I once sat in a mamak stall with some very seasoned DAP member uncles and aunties having breakfast, discussing Malaysian Politics. And one reason or another led the conversation to discussing INTRA-party struggle, especially during times or austerity, or during periods of post defeat wound licking. There’s no denying that the loss of rule of Perak and the current cuts of subsidies and rise in commodity prices is anything other than just that.
The crux of the conversation boils down to this: Intra Party leadership struggles are more often than not, more ruthlessly executed, and more importantly causes more collateral damage that inter-party politics. Let me elaborate on this.
To put it in the simplest terms, a fight between two parties are centred around the respective parties’ vision of the future, policies in which they want to introduce and implement, and what change they propose they see fit for the people. So it’s essentially, the very different idealogical and political boundaries that are being challenged. On the other hand, the fight between so called ‘factions’ between leaders of the same party, who already share the same ideologies and policies, turns the fight into a fight bound and fuelled by emotions, allegiances, and worst still ruthless ambition to step up to the next level. It is unfortunately, a school yard fight about who’s your best friend at the time and who’s style is the most ‘in’ and pleases the most people. We all, as human beings know the consequences of
One can argue that’s the nature of politics and democracy. And it indeed it’s right. Anyone who pretends that elections, whether they be inter or intra party should be calm collective discussions and wholely civilised, are either living in denial or not very clear about the objectives of a democratic system. Furthermore, it’s only natural that factions are formed pre elections. After all, election, best compared with motor racing, contrary to popular belief, is very much so a team sport.
Let’s look at the two camps in question. And since it’s two different styles of politics, I will describe Kula being the driver of a Formula 1 team, and the Ngeh and Nga cousins being the drivers of a high performance Rally driving team.
Kula has been in Parliament now for a while and is well known for his firebrand no-nonsense approach. His oratorical skills is one of a naturally strong projection and but flows smoothly like palm syrup onto nyonya kueh’s. His charisma on a one to one basis, contrarily is overwhelmingly attractive, and has an adorable nature to it. He can sembang kopi with you in a kopitiam as well as talk about the importance of recycling and it’s long term ecological, economical and impacts if not addressed right now. To summarise, he’s an all roundl versatile smooth operator who knows his tracks. And once he’s familiar with the track, he can gain some high speeds as long as his well experienced team that he’s spent his entire career assembling slowly but surely, does him proud, and track conditions are good.
The Cousins on the other had are very different in their approach. To me, they are the driver and co-driver of a rough mountain and jungle terrain rally team with some very talented fast thinking team of young mechanics. Ngeh is the disciplined, calm and technically perfect main driver whose exacting standards has earnt him support and a long lasting leadership with the party. Armed with lethal oratorical skills, Nga is the ‘grown up’ cheeky chappy who loves taking very well calculated risks and had made a commercial and political success for himself, just by being inspirational and calling for the right gears on the right corner at the right time. It is no surprise that they dominate in any arena they are a contender in, as they are a truly amazing partnership. They have navigated, completed and succeeded in terrains never thought possible by their predecessors, and they’ve also done so by keeping their integrity intact.
I am in no position to say which is the better camp. Neither will I voice my opinions on who should. But I will cast a vote like any other active participants in a democratic process are bound by their duty as a citizen will do.
At the end of the day... it really depends on which one you prefer... Rally or F1
