By Farida Jivamala Ibrahim
___________________________
Please allow me to try to bring sense where a lot of nonsense is going on in our heads, our hearts and our mouths, and all vomited out into blogging space.
I am not speaking from a know-it-all, arrogant stance. Rather, I humbly ask for your attention.
Take a step back from the current scenario which has so many of you crying out for the blood of DAP, PKR and PAS, and regretting your voting them into power in 5 states, in fact 6, but that’s another matter.
Imagine we are the bosses of 5 ‘new’ companies under the flagship of ‘Barisan Rakyat’. ‘Companies’ mean ownership, management, employees, finance, human resources, budget, expenditure, growth, development, profits and losses, audits, property, assets, capital, allowances, cooperation, team work, accountability, integrity, responsibility, wisdom. I could go on and on.
Running a state government or federal government covers essentially the same fundamental aspects but on a much, much larger scale.
People, we chose our employees on 8th March and gave them an open hand to decide how to set up the state company they were assigned to. Our Company rules and regulations were outlined in two documents – ‘The People’s Voice’ and ‘The People’s Declaration’.
Unlike companies, where the CEOS and directors are chosen by owners, the board or by some other means, we the bosses gave permission by our votes for our employees to plan and execute the set-up of their company through negotiation, consensus and goodwill among themselves. We gave them that liberty.
When new people join a company, don’t they need understanding and kindness to find their way around? Won’t they make mistakes in a new environment, especially when they never dreamt such power, leadership roles and responsibility would be thrust upon them?
Most important of all, would they know the calibre, the stance, the motives and the reliability of the ones they are going to work with? Concern about who will be manager and co-workers is natural, what more if you find that your colleague is someone you had worked with before who proved he could not be trusted.
So, in a workplace, especially one starting from scratch, so many issues have to be dealt with. Most of all are the issues of integrity, trust and loyalty. Will everyone stay on board after coming in? Can each person say of the others, “I trust him/her with my life?”
It’s hard for our employees because they know the political culture of this nation has for so long been one of backstabbing, money politics, subversion, sabotage and a propensity to destroy that which is good and honourable and true. Worse still, the business competitor is at the gate, trying to get in and entice.
Who will fall? Who will resist? Who will be the best? And who will be the worst, in fact the enemy within? We really don’t know. The future is unknown. We are working in unknown territory.
Bosses have the power to call to account and to sack without examining where they themselves might have failed the employee. Are we falling into that mould as bosses?
It grieves me to say ‘yes’. We have failed our new employees.
As bosses, we have behaved rather badly. We naively assumed that it would be all systems go from Day 1. We presumed that all our employees fully understood our rules and regulations. We didn’t realize that bitter and resentful ex-employees who won’t acknowledge their own failures want to cause trouble in the most vile and insidious of ways and not give our companies a grace period to get started.
The enemy is messing up big time with some employees’ heads and the MSM has reached a new low with its lowdown reporting filled with lies and racial slants. There is that evil desire to destroy our companies and we, by our words and actions, are helping them.
Let’s be fair as bosses. Let’s recognise that our employees come from all backgrounds, in all shapes and sizes, with different experiences, inclinations and carrying all sorts of emotional garbage ranging from disappointments to even resentment and rage.
On paper (manifestos) , they all look good. At the interviews (ceramah), they passed the tests, avowing to abide by company rules, offering to give their best on the job, willing to learn and to listen to their bosses, etc.
Among some of the seasoned applicants were first-timers to the job market. We the bosses overlooked lack of experience and put our trust in their promises, recognizing that every veteran worker began as a first-timer. We were focused also on grooming the young to take over in years to come.
As much as we want them to excel as employees, we too must excel as bosses, knowing this is a partnership and each must do his or her part.
Change begins with us, the bosses. We must mature and not throw tantrums and overreact. We must be the example of good governance, trustworthy leadership, excellent teamwork, and make sure our rules and regulations are understood, received, accepted and internalised fully top-down.
As bosses, we have the power to train. Let us train our employees well. As bosses we have the power to correct. Let us correct but not belittle.As bosses, we have the power to praise. Let us encourage and give hope.Let us nurture, not destroy.Let us make men out of mice and princes out of toads.Let us turn the impossible into the possible.
Our future, someone said, is not determined by our past. It is determined by what we do today. He also said that it takes 21 days for new habits to be formed. That’s March 29th with March 9th as the starting point.
Will we, the bosses, give our employees the grace period they need to solve issues, to work out their workstations, to embrace change? And will we pledge to help them grow up to be the men and women of honour we believe they can be?
