BN- THE DINOSAUR ?

What happened in the Kuala Terengganu by-election was not a wake up call as many had said it. We had our wake-up call, and woken up rudely as many would say, at the 12th General Election last March. And I believe, regardless whether one supports BN or PR, the whole nation was surprised by the outcome of the March General Elections.

And BN is trying to change. Calls for transformation reverberated not only in UMNO branch and divisional meetings, but also in MCA, MIC, Gerakan and so on. BN meetings chaired by YAB Pak Lah have also recognized this need and have been talking about the same thing. YAB Pak Lah and the gang have been trying to change. The MACC bill is one, along with issues like appointment of judges, mega projects shelved, rakyat centric projects given the priority and a host of other things. Even the thought process now is different within the BN party.

However, it is painfully obvious to me that whatever changes the Government has done so far are not enough. Sometimes this is because for whatever good that we do like the MACC bill and so on, suddenly the public gets shocked by one or two bad decisions or proposals coming from individuals or companies linked to the Government. A case in point is Sime Darby’s announcement that it proposed to takeover IJN. And when that failed, the recent and ongoing proposal to build the LCCT terminal for AirAsia in Labu. Because of things like these, whatever good the Government had done throughout the last couple of months and the goodwill credited, have all gone down the drain.

To digress a bit. Sime Darby’s action have got me wondering. Sime Darby seems to be so impatient and in a hurry to do all these deals. Why?

Another issue I would like to point out is the KT by – election. Many thought the battle between PAS and BN was lost not during polling day, but the day BN announced the candidate. Many said that BN had not learned their lesson by putting the particular candidate because he is detached from the grassroots. Whilst I wish to remain neutral on this issue, that is the perception of the public and voters in KT and like it or not BN has to be mindful of all these factors in the future. Voters are what we need to win the election (or in this case by-election). In fact a friend of mine from KT told me, the candidate is a capable man and the right choice but at the wrong time and place.

So, when will BN really change and make impactful changes that will convince the rakyat? I can’t say for the other component parties but I believe for UMNO, real changes will start in March. And the first real change is the selfless sacrifice by YAB Pak Lah to step down as UMNO President, BN Chairman and Prime Minister soon after that to allow the election of YAB DS Najib to these posts.

Second would be the election of a whole new team comprising the old and new to the Supreme Council that would bring fresh mandate for them to act and initiate changes. This would be complemented by the Pemuda. Wanita and Puteri wings also. For the first time in so many years, all these three wings will have contests for their heads which mean a fresh mandate for all.

These changes must also be impactful. BN cannot effect changes just for the sake of changing, without knowing heads or tails what it is changing, why it is changing and the effects of the changes. These changes must also be real and to the core, not superficial or just scratching the surface. And more importantly, all the changes must be thought out properly and must be for the rakyat. Changes made must not only have a positive effect to the older generation but must be felt and appreciated by the younger generation.

These changes must be more than just rebranding or repackaging. I do not want new clothes or new wrappings but the same old core. It must be a transformation. It must be a paradigm shift in the mindset and approach. In short, UMNO, MCA, MIC, Gerakan,PPP and others must sweat blood to win back the rakyat’s trust and belief.

What I have written here for BN is by no means exhaustive. The list of changes and our hopes for BN are endless. But I have high hopes for DS Najib and several individuals I know who have realized UMNO and BN need to change with times for the Rakyat. Should these individuals manage to secure the posts they are campaigning for in the party elections, it will be enough to give them the platform to effect the changes needed, realistically, pragmatically and effectively.

To those in UMNO and BN who still refuse to change, and I admit there are some though minority in numbers, continue being the dinosaurs you are. Sooner rather than later, you will be extinct.

I am confident that changes and transformation will come. I am confident DSNR will be able to do it. Together, the new team will chart the fortunes of UMNO and with our friends, fortunes of BN. Give us a chance to correct our wrongs. And correct them, we will.