Demystifying politics

Exasperated politicians, disinterested populace make an awful concoction

“IT’S now time to govern” — the emphatic words of a journalist-turned-think tanker, who stood as an election candidate, and helped shape the text and context for the opposition from 1998 to 2018. Former editors of Harakah Daily and Rocket are similarly helping the government. The “Rocket” man had actually been employed by several other publications, this newspaper included.

Fast-talking Yeo Bee Yin, plain-speaking Zuraida Kamaruddin and the eloquent Dr Maszlee Malik. Their pace is breathless. The odd “lo” for Bee Yin does enter conversations. It is refreshing, actually — offering diversity to the usual suave, faultless and inscrutable personalities. A piece of unsolicited advice — ignore the sniping. Responding to loose remarks and rancid postings will drain the stamina needed for the full marathon. As for the rest of us, a sensible take is to allow these debutants to govern one full term. Cross-examine them. At the end of their term, brandish your verdict. If, after the sternest of tests, they sail through the election, watch them like a hawk in their second term. Will familiarity persuade them to blur the lines of integrity? Time and occasion could tamper with characters and decision-making.

As for Umno and BN, the opposition sheen may or may not last. If the next election does not catapult them back into office, chances are some of the Umno bigwigs will retreat. New faces, bright Malaysians with an activist streak shall take their place to present the Pakatan government with fright and fight. We long to see two equal, relatively clean platforms compete. That may materialise in the 16th General Election.

Fans of Korean period dramas would frown at the antics of the Soron and Noron factions, loudly protesting and feuding. A Korean king in one of the drama series told himself this: “As I walk this road, I hope I will not be easily exhausted or disappointed.” He was a reformist who introduced public meetings with the peasants to demolish the class system.

Politics is always going to be full blooded. One can aspire to have entirely decent conversations on policy alone. Conversely newer issues are churned out with frightening ease while the intractable problems are not going away in a hurry. Alas, this first year has not been sparkling for both government and opposition.

Communicating in a digital age is challenging for the new government, which surely believes the population to be tuning to fragmented platforms. Quality journalism shall ultimately expand some platforms and diminish others. Is the apparently fragmented media also the cause of the opposition appearing disjointed in articulating its views?

At a glance, Umno, in particular, does appear to be stalling reforms in favour of quick recovery. Race has featured prominently in its pronouncements. As DAP’s battle with presenting a multiracial image persists, the party is being pilloried even more. “Thanks to the DAP”, was a DAP personality’s explainer to Umno’s resilience post-May 2018. Race will remain in the equation for as long as political parties and education are sorted out along communal lines. But do not despair. Rather than be rooted on the sidelines and quibble about politicians’ bloopers, it is what the rest of us do or overlook that is going to shape the nation. It is called empowerment.

Politics is always going to be full blooded.