This is a humble reply to Kua Kia Soong article about Zaid Ibrahim, 'What it takes to be the Third Force' .
Kua said, “I have tried to search for the substance of the 'visionary' Zaid Ibrahim, but I can't find it!.”
The moment Kua Kia Soong tried to search for substance in Zaid Ibrahim's visionary qualities, that was when he made the mistake of the truth and perception about the third force. The third force is not about Zaid Ibrahim.
Zaid Ibrahim may lead the third force but that does not mean that it is to fight for one individual's cause and that also does not mean that Zaid Ibrahim is representing the entire voice of the third force. This alone already differentiates the third force from Pakatan Rakyat.
“So how is this Third Force going to ensure that their leaders are not going to jump ship? If the answer is that the Third Force politicians have 'higher' political principles than those of Pakatan, how do you measure the level of 'principled-ness'? What guarantees can they give the rakyat?”
First of all we must come back to the current nature of our Malaysian politics. Talking about reality of jumping ship, then my question is simple: what has the third force to offer compared to Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat?
Barisan Nasional has got cash to offer and Pakatan Rakyat has got position to offer. By these alone we already have a good measurement of the higher political principles.
Asking for assurance that their leader won't jump ship is irrational. We cannot claim that just because the third force cannot give such assurance then it should be denied participation in our democracy..
To be realistic, the third force must come out with a proper mechanism and try its best to prevent such things from to happenning or to at least minimise it if we cannot avoid it. To be fair to the third force, this culture of jumping ship is already spoiled by both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat. The third force cannot change the whole system and culture overnight.
But what will make the third force different from the rest is that it is strongly against such culture and practice
Then Kua said, “How do we know these are truly 'born again' democrats?”
How do we not know? The reason why I reply this question with his question is simple. This is because he is just pointing out a question that is way too hard to get an exact answer. It's so subjective.
Moreover the third force is not about few individuals. It's about a different option and choice to the rakyat to decide. If the rakyat think they are, then the rakyat will support this force. Otherwise the rakyat will not - it is the rakyat's democracy right to support whoever that they want. It's not up to us to decide.
We cannot claim that just because the 'Ramlee burger' does not have this and that compared to a MacDonald's or Burger King burger, therefore the Ramlee burger should not exist in the market. Surely there is a segment of the market that prefers the Ramlee burger all the same.
Finally Kua said, “I have only heard his hazy support of liberalism and democracy.”
Liberalism and democracy: these two words are already substance in themselves. He is just asking the substance of substance. Come on. The third force is not yet formed. One can only see the substance when one is given a chance to implement and walk the talk. So it is very normal that he cannot find any now, but that does not mean that he cannot find it later.
Looking at the list of Kua Kia Soong's suggestions to the third force is something that is way too idealistic for the third force. Those suggestions should be suggested to the forces that are in power. But if those suggestions are our promise if we were to come to power, then yes, for sure the third force will look deeply into it.
Most importantly here is that the third force will give more political pressure to the main and second forces where there will be no monopoly of politics in our country's political system. They will not be slacking, as there will be healthy competition within the system.
Also equally important is that the rakyat are given more choices to decide which they like , who they prefer and support.
Malaysiakini
15/11/10
Kua said, “I have tried to search for the substance of the 'visionary' Zaid Ibrahim, but I can't find it!.”
The moment Kua Kia Soong tried to search for substance in Zaid Ibrahim's visionary qualities, that was when he made the mistake of the truth and perception about the third force. The third force is not about Zaid Ibrahim.
Zaid Ibrahim may lead the third force but that does not mean that it is to fight for one individual's cause and that also does not mean that Zaid Ibrahim is representing the entire voice of the third force. This alone already differentiates the third force from Pakatan Rakyat.
“So how is this Third Force going to ensure that their leaders are not going to jump ship? If the answer is that the Third Force politicians have 'higher' political principles than those of Pakatan, how do you measure the level of 'principled-ness'? What guarantees can they give the rakyat?”
First of all we must come back to the current nature of our Malaysian politics. Talking about reality of jumping ship, then my question is simple: what has the third force to offer compared to Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat?
Barisan Nasional has got cash to offer and Pakatan Rakyat has got position to offer. By these alone we already have a good measurement of the higher political principles.
Asking for assurance that their leader won't jump ship is irrational. We cannot claim that just because the third force cannot give such assurance then it should be denied participation in our democracy..
To be realistic, the third force must come out with a proper mechanism and try its best to prevent such things from to happenning or to at least minimise it if we cannot avoid it. To be fair to the third force, this culture of jumping ship is already spoiled by both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat. The third force cannot change the whole system and culture overnight.
But what will make the third force different from the rest is that it is strongly against such culture and practice
Then Kua said, “How do we know these are truly 'born again' democrats?”
How do we not know? The reason why I reply this question with his question is simple. This is because he is just pointing out a question that is way too hard to get an exact answer. It's so subjective.
Moreover the third force is not about few individuals. It's about a different option and choice to the rakyat to decide. If the rakyat think they are, then the rakyat will support this force. Otherwise the rakyat will not - it is the rakyat's democracy right to support whoever that they want. It's not up to us to decide.
We cannot claim that just because the 'Ramlee burger' does not have this and that compared to a MacDonald's or Burger King burger, therefore the Ramlee burger should not exist in the market. Surely there is a segment of the market that prefers the Ramlee burger all the same.
Finally Kua said, “I have only heard his hazy support of liberalism and democracy.”
Liberalism and democracy: these two words are already substance in themselves. He is just asking the substance of substance. Come on. The third force is not yet formed. One can only see the substance when one is given a chance to implement and walk the talk. So it is very normal that he cannot find any now, but that does not mean that he cannot find it later.
Looking at the list of Kua Kia Soong's suggestions to the third force is something that is way too idealistic for the third force. Those suggestions should be suggested to the forces that are in power. But if those suggestions are our promise if we were to come to power, then yes, for sure the third force will look deeply into it.
Most importantly here is that the third force will give more political pressure to the main and second forces where there will be no monopoly of politics in our country's political system. They will not be slacking, as there will be healthy competition within the system.
Also equally important is that the rakyat are given more choices to decide which they like , who they prefer and support.
Malaysiakini
15/11/10
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