Race-based politics dug its own grave
Malaysiakini.com
Apr 1, 2008
Marion Tharsis

Pak Lah claims to have learned a bitter lesson from BN’s dismal performance in the recent general elections. But if he appoints any of the 'discarded' leaders of component parties or ex- ministers to the post of senators and then use this opportunity to give them a minsterial post in the cabinet, then he has not really learned a good lesson but courting more displeasure and rejection from the masses. MCPX

The excuse should not be that there is no such experienced persons in the component parties to appoint. The new faces should be given a chance to perform and allowed to go through the learning curve. I remember when Pak Lah was appointed the Foreign Minister, he used to fumble and falter a lot but then through gaining experience, he overcame it.

Similarly, we want to see new, young and energetic faces in the cabinet. A person who has won a seat in the elections deserves to be rewarded and appointed. Pak Lah should not have been influenced by sentiments.

The political landscape in Malaysia has undergone a major change due to the people's choice for their future direction. Cummunal representation is no longer seen as the life line for safeguarding each community's interests and well being.

It could be well-represented and handled within a single party system encompassing all Malaysians. The badly hit BN component parties are now licking their wounds and conducting post mortems as to why and how this disaster has hapenned.

One question for them to ponder is: are we still relevant? It is going to be an uphill climb from now on. If this new Malaysian political concept is proven to be workable and acceptable, then one can expect more such changes in the next elections.

Consequently, race-based politics cannot expect anymore to have a bright future in Malaysian politics, no matter whatever they do to make amends. You have dug your own grave. 

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