Another ominous Chinese New Year?

I do agree with Malaysia Today news portal editor Raja Petra Kamarudin that there are many undercover agents and spies, who are awaiting to stage “Troy”, in opposition parties, particularly PKR.

By LIM SUE GOAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily

Former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi made an announcement to dissolute the Parliament during the 2008 Chinese New Year while Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak announced that BN has regained the Perak state regime during the 2009 CNY. Would it be another tense CNY this year? It seems like the possibility is not low.

The hearing of opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's sodomy trial will be started Wednesday (3 Feb) while the Federal Court is going to deliver its decision on whether Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir or Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin is the rightful Menteri Besar of Perak on 2 Feb. There is again an internal conflict within PKR and Anwar claimed that BN is going to rope in Pakatan Rakyat members within two weeks during the CNY. A PKR Member of Parliament has recently branded Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng as a dictator while Malay papers is playing up the issue accusing that “Penang government has been supressing Malays”. All these incidents seem like a prologue to something terrible.

In fact, there were rumours spread through SMSs last year saying that “a major event will take place in Kelantan and Penang”. Later, Malay and English newspapers started to play up the issue accusing Kelantan Mentri Besar Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat to have involved in fraud while his son-in-law was investigated and Kelantan state government was facing internal problems. However, the effect was not as good as expected and now, they have shifted their focus to Penang.

Such an approach seems familiar. During former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir's era, whenever they encountered difficulties that were hardly be solved, some issues would just “naturally happened” and drove the people's attention away. And now, we are all focusing on the political situation in Penang and who is still concerned about the “Allah controversy”, as well as the arson attacks on churches?

I do agree with Malaysia Today news portal editor Raja Petra Kamarudin that there are many undercover agents and spies, who are awaiting to stage “Troy”, in opposition parties, particularly PKR. Whenever they receive an instruction, they will come out to make troubles and attack party leaders to polarise Pakatan Rakyat. Even if they are blamed, they will not resign or quit the party as their job is all about making troubles.

Recently, two PKR MPs made accusations against Lim Guan Eng and together with Malay newspapers and non-governmental organisations who fan the flames, it is obvious that they are trying to make others to oppose Lim or polarise Pakatan Rakyat.

Sure Pakatan Rakyat leaders and Anwar know the trick as it is not the first time for them to face such a crisis. In order to ensure no split within the coalition, Pakatan Rakyat must maintain a higher degree of unity and party discipline.

Once Anwar is imprisoned, who is going to lead Pakatan Rakyat? If Pakatan Rakyat does not make an early arrangement, its fragile unity will become more vulnerable.

The battle between BN and Pakatan Rakyat has annoyed the people but unfortunately, some have not yet got tired of it. However, there must be a bottom line for political battles. Once they have crossed the bottom line, it may cause a trouble and even affect the country's image.

For example, it is not a racial issue when the Penang government takes actions against illegal hawkers. It should not be accused to be directed at Malays. A public bidding is a practice of transparency, as well as a progress. It should not be accused to have marginalised a particular racial group.

The BN government is currently working hard to implement various transformation plans to get the country out of the plight. These plans require a stable political condition, as well as the participation of foreign investments. Any political move that provokes sensitive issues and sparks sentiments may bring a great damage and affect the confidence of foreign investors. It may also destroyed the people's optimism which has just been built not long ago.

CNY is an auspicious festival and why can't we celebrate it harmoniously? When will politicians wake up? Just like you and everyone else, I have no answer for it.