Or are we bent on killing what we gave birth to? Where will Barisan Rakyat go from here? Into the ashes of the past or into a future yet to come?
It’s really up to us. All Of Us.
The People's Parliament 
Bee Nah
March 14, 2008
Beautifully put Faridah, you gave us a different perspective, well like all concerned and caring bosses, guess we are worried that the BIG BAD GOMEN BOYS will capitalise on the current situation and make it worse still, given their past antics.
Further more we the bosses thought we “elected” very competent, professional and reliable representatives, so our expectations were great, that they will be high performers.
We expected that all nitty gritties will be discussed behind closed doors and are disappointed at the bickering. That being said, we waited 50 years for this, we’ll wait to see all our YBs perform and we are confident that they will perform well. After all we placed our trust in them.
ys
March 14, 2008
Good food for thought! Very, very well written Farida!
kahwangc
March 14, 2008
Dear Farida,
You echoed my sentiments. sometimes bloggers got carried away and thought that the rakyat are not only bosses but also gods that demanded for the political parties to do exactly what these gods wanted. just imagine all the vulgar words used in certain blogs.
by the way, bloggers don’t represent all the rakyat that voted in the oppositions. i for one, voted for the opposition but this got nothing to do with the bloggers.
klchan
March 14, 2008
Well said. Hear ye hear ye. We should all stand back and let them do their jobs as well as they can. If they falter lets give them a helping hand. Its no easy marriage, we chose them we must nurture them with constructive criticisms and words of encouragement. Pls dear commentators no more bickering abt race…who has more seats and wht not….the BN fellas are out to create hell for them lets refrain lah
klchan
KShan
March 14, 2008
Thank you, Faridah for a well written article that carries such calming effect!!
Ricky
March 14, 2008
I was thinking on the same line but was not that fluent to write it out.
You did it Farida. Thanks
We must continue to support our employees for now and only judge them when their actual works are in progress.
arianna
March 14, 2008
Dear Haris,
All this ruckus that I read about PKR, PAS, DAP and their problematic first step toward forming a coalition govt, is nothing compared to what Parti Bersatu Sabah went through when it toppled BN/Berjaya in 1985/86.
You people in Semenanjung are immature lah. Easily agitated.
We in Sabah saw riots in the street for several days, perpetrated by Usno/Berjaya. Not to mention the failed coup de’etat by the BN backed Tun Mustapha (deceased) and Harris Salleh (Berjaya) in 1985..
How did we Sabahans overcame it? We gave PBS a thumping victory when the party called for re election in 1986.
Simply kicked out Umno/Berjaya/BN during that re-State election. Of course, BN treated us like Kelantan, withholding development projects and so on but then again, every dog has its day.
Last March 8, BN was punished for what the leaders did to Sabah and Kelantan. Hmnn..sweet revenge.
You supporters of Barisan Rakyat, PKR, DAP, PAS in Semenanjung, stop treating PAS/PKR/DAP like your enemies. Give them a chance to carry on the business of governing.
Our foes are the Umno-led BN or have you forgotten? Sure, we won the war but the battle has just began. The BN are still the federal government.
So stop being panicky and judgemental. Don’t play to BN’s tune. Let’s welcome the new five state governments under PKR,PAS,DAP.
arriana,
Thanks for sharing your E. Malaysian experience with us
Matha.Myer
March 14, 2008
Totally agree with you. I was getting rather put off by the volume of bashings of the “new employee” by the netizens these last few days. Give the new employees time to settle down. As the saying goes, “Rome was not built in a day”.
RealGunners
March 14, 2008
It’s great to find an enlightened soul as you. To be honest, i got pretty much disappointed with certain bloggers for the manner in which they responded to BR’s initial problems. I had thought that the bloggers are different from AAB&Co in taking a non-racial stand, but the way some of them whacked LKS for his outburst suggested that they still very much embrace the very idea of Kerismuddin and KJ (Ketuanan Melayu). Its kinda disappointing when all the faults seems to be with DAP. PAS jumped gun in Perak in the first place to be honest, and i don’t see any blames on it. Anyway, we’re all in it together. Nobody is perfect. LKS is wrong to make disrespectful statements to the Sultan, but we also know what PAS is capable of doing based on what happened in Terengganu during it’s reign. Mutual trust and understanding takes time to build up upon, so let’s give ourselves chances to screw up and repent and go forward. I’m sure given sufficient time, the BR coalition will work out well. And I’m pretty sure we’ll be miles better than a certain Barisan Notorious.
