1) The heat is building up in the Kajang by-election. Anwar has started his political guerilla warfare long before nomination day with BN leaders filing police reports in protest. The adrenalin flow from the excitement in this political drama is likely to intensify as the Kajang by-election approaches nomination day.
2) Yesterday took another interesting twist when the once controversial Zaid Ibrahim suddenly appeared in the shadow and announced his intention to join the fray and contest as an independent candidate in the Kajang by-election.
3) Many observers believed that Zaid would not have a fighting chance in the contest. They said Zaid should stay out of the race as he doesn't have the machinery, the network and the influence in Kajang.
4) For Zaid to win or even to garner a mild support would be another flight of fantasy as they predicted that he would fail miserably. His lost would crush and decimate his political stature completely, and that it would be pitiful to see his political career be buried in the Kajang by-election.
5) Another surprise announcement last week was the resignation of Waythamoorthy as Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department citing disappointment with BN failure in implementing policy to upgrade the welfare of the Indian community. Expecting a miracle to happen in nine months is perhaps another flight of fantasy in Malaysian politics.
6) Whether the announcement was another drama and politically motivated is for him to know and for others to find out. Or perhaps this once Hindraf strongman was also entrapped in the politics of fantasy. Some said that Waythamoorthy did not comprehend the dynamics of bureaucracy and blamed BN for his impatience or his own shortcomings. Like they say barking from the outside is lot easier or maybe Waythamoorthy did not bark and bite hard enough while he was on the inside.
7) The Politics of Fantasy have and will continue to dominate the Malaysian political landscape for a long time to come. It's incredulous at how politicians use this phenomenon to their full advantage. Some dubious politicians even condone the modus operandi to flow freely in order to gain political mileage for their own selfish interests and benefits.
8) The height of the politics of fantasy perhaps was when Anwar triggered a major political tremor in the country when he declared that more than 30 BN Parliamentarians would cross over enabling Pakatan to get a simple majority to form a new government.
9) That was in September 16, 2008, which culminated into another ruckus and fantasy. The irony at that time was that even DAP and PAS were also duped and held their hopes high which was later dashed into oblivion.
10) The Kajang Move propounded by Anwar and his cronies in PKR is seen as another attempt to salvage Anwar from his impending sodomy case to sway the people's attention to another politics of fantasy.
11) It's too simplistic to conceive that winning Kajang by-election would make Anwar the Menteri Besar of Selangor (MBS) and make Selangor the launching pad to capture Putrajaya. It could well be another 'sandiwara' just like the September 16 fiasco.
12) In fact, it's just the contrary - it would be daunting for Anwar to become MBS without Khalid Ibrahim's resignation coupled with PAS resistance. Many know that DAP also supports Khalid to stay a put. Even then Anwar still needs to get the royal consent for the appointment.
13) Anwar's gamble in the Kajang Move may have a negative impact on his future political career. It is also seen as a move to strengthen Anwar and his cronies position for the imminent PKR Annual General Assembly where Anwar is vying for the President's post.
14) Some political analysts opined that Pakatan had the best opportunity in PRU13 to take over the federal government but was blown away. It was the chance of a lifetime. It would be a monumental mission for Pakatan to win over the next time around in PRU14. Najib and BN will not drool over or be sitting on their laurels. This is especially so when Najib' transformation programs and national reconciliation agenda is gaining grounds and public support.
15) BN has the machineries, the resources and ample time to amend their faults and weaknesses. Many people-centric programs are being announced and implemented. Like Najib says he feels the pulse of the rakyat and shall improve the delivery systems for the betterment and well beings of the people irrespective of class, race and creed.
16) There are too many variables to be considered before Anwar can become the MBS. It is not a straight forward case and some of the critical variables are beyond Anwar's control. But again Anwar is a master of creation and can get things done with his charm and persuasion.
17) Consider the situation - If Anwar lost his sodomy case after winning the Kajang by-election and becoming the MBS and President of PKR - Anwar would lose his Kajang state seat, he would have to step down as MBS and would lose his Parliament seat, and PKR and Pakatan would be in turmoil. There will be a serious leadership crisis in Selangor and in Pakatan, not to mention the ensuing riots and protests, which shall become the order of the day in the streets of Kuala Lumpur.
18) Political observers said that the more virtuous and responsible path for Anwar and PKR to take is to wait for the outcome of the sodomy case and not to manipulate the case to gain public sympathy and empathy.
19) However, many believe that the Kajang voters are not easily lured with the dissemination of lies and hatred against the government and its leaders, which are taking centre stage in Malaysian politics.
20) Let us all reflect and rethink on the repercussions of the politics of fantasy on our daily lives. The Kajang by-election should be the launching pad for all Malaysians to put our feet firmly on the ground and subscribed to the politics of reality for the sake of peace, progress and prosperity of our beloved nation.
Article contributed by Tengku Rethwan Tengku Mansor
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