Of late, the political scene has become dirtier and messy. It is undeniable that we need to usher in a new era of responsible and accountable politics and leadership. But post 2008, we have seen a greater use and manipulation of race and religion by politicians and political parties to advance their interest.
Elected representatives have shown their true colour too. A host of them had betrayed the trust and mandate of the people by deserting their political platform. Their action had caused a collapsed of a democratically elected government and made elected representatives as pawns which can be bought over at the right price. This had worsened corruption and democratic reform in the country.
At the same time, Malaysians are left to wrest with a host of critical socio-economic issues and challenges. World economy is expected to go through a tough recovery although a light at the end of the tunnel is not yet visible.
The federal government has announced a host of initiatives but two ingredients were missing from these plans - Confidence & Trust. Without confidence, there is very little hope that the plans will be successful. Local investors and brains will not invest their money and skills in the country.
The government can announce grand numbers and ambitious plans but these plans will turn cynical if it is obvious that there is no capacity and mechanism to implement them.
We need a Third Force and we need to build a new platform to convey our voices and concerns to the political parties. We need to push the political parties to put better people in the next general election. We need them to focus on issues and challenges faced by all instead of certain sectarian interests and senseless politicking or power struggle.
We need a Third Force to discuss:
1) Workforce empowerment and skills enhancement
2) Education system overhaul
3) Democratisation and respect for constitutional rights
4) Rule of law and restoring the credibility of public institutions
5) End of racism and sectarian politics
6) Fight corruption and end abuse of public resources
7) National competitive revival and others
I would like to hear your thoughts on the emergence of a third force and greater civil society's participation in the public discourse. Remember, we choose the government we deserve. It is time for the stakeholders/voters to be more involved.
With the current irresponsible governance and manipulation of public office, it is possible that they may not be a future for the country in the next 3-5 years. The rot must stop now!
Let me hear your views and let us explore what can be done.
Save Malaysia from the politicians, especially the unscrupulous ones.
People like Ibrahim Ali, Ahmad Ismail, Hamim Husain should fear us and not the other way round.
26 comments:
Yup i agree that Malaysia is in dire need of a third force. For starters, we must agree that the third force is not race based, and will admit anyone, so long as the broader terms of reference is to ensure the well-being of the nation.
It will make sense to use social media to gain traction. Get this onto face-book and start tweeting.
Please please please if ever this third force of civil societies emerges, work in cooperation with Pakatan Rakyat and not in competition to split votes. It is of upmost importance to have at least 1 term of regime change, for emergence of a viable 2 party/coalition system, reforms including really free and fair election, a truly independent Election Commission, a trustworthy judiciary, police MACC etc. All these will be at risk if this "third force" causes 3 or more corner contests and allow UMNO/Bn to win by default.
1) The most immediate factor to be revamp would be our education system. We should allow no interference, if possible, or very minimum from the politician.
2) racial and religion issues should not be allowed to be used to attack opponent parties. Anyone found to violate should be seriously dealt with, regardless if it is from the ruling government or the opposition.
8. Economic survival, including food and energy security, especially for minimum wage earners and disenfranchised.
Agree. We need the numbers. The Rakyat cannot stand any longer all the crap by those who are keen to divide instead of uniting the country. Yes they should fear us.
Hope all those giants in the judicial, army, military, civil service, academicians, current or retired to come to the fore to provide the third force front. Will join and be counted
Rise!!!!!!!!!!! The third force.
It gonna be a strong and powerful one, the third force shall not include the usual opportunies that we see in many political parties.
It certainly is not the few ex Pakatan frogs.
This is the first viable attempt at ousting BN during GE 13. To create a 3rd force would dissipate the focus and energy of this effort. It would also be a distraction. On this score it is therefore preferable to defer this initiative until after PR is in Putrajaya.
we all must first look at ourselves as malaysians and not the different races. If we can't even do that, where is the stand? the future of this country lies in this understanding. it is "those" who want to think that they are superior though we know they are not,created this over the years so as to be in control of the country and today, they are still doing the same "wayang". let us real malysians wake up and reduce this bunch of good-for-nothing and depending for hand-outs after more than 50 years of independence to a mere drop of water in this big malaysia ocean.
Yes. Its sickening whats happening now. With Umno facing implosion and PKR's fiasco.We better get going fast or our country will kaput.Lets do it but do it right. No more importations of UMNO's culture and people who are just for themselves. The scrutiny of members must be done properly.
a third force would only split the votes and benefit BN as in all previous election...where BN win in all 3 corner fight.....
in the US there are only Democrats and Republican..
In the Sabah context, it seems that SAPP might fit into those criterias mentioned above. However, it is only confined to Sabah only, can't represent Malaysia as a whole.