Jarod
March 14, 2008
Thanks Farida for the wonderful description on our current issues that had been bothering some of us. I am delighted to see the whole picture! I would like to let more people read and let them think about our BR.! Bravo! Keep it up!
behsaikong
March 14, 2008
My gratitude for this wisdom. As voters for change we need to be calm and patient. And reasonable. Five even six days after the elections isn’t a long time. Real politics involves representation of respective constituents and political parties do need to somewhat reflect the sentiments of their voters. But their voters are never homogenous. In speaking up for one section of the voters you inevitably offend others. There is need for a lot of negotiations with your coalition partners and sometimes communications within the coalition isn’t enough. Thus, some things said are also meant for onlookers and outside ears. Be that as it may, the loud criticisms and scorns poured out on the key political players also play a role to ensure that a workable settlement is achieved sooner rather than later. So with everybody playing their respective roles, we have TOUCHDOWN! Reform and change is still very much alive and certainly very much on course. Congratulations to all players.
Patriotic1994
March 14, 2008
The difference of Good Boss Bad Boss and Good Employee and Bad Employee:
1. Good Boss scold when employee make mistake, then forgive when employee learned. Bad Boss let employee get away with it.
2. Good Employee respect the boss, learn mistake and improve all the way. Bad Employee ignore the boss.
ChineseButMalaysian1st
March 14, 2008
Lots of Appreciation for this very enlightened piece! Thanks and pls continue to help us all with your well-reasoned thinking…our Country needs this.
The Ancient Mariner
March 14, 2008
Great article, Farida.
Unlike some blogger friends I refused to jump in the LKS bashing bandwagon. We have to give them some leeway and room to find their sea legs, as we sailors say. We have given them our trust so lets have some trust in them.
Malay Women in Malaysia
March 14, 2008
Sorry to say that I have no faith whatsoever in this so called Barisan Rakyat after that awful incident in Perak. 😦
The only victory worth celebrating is the knowledge of knowing that we have denied Barisan Nasional their two-third majority. Other than that, we are back to square one!
Rastaman.JB.
March 14, 2008
Dear Harris,
A good write with lots of bite from Faridah !
It is best to wait for 100 days and see what happens.
Its akin to an arranged marriage….probing,groping and blinking at least, for the first few days !!!!
We will have almost 48mths to see if they deliver what they promised…..otherwise….hmmm…lets throw dem devils out.
BR
Rastaman (JB)
spiritual_soul
March 14, 2008
Just one word to describe what you wrote Faridah. Absolutelyfantasticallyfabulous oops. Politics ewwwww complicated indeed but still i’d like to see it as only black or white, good or evil, love or hatred, rich or poor, truth or lies, sincere & honest or fake & multiple faces etc etc ehhh not bad i can go on and on and on as well lol.
And all of us BRs, we need to keep faith, be strong and be positive. This journey won’t be that smooth. All the way bumpy. Lots of road blocks, loopholes (no wonder Samy got voted out) and unknown obstacles.
We can only learn by making mistakes. After all we’re only human. So are our BR leaders. But positively, if we do not go through bitterness and pain, how could we possibly understand the meaning of joy and happiness? Have we not gotten enough pain from BN? Do we need more pain among ourselves?
So BRs, at any possible time, we need to keep our spirits high and we can only do it by sticking together
ps: could someone tell the fallen leaders of BN not to fake those smiles on all medias and stop trying to figure out why they lost tremendously? The answer is simple. The rules of cause = effect which is karma. Oh gawd, i’ve been watching too many movies
Jim
March 14, 2008
Haris, you tried to get the big guns of PKR, DAP, PAS, etc for a “Meet the Rakyat” session before the 838. Now that the “Barisan Rakyat” appears to be somewhat in disarray, it is timely to consider such a session again. I am inclined to believe that what we saw over the last few days are tremors which should be expected, and which will work themselves out. Indeed, let us have faith in the Barisan Rakyat, but we on our part, must guide the development from hereon as well.
I wish to propose that you and fellow bloggers organise a session with the top leaders of PKR, DAP, PAS, etc (ie we must insist that Anwar, Azizah, Guan Eng, Kit Siang, Hadi, Nik Aziz, etc must come and hear out the Rakyat, on the basis that they have endorsed and accepted the People’s Voice and the People’s Declaration.
The main objective of the session shall be to ask them as to when and how they intend to formalise the Barisan Rakyat.
Barisan Nasional is already irrelevant, but there is a chance that they may reinvent themselves (which I believe is an unlikely outcome; and even if they do, I believe the reinvention will likely be limited). We do not want the Barisan Nasional to reinvent before the Barisan Rakyat; ie we must see to it that the Barisan Rakyat formalises itself as immediately as possible, so that it places itself way way ahead of the Barisan Nasional.
