By J. D. Lovrenciear
Somehow
it puzzles the rakyat why the politicians do not seem to understand
even at this late hour as the rakyat decide who to vote come
5 May, 2013.
The rakyat are focused
on two paradigms. One, they are very much into asking which one of the
two - BN or PR, can deliver a promising future. Second, the rakyat are
also taking inventory of the past - the sins of the BN and the PR as
well.
But
it is hard to understand why BN seems to keep missing the the two
crucial measurements - the future as well as the past, that the rakyat
will take into account when it comes to polling date.
It is even harder
to understand why BN cannot learn from the PR who are succeeding very
well in responding to the two measurements that the rakyat will use.
For
starters, take a look at the two coalitions' Manifesto. One completely
ignores the past sins that need to be addressed whereas the other takes
stock of both the past shortcomings and future corrections in addressing
the socio-economic and socio-political as well as socio-environmental
issues that are close to the bosoms of and seriously affect the rakyat.
On
the campaign circuit meanwhile we witness the BN leaders launching
housing schemes that is meant to be more affordable. The question the
rakyat are asking is : what was BN doing all these past five years? Why
couldn't the powers that be address these needs well before the election
date? Why wait this eleventh-hour to launch affordable housing in
Putrajaya?
Some are even going the full run asking: if the rakyat are facing affordable
housing problems today, is it also not the doing of BN over these past thirty years?
People
are asking about how can a new government ensure that there is a more
equitable distribution of the nation's wealth so that all citizens and
the country stand to benefit.
People
are asking: what have you done these past thirty years that has as a
result brought on so much of hardships to the voters - suffreings
ranging from housing tpo education to healthcare access.
But BN keeps warning that the few monopolies and crony-conglomerates will fall and the nation's economy will as a result be thrashed proper if BN is not returned to govern.
And
PR wisely retorts that if it has to thrash a few billionaires in order
to return to society what rightfully belongs to humanity, it is going to
do just that to correct the sins of the past and create promises for a
future.
In
fact if BN's policies and practiices were
sound-proof it need not even make corrective promises. It just has to
continue to reinforce the past deeds. All it has to do is scream: DO YOU
WANT US TO CONTINUE SERVING HOW WE HAVE SERVED YOU ALL THESE YEARS?
And the resounding plea would be "YES BN PLEASE!"
Voters
are no fools. The rakyat cannot be duped. Attending compulsory
assemblies is no guarantee that the rakyat support a cause. Doning
uniforms at ceremahs is no seal of support. Accepting hand-outs and free
meals and partaking in otherwise unaffordable mega-entertainments is no
assurance that voters will oblige the call of "You help me, I help you"
with a vote.
But being convinced that there is a whole new future and satisfied that the sins of the past are being atoned
for and never to be repeated - these then are the two yardsticks that
responsible, caring, committed citizens will use at the ballot box.
True? Let us hear the 'yes' and 'no'.
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