Perak MB Swearing-In Cancelled

The Opposition coalition has to quickly recognize the position it finds itself now –a position of 2 polar opposites – they are Governments in the 5 States that they have won, and they are Opposition at the Federal level. This calls for careful re-evaluation of their strategies because the realities have changed, which can work for or against their favour. The two starkest changes are obvious: Power and Media.

Absolute power corrupts, abrupt Power intoxicates. The initial signs are that the Opposition has allowed the euphoria of winning to make them forget what clinched them the historic victory in the first place. It was the people who were willing to give the Opposition coalition – PKR, DAP and PAS a chance – by voting across racial and religious lines – Chinese for PAS, Malay for DAP/PKR. And they rightfully demand that they work together and prove to them they are a better alternative to the ruling BN. And how they have let the people down. The Opposition has already started to engage in internal bickering to see who gets what. Have they lost sight of the real prize? The real prize is the Federal Government, and the Opposition coalition has less than 4 years to get their act together to prove that what they preach in Opposition, they can deliver in Government in the 5 states they now rule. Stop fighting for scraps under the dinner table. The people has given you power, so start governing!

Secondly, whereas before the Opposition has to resort to alternative media to get their voices heard, they are now the media darlings. All mainstream newspapers and broadcasters want to get a piece of them. This Britney-Spears attention has obviously got them unprepared, as they are still fumbling to get out a coherent, unified message. Instead of exploiting the current BN shaky foundations, they allowed themselves to become the focal attention of a coalition in disarray. Press statements are given by various Opposition Leaders without conferring with each other, eliciting swift contradictory statements and perpetuating the notion of disunity and confusion in the Opposition ranks.

I echo one statement made by a prominent blogger - can all the Opposition Leaders shut up? You are now a YB, not a MC. Your job now is to govern, not to give press statements. Create a media team that has to get any media release approved by the 3 respective Parties’ central committees. Issue press releases that are with substance – new state policies that are transparent, fair and beneficial to the people. Expose any corruption of previous state administrations. Let the media focus on BN – they are the ones with a weak foundation and an infighting that will eventually unravel.

In a nutshell, welcome to the adults’ table – now, please start to act like one.