For the Barisan Rakyat, they can consider 2 options:
+ Option 1: To formalise the alliance immediately such that upon winning the General Election 13, they shall move towards effecting a pre-planned merger process; hence, the next 5 years is intended as an engagement period, so that they can have time to get comfortable with each other, and address necessary issues.
+ Option 2: To formalise the alliance immediately such that a merger is effected before the General Election 13.
In any case, the merger process shall include a “pre-nuptial agreement” such that in the event the relevant parties find the merger unpalatable, they can get back to their original form. This will not only give comfort to members to the said political parties that they may eventually lose out, but will also assure some apprehensive members of the Rakyat to feel assured that in the event things do not work out, status quo can be returned.
In short, please organise a session which we can call “Formalising the Barisan Rakyat: When and How?” (or something like that), with the objective to getting the relevant parties commit to formalisation. The said session shall also enable the Rakyat and Barisan Rakyat to engage and make sense of 838, as well as figure out as to the strategies ahead.
One thing for certain, whether Option 1 or Option 2, or any other option which can be worked out, we must insist that post-formalisation, there shall only be the portrayal of one Barisan Rakyat and no more PKR, DAP, PAS, etc. (Barisan Nasional becomes only visible just before and during the elections period, whereas post-elections, UMNO, MCA, MIC, etc gets back into the picture again; and this should not be the way.) PKR, DAP, PAS, etc can become caucuses within the Barisan Rakyat, and should work issues out amongst themselves before making announcements, including having relevant spokespersons (ie we do not want to hear in the MSM, web, etc that PKR said this, DAP believes in this, PAS wants to do this, etc).
Hope you will consider this proposition, and get down to this very quickly.
Thanks.
Jim
March 14, 2008
Haris, please use the following Amended Blog; amendment made to the second sentence of paragraph 7: “This will not only give comfort to members to the said political parties that if things go wrong, status quo can be returned, but will also assure some apprehensive members of the Rakyat to feel assured that in the event things do not work out, their interests will still be protected by the pre-merger parties.”
Thanks.
Amended Blog
“Haris, you tried to get the big guns of PKR, DAP, PAS, etc for a “Meet the Rakyat” session before the 838. Now that the “Barisan Rakyat” appears to be somewhat in disarray, it is timely to consider such a session again. I am inclined to believe that what we saw over the last few days are tremors which should be expected, and which will work themselves out. Indeed, let us have faith in the Barisan Rakyat, but we on our part, must guide the development from hereon as well.
I wish to propose that you and fellow bloggers organise a session with the top leaders of PKR, DAP, PAS, etc (ie we must insist that Anwar, Azizah, Guan Eng, Kit Siang, Hadi, Nik Aziz, etc must come and hear out the Rakyat, on the basis that they have endorsed and accepted the People’s Voice and the People’s Declaration.
The main objective of the session shall be to ask them as to when and how they intend to formalise the Barisan Rakyat.
Barisan Nasional is already irrelevant, but there is a chance that they may reinvent themselves (which I believe is an unlikely outcome; and even if they do, I believe the reinvention will likely be limited). We do not want the Barisan Nasional to reinvent before the Barisan Rakyat; ie we must see to it that the Barisan Rakyat formalises itself as immediately as possible, so that it places itself way way ahead of the Barisan Nasional.
For the Barisan Rakyat, they can consider 2 options:
+ Option 1: To formalise the alliance immediately such that upon winning the General Election 13, they shall move towards effecting a pre-planned merger process; hence, the next 5 years is intended as an engagement period, so that they can have time to get comfortable with each other, and address necessary issues.
+ Option 2: To formalise the alliance immediately such that a merger is effected before the General Election 13.
In any case, the merger process shall include a “pre-nuptial agreement” such that in the event the relevant parties find the merger unpalatable, they can get back to their original form. This will not only give comfort to members to the said political parties that if things go wrong, status quo can be returned, but will also assure some apprehensive members of the Rakyat to feel assured that in the event things do not work out, their interests will still be protected by the pre-merger parties.
In short, please organise a session which we can call “Formalising the Barisan Rakyat: When and How?” (or something like that), with the objective to getting the relevant parties commit to formalisation. The said session shall also enable the Rakyat and Barisan Rakyat to engage and make sense of 838, as well as figure out as to the strategies ahead.
