Po Kuan has left the building.
… so what? What’s the big deal? Don’t contest mai don’t contest lor. Why’s everybody getting their knickers in a twist?
Are we sooo stupid to think the opposition is perfect? Of course not. Neither are you and neither am I. Is this the first time some internal party quibble is going on? Of course not. Quibbles happen all the time. But is it only DAP that had a quibble that warrants a frontpage in our mainstream papers? Hell no.
There are PLENTY of party infighting in Umno, MIC, MCA and PPP that warrants only the tiny 6 paragraph article on the twelfth page of the newspaper. So please, spare me the drama about Po Kuan quitting and how deep a hole DAP is digging for itself.
But why do we choose to focus on Po Kuan? Is it because it is interesting to bitch about a woman MP who has taken enough shit from her own party and even more filth from the cavemen in Parliament? Is it because it’s so much for fun to complain about DAP because we feel vindicated when we said the opposition don’t have their act together?
No.
It because the media made a mountain out of a molehill and we bought it.
I’ve seen Po Kuan in action and I have immense respect for her. I swear had I been in her shoes with all that sexist shit thrown at me, I would be incarcerated now for beating Jerai MP to a piece of pulp. lol. Her decision to not contest invites plenty of gossip, sure it’s good to know but we can all take it with a pinch of salt. All I can say is that I hope her decision takes her to greener pastures and we as voters are now wiser. Most of all, that DAP learns a valuable lesson. We all do.
Don’t let menial BN propaganda distract us from the issues.
February 19th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Unfortunately, in my opinion, this is NOT merely ‘menial BN propaganda’.
This is indeed quite a tragedy by any measure. When all of us are being optimistic about the opposition giving us a breath of fresh air, something like this happens. Which does nothing but to remind us that, yep, the elections are nothing more than an ego contest.
And here we were thinking that maybe, just maybe, this time, we’ll show the incumbents that we’re sick and tired of their race-based, corruption-laced tactics.
But nopes, it seems that personalities are still more important than policies. Even at this really important juncture in Malaysian politics. When anti-governmental sentiments are high, with never-before-seen street demonstrations.
One would think the opposition would just set aside their differences, just for this once. Considering how well-timed these elections are.
But nopes, same shit different day. And if the opposition’s damage-control measures are to call this ‘propaganda’ and a ‘mole-hill’. And please, just because the ruling coalition has internal problems of their own, does not make this any less tragic.
We are not being distracted from the main issues by ‘propaganda’. The opposition leaders themselves are being distracted from the main issues. By their own ego.
February 19th, 2008 at 10:34 am
BN propaganda = coverage of po kuan and not the event itself.
somehow it appears as though it is easier for fench sitters, opposition supporters and ordinary critics to label DAP dead goners because po kuan left. but yet BN supporters remain steadfastly loyal and supportive even if there’s infighting which goes unreported in the papers. criticising the leaders and the party itself aside, what does this show about the attitude of the cynical supporters and rakyat?
i stress, opposition is not perfect. but we all know that. if we’re supportive enough and are genuine about change, it doesn’t help to curse the party to hell. instead we should offer constructive views to assist and bolster opposition relations. as much the opposition needs our support, we need them to get their act together by far more positive means.
i suggest an email to po kuan or kit siang would be a good place to start?
February 19th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Suddenly the crooked star got so interested with Po Kuan. Why the alienation of Mukhriz is so unimportant comparatively? This crooked star somehow looks like a very ’senget’ dacing to me. lol
February 19th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
At this point in time, only idiots or the severely misinformed will continue to vote for BN.
However, this infighting within DAP is joining the cronyist ranks of UMNO and Barisan Nasional. And that’s just wrong. We want change, remember?
How do you expect to garner votes when there is no unity within yourselves?
How I still feel Fong Po Kuan should not leave. Not now.
February 19th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Susan Loone has an online petition to DAP to re-instate Fong Po Kuan.
http://sloone.wordpress.com/2008/02/19/dap-be-sporting-lahlet-the-women-contest/#comment-39572
I also hope more participation of women MPs.
Politikus, on day u also can run for MP. U can directly “beat up” any insulting BN MPs.
Cheers.
February 20th, 2008 at 1:39 am
[…] much to say, but with all that’s out there, I thought it’d be useful to point you to polytikus, TheSilo and […]
February 20th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
Li Tsin, I second Harrison.
On Po Kuan propaganda, so obvious isn’t it?
February 20th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
“It because the media made a mountain out of a molehill and we bought it.”
Well, I was perturbed by it, and the only sources of news I’ve digested on it are Malaysiakini, dapmalaysia.org, and a slew of dap-friendly blogs :)
I think it is disappointing, but as you say not a big deal. Timing could have been better, but I can see from my own search engine hit count that the issue is drying away pretty rapidly, there are so many other things to focus on. HOWEVER…
I believe Barisan Najis is rotten to the core and they will stoop low to secure victories. As such, I fear FPK’s sudden departure has set the table for last minute LYING intending to draw blood from the DAP at the last possible moment when the party won’t have time to respond. The lie can take any form… e.g. it can suddenly be “revealed” that LKS wanted to stand in Batu Gajah or some shit like that.
Just something to be aware of I think. Jeff Ooi says he has an SMS network to counter such last minute things… let’s hope it works.
February 21st, 2008 at 12:22 am
Give the lady a chance la. She just got married.
Want to enjoy with hubby and make some future generations in her family.
What everybody thinking? She cannot have a healthy family life ah?
How to make babies if everyday get sexist remarks hantam in her face then go back home to hubby.
You think can make babies like that ah?
Voters, thinking Fong going to be celibate and serve them like eunuchs ah? lol!!
Wake up la people. She got a new start in life.
Leave her alone and think about y/our future first. Don’t busy body, why she did it?
(If she has underlying issues, eventually we will find out…..just wait la)
February 22nd, 2008 at 8:29 am
well said… i dun understand why her loss means the whole opposition is gone case for some ppl… not to say she is neglible but still…