Tuesday, December 21, 2010

malaysiakini: Politicians, put collective good above self... by Capt Abdul Aziz Abdullah

Politicians, put collective good above self
Capt Abdul Aziz Abdullah
Dec 20, 2010
2:18pm

I refer to the article 'This time, Guan Eng is the star of the show' on Dec 19, 2010.

Indeed, if many amongst the diehard members of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) can readily accept the fact that the party is not the domain of a particular individual and that its existence is for the betterment of Malaysia's society at large, then, in my humble opinion, I think it will survive with greater success and stronger support.

It may have been initially conceived with the pristine aim of ensuring justice to a particular individual, then, enduring unjust acts by powers-that-be, but, now, as a national political party with aspirations to rule the nation, that raison d'etre must be discarded and all focus ought be towards amalgamating the diaspora of conflicting interests by individual parties within the Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

All effort must be made to focus on this fundamental objective, no more on trying to ascertain that a prima donna's aim of being numero uno in the political hierarchy be the penultimate target!

We should adhere to the notion that no individual is so indispensable that the party/coalition is unable to function should he not be present. If one truly loves the party and all that it stands for, then, in my mind, it would be a far, far noble task for one to ensure that the party succeeds without him around!

That would, indeed, be an act of a genuine statesman, a patriot!

As such, may I remind all who care to listen that the rakyat is tired!

Exhausted by the relentless jibes of those currently in power exhorting that they, and only they, know best what is good for the country and assuming that Malaysians do not have the ability to think and discern for themselves of what is going on.

Exasperated at the antics of those who were given a sudden mandate to rule, not because they were good, but more so due to the indignation of blatant arrogance of the then incumbents, but, now appearing to be no better than those who were kicked out!

Is this the fate to befall us, fellow Malaysians? We speak of a two-party system, but the looks of it infer that neither is much different from the other!

We would wish to try out the alternative, but, need more convincing that it is a viable one, concerned and caring for the plight of ordinary folks and not beholden to the attraction of the mighty ringgit! We dream of ideals that can carry Malaysia into the developed world, but, not at the expense of maligning the environment. We abhor corruption, we adore frugality, we applaud transparency, but, above all, we cherish highly the unity that ordinary Malaysians practice, despite what many may try to destroy for their own selfish needs!

Thus, Pakatan, prove to us that you are that alternative that we can rely on. Shed the cloak of mistrust and back-stabbing that some are prone to practice within the coalition. You have some quite splendid personalities in your grouping with potential to shine and rise. Give them a chance, let those tried and tested, but, failed to deliver, rest and write their memoirs.

We appreciate their deeds, we'll remember their contributions, but, do not let them hold sway that sans their presence, the party will go to the dogs! That would be quite unfair to us, fellow Malaysians!

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