One thing for certain, whether Option 1 or Option 2, or any other option which can be worked out, we must insist that post-formalisation, there shall only be the portrayal of one Barisan Rakyat and no more PKR, DAP, PAS, etc. (Barisan Nasional becomes only visible just before and during the elections period, whereas post-elections, UMNO, MCA, MIC, etc gets back into the picture again; and this should not be the way.) PKR, DAP, PAS, etc can become caucuses within the Barisan Rakyat, and should work issues out amongst themselves before making announcements, including having relevant spokespersons (ie we do not want to hear in the MSM, web, etc that PKR said this, DAP believes in this, PAS wants to do this, etc).
Hope you will consider this proposition, and get down to this very quickly.
Thanks.”
Paul Warren
March 14, 2008
When we punish our child for a wrong, it is not that we hate them. We love them.
I got a mouth full from a VIP friend when the LKS issue was first reported in Malaysiakini. Like as if I am a party member or king maker or something. I needed to remind LKS that he is not opposition here. He is government! so I would like to think I was constructive.
Well, if anyone can put up their hands to claim that they rode their bicycle straight and without falling the first time they got on it, maybe they can throw stones at the BR team then.
One thing I’d like to highlight though. This whole episode would not have unravelled that badly if only the Peoples’ Voice and Peoples’ Declaration had been around a whole lot earlier. It is that one document that can bring all parties together and it does provide the basis for all of them to work together.
I sincerely hope they will all sit down together and read the Peoples’ Voice and Peoples’ Declaration and allow it to provide them the common basis upon which they can work together.
If they don’t do it first and miss the opportunity, the BN might just take a look at it and find the wisdom in it and use that to reinvent themselves. Do the BR want that to happen? As Bangsa Malaysia and someone who supports the efforts of PP it does not matter to me.
benjo
March 14, 2008
I have been a corporate man for a very long time. Had hundreds of staff reporting to me. You’re absolutely right about this. If we keep jumping at the very first instance without knowing the basis/reasons/etc for a decision/actions and adding pressure at every single move of the BR reps, they will end up not being able to initiate anything or do anything on their own. They too have to learn with mistakes and a little trial and error. We should guide them, suggest, advice, etc. Some have them still need mentoring from outside. We are not short of them as well. people like RPK, Haris Ibrahim, etc are all so fantastic. Whilst we want them to serve us, we do not want them to be our puppets as well. They can’t please everyone. What is important is watch over them and also not forgetting to pray for ‘wisdom’ for our voted/selected leaders. BN had 50 years, these guys just had about a week. They are already facing the pressure from the BN so it will be good if we can give a little more understanding and some breathing space.lets be their guardian angel and not be MIC/MCA/Gerakan/UMNO or LKY and the likes.
travic
March 14, 2008
Praying against hope that these guys (we) can deny BN a 2/3 majority, did that not only happened but they(we)also wrestled 5 states along with them (us)! Please do not for a moment take this for granted nor ever assume that to do so is child’s play! Indeed, it is really a statement of sorts, saying that the rakyat has had enough!
For the rakyat to have said that we have had enough (against BN) really must mean that we have really been streched!
Do we really now hope or believe that we can easily undo all the evils and damage done by the predecessors (after having stretched us so much)? If only it were that easy…
When the ‘we’ comprises of a NEW ‘tripartite’ coalition, there surely must be plenty of teething problems! Indeed, teething problems are part and parcel of a maturing process. ‘Milk teeth’ must be there for a good number of years before we get to see a ‘mature dental’ line up!
So, thanks Farida for echoing these concerns. I really think that it is naive of us to think that PKR-DAP-PAS would have it all made so quickly! Please grow up and give these guys some space and time to iron out these matters. If they really can’t get their act together by the next elections, do the necessary! Vote them out lah! After all, we are the employers! Makkal Sakthi!
cherwith
March 14, 2008
Well said Faridah! Very well said….
Jayanath
March 15, 2008
Dear Farida,
Thanks a million for the balanced perspective.
We will not give up on Bangsa Malaysia.
The Barisan Rakyat must be allowed to “grow” under the loving guidance of the “bosses”.
Cheers
Awangngah
March 15, 2008
I certainly agree with Farida on the Boss/Employee analogy, but what would happen to the morale of the employees if they are exposed to the bickerings and power struggle among the top management, and they see that the bosses just watch and do nothing?
Do you think that the employees would dare butt in to stop the fights among the top management? Don’t you think that they would feel relieved that the bosses intervened so as to stop the bickering so that everyone of them can continue their work? This is just not any ordinary bickering…..one of which involves respect for the Sultanate of Perak.
