YOURSAY | Stop playing into PN’s hands

YOURSAY | ‘If you are already in a hole, you should stop digging.’

Unity govt may pander to conservatives for Malay votes

Karnak: There is no point in going towards the right, as political scientist Wong Chin Huat correctly pointed out - the narrative of Islam and race is currently defined by PAS and, to a lesser degree, Bersatu.

Going towards the right means giving credence to PAS’ version of political Islam and confirms that PAS has been “right all along”.

Worse, because PAS defines this narrative, it can always point out that Pakatan Harapan-BN is not “Islamic” enough. We need to realise this quickly.  

Take a page from the Christians in Europe in the Middle Ages.

Enlightenment took centuries to develop but before that, the Pope and the Catholic Church, which set itself up as holding the keys to heaven, ruled if not territorially (which they did in some parts) but more importantly in the hearts and minds of the people.

This isn't a virus of the body. This is a virus of the mind - and I don’t mean anything negative by it.

Just like the ideas of “democracy”, “fairness”, and so on are viruses of the mind. They are hard to dislodge. So don’t play their game.

Analysts have already pointed out the obvious: the number-one issue in the minds of even PAS-leaning Malaysians is the economy. Sort that out first.  

For goodness sake, communicate.

There needs to be a strategic communications tsar in the government churning out, weekly if not daily, information about what the government is doing to alleviate economic hardships.

Existential Turd: If you are already in a hole, you should stop digging.

Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different outcome is a sign of insanity.

Stupidity is more pernicious and insidious than evil because stupidity is impervious to rational reasoning.

Evil people at least know they are doing the wrong thing but stupid people think they are right.  

The only way for stupid people to realise their folly is when they face the consequences of their choice. But often it comes too late, often on their deathbed or in prison.  

The supporters of Perikatan Nasional have been educated (indoctrinated) by BN/PAS for generations, their mindset has already fossilised.

They are playing the long game. The cog was set in motion two generations ago.  

Just look at how difficult Umno finds it to convince its supporters to cast aside their apprehension of DAP after they have vilified the party for so many decades.

The chicken is coming home to roost. This is just the beginning and the least of Umno’s headache.  

If leaders have a will of steel, maybe they can punch through the fog of stupidity. But a country bereft of wisdom and courage will continue to spiral downward.  

If changes do not come from within, they will be imposed on us from without.

Umno is certainly feeling the pain right now but its current predicament will be Malaysia’s future if we don’t change.

Man on the Silver Mountain: The federal coalition government pandering to the conservatives for Malay votes will not help them.

As far as that is concerned, that position is already taken - by PN. 

Harapan just cannot compete on that. Whatever they do, the Malays’ choice is PN. So, forget about it, you are only going to alienate the non-Malay supporters.

Perhaps, Harapan, if they can, concentrate on your core mission - economy and reforms.

You will lose some Malay support but you will not lose more of your previous supporters.

They will come out in full force to vote. Without going to the polls, which they will do, Harapan will not prevail.

This does not mean that you stop assisting the Malays, just don’t do what does not make a difference and yet suppress the non-Malays. You all know what that means.

Newday: Emotion is the driver of politics here. PN appeals to emotions. Unfortunately, they are emotions driven by fear - fear of hell, fear of the DAP (communists), and fear of secularism and liberals.

PN has been very good at instilling the false belief that they are not corrupt, even if reality says otherwise.

They play the Umno president, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (who is facing corruption charges), and the “Umno is corrupt” card well.  

Umno grassroots cannot get over their cult leader being in jail and hanging onto his emotional ball and chain, while Zahid keeps power through bullying tactics.

Umno drifts on the emotion of past success and has become the master of their doom by not cleaning up the party after the 14th general election.

PKR has raved about reform for many years now but is stuck with a leader who is a supercharged emotional chameleon.

DAP is still the same practical, level-headed party that tries to put into practice what they preach.

They work hard at doing so, not getting wrapped up too much in emotions unless it involves the departure of former Penang deputy chief minister P Ramasamy.  

I will never understand how people see using emotions as the best way to run Malaysia.

Salvage Malaysia: This is where PN manages to catch Harapan in its trap.

They know if they succeed in getting more votes by playing up 3R (race, religion, and royalty) issues, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim might be forced into upping his holier-than-thou image too.

If Anwar does it, Harapan will lose its traditional base of non-Muslim voters. PN will benefit. 

I feel Anwar should focus on the economy and the promised reforms.

When people of all races have more money in their pockets, no one will hate such a government.

Don’t take the fixed deposit base for granted bcos many are disappointed at the U-turns made.

Methink: It is time for the government to look closer to home and its supporters to consolidate and unite their power base.

All their pandering, pampering, and giveaways have not swayed the opposition supporters.

The same problems arising from the same solutions equal madness and this must not go on.

The government’s supporters are floundering and disinterested. Fence sitters are jumping to the opposition’s side.

The government and Harapan should take care of their supporters, nurture them, and retain their loyalty before they lose them.

Remember in life, some people will never like you whatever you do for them. Take care of those who like you.

Aristo: No need to pander. What Harapan needs to do now is to select and confirm the candidates for the next general election and state elections.

Let them work on the ground, Harapan can do a lot to help these candidates with their resources.

After two to four years, the voters will know the Harapan candidates better and may favour them.

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