KUALA LUMPUR: The just-concluded Barisan Nasional convention was not a war cry to rally the dispirited troops for the coming general election but a meeting to gauge the unity and strength of the component parties.
It was more a “feel-good” meeting to reiterate their commitment to serve the people they represent than a “military” strategy to defeat the opposition forces arrayed against them.
The coalition leaders renewed their pledge to the people in the spirit of cooperation and “one-ness” in line with Prime Minister and BN chief Najib tun Razak's 1Malaysia concept.
Contrary to speculation that the convention was in preparation for an early general election, it was in reality a gathering to put the BN house in order first before the partners face their foes.
At present, BN cannot afford to call for snap polls as the major component parties have yet to “get on their feet” since the cataclysm of 2008.
The convention held last Sunday became a “feel-good” meeting where every component party expressed its wishes, needs and opinions, as well as voicing its views on the weaknesses of the coalition.
Of course, the opposition came under heavy fire but this was not a signal that the BN army is ready to march out to the battlefield.
The brief convention had not really gone into the depth of the coalition’s real problem – eliminating the toxic politics of race.
MCA, for example, read the same old script of meritocracy and equality, as stated by its president Dr Chua Soi Lek.
Level platform
Speaking after the convention, Chua said that MCA wanted an level platform where no one would take orders from the other.
Given MCA's fragile position, the party has a long way to go to get back the community’s trust as reflected in the several by-elections where the majority of the Chinese had clearly shown they were not for the BN.
He strongly believed that the community would not return to the MCA fold unless and until MCA enjoys an equal partnership in the ruling coalition.
Chua saw that it is time to make demands although this may cause ripples within the coalition. But he felt that it is worth the effort as the BN needs the Chinese votes badly.
Without the Chinese votes, BN may not be strong although it may get its two-thirds majority in Parliament and win one or two states that were lost to the opposition in 2008.
Gerakan, a multi-racial party but Chinese-based, is at a loss as it was totally rejected in 2008 and is not, in the near future, expected to pick up the pieces.
It is still searching for its “lost soul” and while wandering in the political wilderness, the party came up with a proposal: form just one party. In short, all BN component parties should disband and set up a single party to represent all communities.
While Malaysians are generally not prepared for a one-party idea, some observers read it as Gerakan’s way of “saving face” since the party may be buried for good in the next general election.
Healing process
For MIC, the change in leadership is not expected to make the party any stronger as the Indians are no longer solidly supporting it.
In fact, when Najib opened the coalition’s door by admitting associate members and affiliates, the three main tottering parties – MCA, Gerakan and MIC – may find their support being eroded further as many of the members of the communities they represent as well as NGOs will go straight to register with the BN.
The 2,100 delegates at the Sunday convention got to mingle with their leaders to talk about the problems they were facing and what to do next.
But as for the general election, it is not expected to be held so soon as Umno had recently decided to postpone its party election till June 2012, which means that it needs time to unite its members.
First, the party needs to change the liaison chiefs of the states and later, to unite the factions in the states. This “healing” process would take at least six months.
Then Umno has to allow the new state chiefs to implement their plans as these chiefs may be picked as menteris besar after the general election.
Thus, the whole process may take at least 18 months – which is why Najib had to postpone the Umno polls. It is unlikely he will snap his fingers for a quick general election. Party first, election later.
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