Just because bosses is not supposed to interfere in management, doesn’t mean that they should just stand by and see their dirty linen being washed in public. If the bosses didn’t interfere as they did, would you deny the fact that there exist a possibility that the bickering could have gone out of hand to a point which will anger the Sultan? Would you take a chance to see if by then, the Umnoputra is not going to play on racial sentiment and call on all the Malays to retaliate against those who have shown disrespect for the Malay Sultanate? Would you take that risk just because of the principle that the bosses should not interfere with management?
If you want to equate it to running a business, we are currently definitely not operating in a stable economic situation, but in an economic crisis. Management during these two opposite economic climate requires different skills and level of intervention by the bosses. Bosses shouldn’t prescribe similar strategy during all economic conditions, lest they want to risk seeing their companies being placed under PN17.
Just trying to see the other side of the coin….
Richy
March 15, 2008
It’s true, very true. There is a saying ” A known devil is better than an unknown angel”, all of us were prepared to take a risk, thinking no matter how worse an angel would still be better than a devil. Alas, it looks like we were wrong; they are some angels(devils) waiting to destroy us.
My sincere hope and thoughts for now:
Think positive, Expect positive and Have faith in God
Ben
March 15, 2008
Well done Farida. I move that all the bosses grant all employees a grace period of 100 days from the date of employment(taking office). During such period we, as boss, will tolerate, support, motivate and encourage. Upon the completion of this 100 days, a report card will be made available for public scrutiny. The bosses will appraise the performance and ake recommendations acordingly. The standards of performance expected will those that have already been mutually agreed in Our Company rules and regulations as outlined in two documents – ‘The People’s Voice’ and ‘The People’s Declaration’. All aye’s……all nay’s. Its unaminous, aye’s overcome nay’s and the motion is passed in this seating of People’s Parliament on this day of our Lord, 15th March 2008. Hear ye, hear ye, the people have spoken. Godspeed to all honourable employees. Please do your best.
Woshimaren
March 15, 2008
I agree, we really need to cut these guys some slack.
One week into the piece and you’ve got bloggers already ready to cut off their heads. Perhaps the latter also have ‘power issues’ of their own, do you think, perhaps, maybe?
There are real tough concerns underlying all of this, race, religion, policies. You can’t gloss over these with euphoria and feel-good sentiment.
My quarrel is this piece is too reasoned and subtle.
We, the rakyat, are in the mood for blood and with no BN to bash (they’re tied up in knots as well) we’ll feed on each other.
clearwater
March 15, 2008
It is now clear both BR and BN will have their hands full dealing with the new political equation. It is naive to believe problems will be resolved expeditiously as there are many aggrieved individuals with personal agendas out to cause mischief.This is a time for mature leadership and restraint.Let us have faith in our leaders from both sides of the political divide. Let them do their job.If either side falls short, we the people know what to do come GE13.
pavlova
March 15, 2008
We probably should demand a formal apology from the BN people… UMNO, MIC, MCA etc…
For all the wrong doings in the past…
It might not look like something that is significant, but it’s a milestone for the nation… the healing process can begin there…
If Helen Clark (NZ PM) and Kevin Rudd (Aus PM) did it, there must be a good reason why they did it.
beezie136
March 15, 2008
http://www.harlemharangue.wordpress.com
Anon28
March 15, 2008
Yeah, Pollyanna, yeah.
Sharing
March 15, 2008
As Employers
Do we know how far PAS-DAP-PKR can work without 1/2 of the Parliament Seats to amend Constitution & Laws to get the Reform of Government and Systems?
How far People’s Declaration can be done under such circumstances?
How much the Manifesto of those Parties can be done?
When ACA, Courts and many other authorities are still under BN!
If all of these are not being reviewed and taking those Declaration, Manifestos as a mean for Performance checking,
Will Rakyats be happy to continue with BR in GE13?
Had Bersih achieved anything of a Clean & Fair GE?
So, should Rakyats take their called for RCER?
Or should Oppositions do the job?
Had BR been Rational as Helene demands all the way or had been silent to allow PKR parachuting Candidates into every corners!
Can we see a more Rational BR with rational analysis of where we are and what can we head from now on to GE13!
myop101
March 15, 2008
Dear Farida,
You made a good point there. We, as bosses, are also quite new at our new found roles. Previously, we were non-executive bosses where the previous management employees told us to stick with them or else all hell break loose.
I guess we too, have much to learn in our new executive roles.
To Barisan Rakyat, I am sorry for over-reacting.
