FOURTH OPTION
Gerakan remains at the crossroad. Gerakan is kind of lost, in deciding its future.
Out of sudden, it seems the leaders (if not all, majority) are supporting the pull out. This issue remains a “hit topic” among the Gerakan’s members.
However, from the personal observation of VoiceOfPolitics, the on-going discussion has lost its rationality.
Especially when those leaders who muted their mouth or reluctant to support the pull out in the past, now they have openly announce their “personal views“. Their intentions, are “clear” enough.
This topic has now become a “tool”, for the leaders (precisely ‘candidates in the coming party election’) to fish for the votes, rather than a constructive discussion.
Some said, at this crossroad Gerakan has three options, includes to stay in Barisan Nasional, or to join Pakatan Rakyat, or to become the Third Force.
However, VoiceOfPolitics has the fourth option for Gerakan, which can be concurrently exist with other options. That is for Gerakan to merge with other Barisan Nasional’s multiracial political parties.
For Gerakan remains “relevant” in Malaysia’s politics, it has to consider the fourth option. Look, Gerakan is dominant by Chinese and influenctial in Northen Peninsular. Therefore, when Gerakan said it represents the multi-ethnic society in Malaysia, it does not hold any weight.
For Gerakan, or other Barisan Nasional’s multiracial political parties to regain their importance, the fourth option is one of the best option.
VoiceofPolitics,
Interesting proposition but a few questions here: -
1. You said “…fourth option for Gerakan, which can be concurrently exist with other options. That is for Gerakan to merge with other Barisan Nasional’s multiracial political parties.” You may need to explain how it could be concurrently exist with other options?
2. I assume you mean all multi-racial political parties must merge and remain within BN to function. How practical can this be if you care to study the history of how the co-operation of Gerakan-PBS-SUPP in the 80’s was stalled by Dr. M’s Umno then?
3. The resentment against UMNO-led BN is deep rooted. And to vote for any non-UMNO BN component parties have been seen as supporting and legitimizing UMNO continued rule. So, how different can this option be and based on what grounds this can be regarded as the best option and in the interest of the people?
4. Don’t you think to merge so many political parties with so diversified background can so unsurmountable a task bordering on impossibility?
So, you see before going into the substantial workings on making Gerakan to remain relevant and most importantly survival, i think Gerakan would have been buried in the technicalities in thinking on forming the merger let alone the actual physical merger!
Now, do you still think this is the best Option available?
Veonszu,
Even if Gerakan want to leave Barisan Nasional, there is no harm to merge with other BN’s component party before leaving.
Next, let the history be the history. The environment has changed. The unachievable in the past does not mean for the present.
Why we still permissible ourselves to live in the history?
Further, the resentment against UMNO is not only exists in Gerakan, it also apply to other component parties. And, this can be a window of opportunity for these parties.
Look positively. Use lateral thinking. Something, the world is not as gray as you think.
High risk and low gain is the key word for the 4th options.
Why not consider this ? Today, you maybe more towards chinese based but if you pull out of Gerakan, you may attract the younger generations of Bangsa Malaysia as these younger generations are already colour blind. This means that the expansion will help to drive you towards the future with the mixtures and give you a hope fo change.
It is always the hesitant that will fail Gerakan. I will not even said that there are discussions but rather the leaders wanted you to see the way that they are explaining and that is the only right answer to them.
Gerakan in on its way to becoming irrelevant with your current top leaders line-up. What more, with your Acting President return to become President.
VoiceofPolitics,
1. Arnold Tonybee once said “the only lesson that human learned from history is human has never learned”.
2. The political atmosphere within which we are operating may be different but then fundamentals of the nature of politics remains: power struggles, power struggles and more power struggles. So, to merge more parties must necessary means more power struggles!
3. To explore any options with lateral thinking is something commendable but critical thinking is something more valuable in the circumstances
4. If to take the first step is so difficult, I can’t see how one could jump to the third, fourth and …. simple logics, I am referring to your another bold statement ” Even if Gerakan wants to leave Barisan Nasional, there is no harm to merge with other BN’s component parties before leaving.”
5. I have always advocated he battle of ideas instead of battle of race etc. So, it has nothing to do with being positive or negative, being pessimist of optimist, it is about being consistent, being logical and being rational, so as the better idea prevails.
I must said I like this sort of exchanges cos it helps to sharpen one’s mind, perfect one’s arguments and better one’s self!
badenglish,
I agree with you, but not many in the party agree with both of us.
But I am positive with the fourth option.
Things to add on, for the fourth option to be materialized, a proper democracy mechanism must be put into place.
In my personal observation, Malaysia is lacking a grassroots-based multi-racial party. Only until the grassroots agree with multi-racial politics, then the permanent two-party system will be exist.
Veonszu,
I apologize if my words offended you.
“Power struggles”… a political lingo that afraid everyone? If a proper democracy system has been install, I do not think “power struggles” can really kill a party.
Take a look in Taiwan’s politics, as long as the democracy system is intact in Democratic Progressive Party, the party is functional even they lost the power.
In my opinion, the political atmosphere between now and then, has changed.
And I do see it now there is a window of opportunity, for BN’s multiracial political party to work together, or even merge. And, they should work closely and against racism.
Can I get some clarification to set the premise right. Do you mean merging with other BN’s multiracial political parties BUT still remain in BN or pull out together?
If you merge and remain in BN, I don’t see any effect and all of you would still be UMNO’s lackeys.
Veonszu,
Something to add on.
Do we really understand the reluctance of the existing party leadership to pull out from Barisan Nasional?
Once we understand their reluctance, and we may capable to offer them the solutions to ease their worries.
And I have confidence, the leaders, at this juncture, for the survival of Gerakan, they are considering merging rather than pulling out.
So, whether first, second or third option, there is no sequence on that.
And they think this is the best for Gerakan.
One last thing, if you want to drive the car, please brave enough to take the driver seat. A party can not have too many back-seat drivers.
fishhook,
If I am the President, I will merge Gerakan with other BN’s multiracial parties.
And if UMNO did not turn itself for multi-racial cause, then the newly merge party shall pull out from Barisan Nasional.
Just want to reiterate what I say from the past till now, that Gerakan shalll pull out from Barisan Nasional with immediate effect.
My stand never change. But I will accept my fourth option as intermediary solution.
VoiceofPolitics,
1. I have never wanted to be in the driver seat cos I think we have so many skillful drivers around! (or at least so they thought they are!).
2. In politics, a lot of things better left unsaid. Suffice to say whatever raised by you are nothing new to me and the leaders. There is so much to be learned in the years to come for all of us. Always, the first and in fact the last thing one should read is History (my favorite subject). One ignores History at his own risks!
3. And yes, welcome to the world of politics, the world of power struggles! (hope you find them enjoyable soon)
4. Again, nothing can substitute the power of logics, the importance of consistency and the passion for political ideas.
5. Frankly, nothing to be apologitic . In fact I really enjoy and love all these exchanges.
Just like my spirits were all fired up when confronted and debated with a group of young socialists recently over Free Market Economy and Gerakan. (you would be surprise these days there are still so many young idealists who care about Gerakan!)
6. Remember one thing: one who chooses not to hold any post does not mean he/she cannot contribute to the party. He/she has chosen not to do so for a reason. Surely, Bad English is with me on this point.
7. Finally, please never ever, even for a minute, question my love, passion and loyalty to Gerakan, the only political party that I longed to join ever since I become politically conscious.