YOURSAY | ‘There’s no secret to BN’s success. They have the means and currency to motivate.’
Emulate BN's secret for success to defeat BN, Dr M tells opposition
Clever Voter: There will be people who will throw brickbats at Dr Mahathir Mohamad each time he says something.
As the longest-serving PM, he could have done better for the nation but there were too many compromises as there was a need to maintain racial harmony.
It’s not fair to accuse the opposition for their shortcomings, but we have seen objectively how well they have done in the states of Penang and Selangor. Diversity of interests, often at opposite ends, is hard and sometimes impossible to reconcile.
Anyone could judge how the BN government has run down whatever there is left in the cash tills, from federal to district agencies.
Recent cases of corruption at middle-level management tell you the dearth of ethical leadership. Dr M should lead the agenda of the opposition which is straightforward - reverse the rot and be assertive in getting rid of rent-seekers.
It cannot get any worse. This is the morally right thing to do.
Alunan Ombak: Yes, Mahathir, let all opposition parties be united to oust PM Najib Abdul Razak's regime in Putrajaya.
In other words, Dr M is saying: Learn from the fact that a bundle of bamboos tied together will be stronger than a solitary bamboo stick.
So, let's get united. There is no turning back. It's now or never.
JBond: What Mahathir does not realise is that BN is dominated by Umno, the other parties are only wallflowers.
Whereas the opposition now consists of parties that have their own grassroots support, so no one party or leader can dominate.
Sarawakian: Jbond, in the early days of BN, MIC and MCA were no wallpaper parties. So what you say is not strictly true.
I feel that opposition chances would be much better in GE14 if contesting under a common symbol. With this, the racial and party lines get blurred.
Imagine what would happen if BN were to contest under individual parties. Would Chinese in Malay-majority areas like to be reminded they are voting for Umno?
Likewise, the Chinese bogeyman would not be so noticeable if DAP is to contest under Pakatan Harapan’s symbol. Ditto Amanah to dispel any PAS links.
Spinnot: Unity doesn't work all the time. In Sabah, a united BN was defeated by five-month-old party, PBS, in 1985. Subsequently, more illegal immigrants were allegedly granted citizenship to vote.
But PBS still won with a tiny majority in 1994 and had to be brought down by the defection of two of its assemblypersons. The opposition still has a lot to learn.
Rightan: It looks like everybody wants to be a hero in his own right. Just look at Sabah or the Indian-based political parties or hundreds of NGOs, most of them only made up of only a few personalities.
Appum: Actually, BN has only one boss and the rest are ‘macai’ (stalwart supporters). Harapan is made up of equal partners so everyone wants a say.
So, Mahathir, what do you want? Bersatu, the new kid in the block, wants to be the boss? Equal partners cannot work together? We know who should be boss and it's certainly not Bersatu.
Mechi: Dr M is a strategist and a thinker. Najib is all about hubris and using nation's wealth to allegedly enrich himself and his cronies. How long can this go on?
This all-encompassing ‘One Opposition United Party’ is the harbinger for a two-party system, a much-needed system.
Analliar: There’s no secret to BN’s success. It’s easy for them to unite because they have the means and the currency to motivate. Besides it is controlled by the party which controls all the resources.
Also, Mahathir should not make it difficult for Harapan to accommodate Bersatu. You have only one MP and no one knows your supporters. Yet you want to lead, to change the coalition’s name and to call the shots.
How do we know Bersatu won't return to Umno once the opposition win?
Ksn: Please remember that this man who ruled for 22 years, has ‘bastardised’ - not my choice of word - the New Economic Policy (NEP).
If it was implemented as it was intended, without regard to race and religion but poverty, all Malaysians would be having a better life economically and live in harmony.
Alas, we were deprived of that opportunity by Mahathir. The opposition must keep him away, shun him and his new party if they know what is good for them.
Beh Tahan: Well, if the opposition cannot be united, the other only option, logically, is to cause disunity among BN.
Pro-Najib portal: 'King of hijack' Dr M's next target is Harapan
Crucify Me But, Not My Beloved Country: Mahathir had helmed the nation 22 years. Although not perfect, it was in that period Malaysia enjoyed the fastest growth in its development and the nation was recognised by the world communities as a promising developing nation. Under Najib, what has Malaysia achieved?
So Harapan, in the absence of Anwar Ibrahim and deprived of his dynamic leadership, was heading nowhere. We should be thankful, Mahathir is God-sent.
Yes, he made mistakes, and yes, he was a dictator, but he repented and even offered to be tried for his misdeeds, after he and his coalition partners get rid of kleptocracy and take over Putrajaya.
So, what is so wrong if he showed leadership again?
Land of Dedak Eaters: At the age of 92 years, Mahathir is doing it because he knows he screwed up and is trying to right the terrible wrongs and sins and corruption raining down on this failed state.
I admire him for that and I am not pro or against Dr M, just pro this country. If all you scared cats, sit back and do nothing, there will be nothing left in this country.
681 Porky Pies: It doesn't matter who is hijacking whom as long as we can oust Malaysian Official 1 (MO1).
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