EdChoo
March 15, 2008
I totally agree with your analogy. But a lot of the bosses out there seem to think that change can come instantly. They whine, complaint, throw tantrums and discourage very easily. They are intolerant, impatient and too inward looking. They need to grow up big time and look at the grander picture. You are talking about governing a state. Each with a estimated population ranging from 600,000 to 3,000,000 people. That’s intense and mind numbing.
Try putting yourself in their positions. If it were me, I would already be paralysed and shitting myself senseless.
Give it some thought. There is always order in chaos. The more we persevere and steady ourselves, the more things will fall into order.
Gan
March 15, 2008
Thank you Faridah.
Hopefully, the LKS bashing will stop and allow the DAP/PKR/PAS coalition’s full concentration on issues that are more important.
It’s a tough job as new management when you are saddled with 50 year’s of mis-management.
Please give them a break please … the verbal abuse (and even your vote after 48 months) can start if they should stumble and fall after their probation.
On behalf of the DAP/PKR/PAS coalition, I thank you for your undertanding and a little bit of patience.
JL
March 15, 2008
The CM of Penang,MB of Selangor, Kedah and Kelantan and I thing that includes the MB of Perak are smart fellows. But not some of the guys below them. But not to worry we hired good CEO and they will manage even if some of the lesser fellow failed. So give the latter less important job and let them work their way out from opposing-to-governing. Have faith in your leaders.
ivansim
March 15, 2008
As most have put it – very well put.
To all brothers and sisters – cool it. We may have been too emotional and perhaps a bit irrational.
When I first read about the LKS and the Perak issue, also like majority was very dissapointed and felt depressed. Almost went ballistic and almost added to all those bile and rubbish in LKS site. Glad I did not now.
Have stopped reading the MSM or watched any of the umno controlled TV news for years and think will also stop reading all those blogs that have sprung up now as cannot tell fact from fiction now.
But after going through so many of the blogs and what was written and the comments – I think someone should link them all to what Faridah has written here and take a more objective view and let’s not be so emotional. And maybe stop reading so much into what is written as so much spin and counter spin now we really cannot be sure what is the truth now.
Matt Ong
March 16, 2008
My blog address is http://truearsenalfan.blogspot.com. Please spread this address to everyone you know so that others will know that I too support Barisan Rakyat. By the way, thanks for autographing my Barisan Rakyat t-shirt. It’s an awesome privilege.
mekyam
March 16, 2008
Hear.. Hear.. Farida!
Wonderful to hear your kind of voice of reason – passionate yet rational.
We Malaysians obviously need a whole new attitude and mentality to go with our newly reclaimed democracy.
Just because we decided to finally stop being sheep, we don’t have to be jackals now, surely.
That said, I also feel that some of our frontline SOPO bloggers need to be more circumspect in the way they report or talk about current events. Now that they know for certain their voice carries weight, it behoves them to be more discriminating and act even more responsibly in this fragile period of transition.
Thank you again Haris and PP contributors like Farida, SV and Helen for making this site one of the few havens in the wake of the tsunami.
Paul Warren
March 16, 2008
(http://thestar.com.my/election/story.asp?file=/2008/3/16/election2008/20663036&sec=Election2008)
That link to The Star takes you to the statement made by PAS’ vice-president Datuk Husam Musa, “PAS certain it can set up Islamic federal govt soon”.
This statement is just another of those that can very quickly disengage those of us who came out and engaged PAS.
By his own reckoning if the reverse was to apply, PAS members who supported and voted DAP approve of bars and pubs in every nook and corner, casinos and gaming machines, alcohol served in every other coffee shop and so on.
Farida, yes I know I need to give them time. But instead of trying to ride the bicycle that I give my child, if my child is trying to give away or sell the bicycle. Give him time? Or do I stop it from happening immediately? (I have further elaborated on this statement by Husam Musa.
Paul,
Star published a correction this morning. http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/3/16/nation/20663036&sec=nation
Husam did not make the statement.
Shall be blogging about this shortly
SV Singam
March 16, 2008
Paul wrote… “I sincerely hope they will all sit down together and read the Peoples’ Voice and Peoples’ Declaration and allow it to provide them the common basis upon which they can work together.
If they don’t do it first and miss the opportunity, the BN might just take a look at it and find the wisdom in it and use that to reinvent themselves. Do the BR want that to happen? As Bangsa Malaysia and someone who supports the efforts of PP it does not matter to me.”
I agree. What does it matter whether it is BR or BN?
If the BN component parties can reinvent themselves and adopt the People’s Declaration as their manifesto, I will support them.
