Will Barisan Rakyat please stand up and step forward!
February 20, 2008
By SV Singam
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We the people (actually a few hardworking individuals) have put together a People’s Declaration that identifies what we expect from those who wish to represent us in parliament. Now, we need individuals who are willing to stand by the principles of this Declaration and honestly represent us.
Most of the political parties not aligned with the ruling coalition have already accepted or endorsed the Declaration. But is that enough? In what way is anything different from any other previous election? What is being said or done that stirs the confidence of the Rakyat?
Candidates are dropping out because they are tired of all the internal politicking. Parties are struggling over the allocation of seats. In one glaring region, all attempts at compromise appear to have failed. Is this the rag-tag bunch that will lead us forward to a new era in politics?
There is one reality that we can’t blind ourselves to – the organisational infrastructure of a political party is necessary to launch any meaningful campaign. An informal coalition of individuals will be really hard-pressed to perform against the well-oiled BN machine. So what can the aspiring political parties do to win the confidence and support of the Rakyat?
1. Stand forward and declare that you are part of the Barisan Rakyat.
2. Adopt the People’s Declaration as the cornerstone of your manifesto and campaign.
3. Work sincerely with all members of the Barisan Rakyat without any hidden agenda.
4. Put together a Common Manifesto of the Barisan Rakyat.
5. Design and use a standard banner that carries the logos of ALL Barisan Rakyat parties.
6. Leverage the economies of scale of using common poster and flyer designs.
7. Present a coherent and united People’s Front to the Rakyat and stoke their confidence and fervour.
And then tell me that we have no chance to capture 34% or even 51% of the seats!
Hidup Barisan Rakyat!
February 20, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Dear Haris,
Please do me a favour will you?
Can you whack SV Singham’s head for me? Having come up with this kind of article and he still think negative.
Hey, I will never go to war with a general who has no confident of winning! This is really bad for the moral to the point of depressing. Whatever the outcome of the general election, let’s leave it to the voters to decide.
I really don’t need losers to tell me to deny the BN 2/3 majority or to capture 34% of the seats.
SV,
arianna once offered me a helmet to shield me from the anticipated brickbats over my Hindraf stand.
See if she will oblige you
February 20, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Arianna, my dear, you are delightful. I hope we manage to meet one day.
February 20, 2008 at 5:26 pm
Haris, thanks for the suggestion. I’m a bit of a hard-head so I may not need the protection.
Now, how do we go about whacking the leaders of the almost-BR parties on the head? I suspect that’s a more important target at this time.
February 20, 2008 at 6:53 pm
Haris,
Maybe this might come a little late. But then again better late than never. I have taken what comes below from the career web site of the New Zealand Government. It details stuff like what the tasks and duties migth be for a ajob. It also sets out the skills and knowledge the incubent has to have. And of coures it also sets out the personal qualities sought.
Anyway, in the absence of any standard for Malasyian Politicians, whether ingovernment or the opposition I thought this might prompt some of them into trying to think like this:
Member of Parliament – Tasks and specialisations
Tasks & duties
Members of parliament may do some or all of the following:
listen to and act on behalf of individuals or groups
attend sittings of parliament
study reports, proposals, complaints and petitions
present, debate and vote on new laws and changes to existing ones
sit on select committees to look at bills before they become law
attend meetings and public events
make speeches and give interviews to journalists
be in charge of a ministry or government department
work with various departments, ministries and ministers to develop policy
hold a managerial or administrative position in parliament such as junior or senior whip (the person who manages a party’s MPs).
Member of Parliament – Personal requirements
Skills & knowledge
Members of parliament need to have:
knowledge of political, economic, social and cultural aspects of New Zealand life
knowledge of the region they are representing
knowledge of official parliamentary procedures
excellent communication and listening skills
public-speaking and debating skills
decision-making ability
planning and organisational skills
negotiating skills
skill in interpreting and evaluating information.
Personal qualities
Members of parliament must be able to gain people’s trust, make good judgements and work well under pressure. They must also be motivated, responsible and able to lead others.
Physical requirements
Members of parliament must have clear speech, a tidy appearance and a good level of stamina.
Member of Parliament – How to get into this job
Entry requirements
To become a member of parliament you must be a New Zealand citizen and at least 18 years of age. You must also be registered in an electorate and voted in by the electorate or through inclusion on a party list.
Tertiary education
There are no specific tertiary educational requirements, but a tertiary qualification in law, public policy or economics may be useful.
Training on the job
Useful experience
Work as a local government representative, a union official or delegate, or work for a political party or pressure group is useful for becoming a member of parliament. Any work in economics, law, education or another specialist field is also useful.
Working conditions
Members of parliament work in offices at parliament, and in their own home or regional office. They visit various businesses and organisations, and travel to meetings, press conferences and promotional events in New Zealand and overseas. They may have to be away from home for days at a time.
There is a lot of stress involved, as members of parliament are in a position of high responsibility.
Equipment
Equipment members of parliament use includes general office equipment, especially telephones and faxes, and computers.
Hours
Members of parliament work long and irregular hours, including weekends and evenings
Contact with people
Members of parliament work in a team. They have contact with the public and they interact with other members of parliament, staff and journalists, government departments and interest groups.
Career progression
Members of parliament can progress into senior roles within their caucus (the members of parliament in their party), such as the chairperson of a select committee, party whip, front bench positions, and deputy or party leader.
If the party they belong to is in government, members of parliament can also become parliamentary under-secretaries, ministers outside cabinet or cabinet ministers.
My comments:
I wonder how many of our candidates would fit the skills and knowledge specifications!!
February 21, 2008 at 10:03 am
Paul,
A very good piece of WHAT TO LOOK FOR for People to understanding,
Election is to choose “Public Servant” and not the instrument for Parties!!
Their “Resume” with proven record is another important aspects to look into.
DID THEY DO THEIR JOB?
DID THEY WALK THEIR TALK?
With parachuting and many new first-time runner and lack of track of information and provoking “Anyone except BN” had already let a number of “ah mao and ah gou” (cat & dog) into the show!
However, if a system of independent Legislation, Execution and Monitoring is not there,
even Representative are “OUT of TRACK” they cannot be sacked!!!!!!
IF EC IS NOT INDEPENDENT TO PROVIDE A CLEAN AND FAIR ELECTION, ANY BEST SPECIFICATION IS IN VAIN!!!
IF MSM IS NOT FAIR, A BOYCOTT IS THERE!
THEN, TO IMPOSSIBLE FAIR GE, A BOYCOTT SHOULD EVEN BE THERE!!
ESPECIALLY, IF EVEN EC AND EC HEAD SHOULD BE UNDER LAW CANNOT BE ACTED!!!
ESPECIALLY IF BERSIH IS NOT GOING TO WALK HIS TALK!!
WE HAVE TIME TO PROMOTE THIS SPECIFICATION BY TAKING EC AND EC CHIEF TO COURT UNTIL THEY DO THEIR JOBS!!
Show Malaysians it is a battle worth fighting, or, a battle that People can never win with a cripple and tricky EC!!
February 21, 2008 at 10:10 am
Paul,
If we use the criteria you have provided as a filter, almost all the candidates would have to stand down. That wouldn’t be a bad thing either.
While MPs remain unaccountable, there’s little we can do. That is why we have to get them to commit to becoming accountable, whether it is on a one-by-one basis as the Get-an-MP folks are trying to do or the 50% sweep that the Barisan Rakyat seeks to achieve.