Saturday, March 15, 2008

Sour Grapes and Irresponsible Leaders

The General Election has come an d gone and now that the dust has somewhat settled we are beginning to see the true colours of the winners and losers. Heartiest congratulations to PAS/DAP/PKR, the rakyat have now given you the mandate in 5 states and KL. All you need to do now is walk the talk. Do remember who put you there and what it has taken for you to get there yourself. The promise of equality, fairness and good governance in which you have trumpeted throughout your campaign have given us, the rakyat, a semblance of hope that we are indeed 'Malaysia, Truly Asia'.

To the losers, I truly hope that this is an eye opener. It's high time BN take stock of where they stand and come to terms with the fact that they are now dealing with a new breed of electorate. An electorate which has grown and matured. An electorate which can think for themselves and which cannot be blinded by mere promises of luxury and money.

The last couple of days have seen BN leaders react irresponsibly, with statements which are both grossly racial and worse inciting racial disharmony. The protest which was held in Penang yesterday if proof enough that BN Leaders in Penang are spiteful, irresponsible and self serving. I pray and hope that they don't speak for all malays in Penang. The call for retracting all projects funded by the Federal Government in Penang solely because it is now run by DAP is so childish. Kudos to the former Chief Minister (Tan Sri Koh Soo Khoon) in saying that these projects should be carried out despite Penang being governed by DAP.

The onus is now on BN to prove that they are better managers and prove to the electorate that rejected them that they are more capable. Playing the racial card is both obsolete and selfish. I was shocked and disappointed when seasoned MCA/GERAKAN leaders such as Chua Jui Meng and Lim Keng Yaik came out with statements which were biased and racially inclined. We are a nation that is growing and maturing. Racial and religious statements are no longer well received nor accepted by the vast majority who want equal rights and justice for all under the Malaysian sun. We want to live in peace and harmony with all our brothers and sisters in Malaysia. We have proven it by the results of the just concluded general election.

Transparency,Accountability, Good Governance, Fairness and Equality is what we the rakyat demand. Nothing more,nothing less. If DAP/PKR/PAS are able to deliver, so be it. On the other hand if BN are of the impression that they too are able to deliver, the onus is on them to prove it. BN still holds a simple majority in Parliament. They are still in the position to prove that they are able to deliver what the rakyat demands.

However their leaders need to take responsibility in ensuring that race and religion is an issue which cannot and must not be used to further their ambitions. WE the rakyat are of course proud of our ancestry and diversity. It is what makes us as Rakyat Malaysian unique. While we are proud to say that we are Malay, Chinese, Indian,Kadazan, Iban,Dayak and so on we still call ourselves Malaysians. WE the rakyat don't want anybody to be marginalized. All we want is fairness and equality for all.

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