In the long term, what I would like to see in place is two almost equally strong groupings striving to win the support of the rakyat. The rakyat can choose between them depending on performance and delivery. Then we will have a true democracy in place.
Who says dreams don’t come true?
Moderator
March 16, 2008
3 ekor gagak hitam diatas tiang lampu…
Gagak hitam basah
ditimpa hujan
awan mendung
rintik merempuh dinding flat usang
Tiga ekor gagak bertengek
diatas wayar
tiang lampu milik ‘gomen’
gagak hitam berborak
berborak-borak
isu politik nasional
bahang musim pilihanraya
selepas membuang undi
4 negeri bertukar tangan.
gagak pertama:
“aku tegar menyokong pemerintah
selama-lamanya. kerajaan ini banyak berjasa, kalian tahu apa?”
gagak kedua:
“sehingga mampus, aku sesekali tidak akan menyokong kerajaan rasuah ini.
kerajaan zalim ini tidak dapat undi aku. barang naik tanpa henti. gaji aku
cukup makan.”
gagak ketiga: (hanya terdiam. sesekali mengangguk-anggukkan paruhnya.
diam seekor gagak menyimpan rasa. bersuara bila perlu)
petir berdentam dentum
guruh keras
kilat sabung menyabung.
Tiga ekor gagak masih bertenggek
gagak-gagak hitam
melihat arus perubahan
melanda daerah mereka.
Gagak hitam pertama terus bersuara
lantang
menyakitkan hati.
Gagak kedua
tidak kurang keras
sekali-sekala
mencarut-carut.
Gagak ketiga
diam.
berjaga-jaga.
bersedia.
(errr…ada lagi…belum habis lagi nih. Nak tahu apa terjadi kepada 3 ekor gagak tersebut, jom masuk blog saya.)
http://theindiestory.blogspot.com
*Tuan Lawyer Haris Ibrahim, cukup 3 bulan saya hantar cek untuk bayaran iklan. hehehe
A true Malaysian
March 16, 2008
Faridah,
Very good article indeed. Every Malaysian should read this. To me, Mr. Lim Kit Siang is someone who many people ‘mis-understood’. Lim Kit Siang is definitely not a racist but a ‘true Malaysian’. He has sacrificed so much for democracy of Malaysia and I am glad to see many Malaysians go for Malaysian Malaysia in the just concluded 12th GE.
DAP really need more people like you, Haris Ibrahim, RPK, Farish, Imtiaz and the like minded Malays to help in correcting the Malays’ wrong perception that DAP or Lim Kit Siang are only care about Chinese rights.
Perhaps you guys should seriously think of joining DAP? I am sure you guys will be welcomed with open arms.
farida
March 16, 2008
To all those who have written in: Thank you. I am filled with joy.
It’s so heartening that we can learn from one another, that we have a teachable spirit, that we’re willing to shift our positions. That includes me, folks.
Myop101, you summarised it for many of us when you said : To Barisan Rakyat, I am sorry for over-reacting.
‘Sorry’ is such a good word. We’re in this for the long haul and we will succeed because we have humble hearts.
I respect former Penang chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon for what he did despite his loss. He took the new chief minister on a familiarisation tour of the office, not easy for someone reeling from defeat. He also called for cooperation to enable the new government to get on with its work. What a statesman! I suspect he did it out of love for Penang.
The other BN stalwarts need to learn from him how to behave – with humility and dignity in loss, with modesty in victory.
farida
March 16, 2008
To all those who have written in: Thank you. I am so relieved.
It’s so heartening that we can learn from one another, that we have a teachable spirit, that we’re willing to shift our positions. That includes me, folks.
Myop101, you summarised it for many of us when you said : To Barisan Rakyat, I am sorry for over-reacting.
‘Sorry’ is such a good word. We’re in this for the long haul and we will succeed because we have humble hearts.
I respect former Penang chief minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon for what he did despite his loss. He took the new chief minister on a familiarisation tour of the office, not easy for someone reeling from defeat. He also called for cooperation to enable the new government to get on with its work. I suspect he did it out of love for Penang.
What a statesman! He is a ray of light in that dark, embittered BN camp. A pity the other BN stalwarts won’t learn from him how parliamentarians should behave – with humility and dignity in loss, with modesty in victory.
ps.nathan
March 16, 2008
With a recent report where Lim Kit Siang claimed that the DAP never signed the Peoples Declaration, I am really confused!…Did Ronnie Liu really do it in his Personal capacity at the Blog House?
This needs to be clarified before the Barisan Rakyat can move forward…
Laksarian
March 17, 2008
Mr. Warren, you should know better than to believe what you read on the mainstream media.