Given the current on goings, it is quite obvious that BN is pretty clueless on how to get out of its current predicament. It is like an animal caught in a trap and the more it struggles to free itself the worse its situation becomes.
For Barisan, maybe UMNO more specifically – what is needed is a break from the past and a beginning of a new. BN needs to demonstrate a new way of thinking and doing things. As I have said in past posts, this is a battle for perception and BA is certainly doing a much better job than BN.
Perak for example stands out like a sore thumb. What BN, actually for Perak its probably more the case of UMNO, has to realize that sometime in the next 44 months, it is guaranteed by constitution, that there will be an election in Perak in line with GE13. Anything that they do now that is seen as unfair or underhanded or unresponsive to the demands of the people of Perak will come back to haunt them at the elections. From a long term strategic perspective – the current crisis in Perak has only 1 solution – to call for a fresh elections. UMNO tactically should be focussed on capturing the moral high ground instead of throwing its weight around.
BN needs to understand that the trashing it has at the last elections was a clear message from the electorate that it was fed up with single party politics and was prepared to try any alternative – Be it PAS, DAP or PKR. And to date PAS, DAP and PKR are proving that they aren’t too bad a choice .
UMNO should also now learnt that if it wants to mud sling it has to be much cleverer doing it. Taking the example of Datuk Anipah declaring that he was offered the DPM position by Anwar. It can be 100% true or 100% false, it doesn’t help UMNO. The reality is there are more people who support the Alternative choice because it is an alternative and not because it is Anwar Ibrahim. Anwar is merely a symbol of how low UMNO can go and he really plays that card well. It is unfortunate, but it is real – the more UMNO attach Anwar – I suspect the stronger support for the alternative becomes. UMNO’s problem is not Anwar, UMNO”s problem is itself.
So what should UMNO / BN do:
1. UMNO and BN in the next 3 years needs a mechanism that will put fresh faces and talent into the forefront of leadership. There is just no credibility left. Look at the shambles the republicans are after Obama’s win. Unchecked, BN will go the way of the republicans.
2. BN has to reinvent is purpose – this is about taking the country from here into the future. Holding on to the past and reminding people of the past and playing up the past is simply not goign to help. And UMNO can spend all their time calling people ungrateful etc, it wont help UMNO’s cause. Mahathir captured the imagination of the Nation with VISION 2020 and he built around it a coherent plan of action and he linked everything that he did to that vision. Pak Lah, instead of building on the solid foundation laid by Mahathir, chose to go vision less. And hence we are where we are today. People need something to rally around, to believe in. 1 MALAYSIA is not a rallying point, its just another slogan.
3. Show some demonstrable results through clear policy. Two areas that can really make a difference are:
- deal with Mat Rempits, snatch thieves, improve the overall feeling of public security. Why this is a good win? Because the fear is real and the results will be tangible.
- provide clarity and resolve to address the education issue. if the publics faith in government schools is restored, the votes will come back. Education is something the electorate deals with on a daily basis and as far as they acre concerned - it is not working.
The clock is ticking and every moment that passes, BN’s hole only gets deeper. For BA – tactically they have 3 plus years to pull together a stronger coalition. Let Anwar keep on being the pain in UMNO’s side. Anwar has a sell by date too, and if he is blinded by his personal ambition the tide will swing back to BN. People want and alternative, not Anwar.