I agree with Warga Malaysia. The 3rd force will only attract anti establishment and anti BN votes. Than means these bulk of voters will be split between PKR and the 3rd force. The result...UMNO/BN wins yet again and i pray they don't get 2/3 majority. If they do again, its good bye to a 2 party system forever.
PKR should come into power for at least 1 term so that the rakyat knows they have the power to change the govt. This is very important psychological barrier to break.
One thing I see in the run up to the PKR leadership clamour is a vying to be in a position to be selected as a candidate to contest at the next GE. Everyone wants to be a candidate. Does not matter if they know what it takes or what is needed of an MP or an Adun. What they know is the assurance of a large vote bank that will vote PR no matter what. The cost of becoming an MP or Adun is not exactly prohibitive. The choice of candidacy is made by the party leadership. So, in a position of some power, whether as division heads or higher, making all the right noises between now and then they are almost assured of being selected a candidate. Or for lesser beings, maybe becoming a machai to a potential candidate.
Now this is where things can turn sour for those savouring in these assumptions. This "vote bank" is not exactly dumb and stupid. Yes, in 2008 we voted any donkey on a PKR, DAP or a PAS ticket. But now, we want to know and we should be able to tell them which donkey they set us up to vote.
Candidate selection cannot be left to the leadership of the parties alone. This is where I suggest that the third force comes in. The TF can be the patron of the criteria for candidate selection. Candidates recommended by the parties should be subject to this independent perusal. And at this process, it must also be possible for candidates not from the party, but who wish to stand without being a party member, may also offer to be perused to be selected as a candidate. And why not? I would not want to see a three way fight. At the same time, PR don't take me for granted!
I just want to cite an example of candidate selection. In Australia recently a 20 year old became the Liberal/National Party MP for Longman in Queensland. One has to ask, how on earth did that established and respected party select a 20 year old. Well, it was through a process of candidate selection. He made the best presentation amongst a few who offered to stand for the party.
We need a candidate selection process. And my hope is this is where the Third force will be focused on, instead of focusing on becoming another political party.
U could count me in for the 3rd force...if it meant no harm and provide constructive suggestions for nation building...
what are your plans now ?
the time in the context where economy is in a mess around the world. Can we assure ourself the government of the next GE, will liable of its action or not. its seems in Malaysia Boleh, the slogan proves that in this Malaysia, its not you as a malaysian can do anything but also get away with anything! interim Government trying to do things in a certain way, but the tail does not responds to the heads. The Head seems headless. Words were made, promises were empty. how would we to elect, as the current media shows both whatever Barisan is in the mess. whether who I will vote is yet to be seen. Seriously I can say , let give the chance to the other party, at least we know we have a 50/50 chance, the other almost 50 years in governing, still playing the same old cards. 50 years is a long time. too long and too conservative. Too old too hard too stubborn
If you want to have a third force, then there must be a second force that is already able to defeat the Current First Force which is the BN. We have not even reach that point yet. If you are comparing it with the UK, they are already taste what the First and second Force in Power.
But if you are talking the 3rd Force as a Pressure Group that will give their votes to candidates that are in tune with their ideology in each constituent, than that is ok.
We know already 25-30% of voters are stout BN voters, another 25-30% voters are stout PR voters. The rest are not 100% agree with your ideology so the 3rd force might get 50% of those votes?
Some of these proponents of this 3rd force might be those put in by BN also to break the votes. I am not saying everybody. Who will gain more if there is another candidate in an election constituent. PR? Don't think so.
So please think it carefully. Yes. We do need another Force or Pressure Group heck they can also propose candidate to the BN and PR, but not another candidate to spoil a straight fight between BN and PR in a contituent. Think about it.
DO you want another term of BN?
Let the people choose their own leader ( representative). Don't think Big.Empowered the people - lets the people decide what they want and need. Never underestimate the people. For each constituent lets have the Voter Association ( Based on Voters List by EC)this VA can easily eliminated all the pengundi hantu. Train the VA members to be polling agent , so we dont have to rely on the political parties too much. This VA must work closely with all the Resident Asscociation. Help the local community to set up their own RA if they dont have one.....All these thing are giving back power back to the people. Rather having the political parties chose their candidate and then shove the candidate to us.....might as well we endorsed our own chosen candidate for the next election.
The 3rd. force is already existing..the voters...each and everyone of us who are aware of the gross abuse need to prevent the indoctrination of the masses using the government controlled print and electronic media media...now they are providing free satellite tv for the interior folks of sarawak..why..look at the news on TV3 @ 8 pm...the picture of najib appears no less than 10 times..astro to subtly indoctrinates, their vannavil programmes are trying to change the minds of the indians..so for those who want change, let there be status quo..but we need to change the thinking of the voters who are swayed easily..give them proof of agvbuse and tell them that they can make or break any govt.
Third force politically will only be viable if we have a strong 2 party system. Although one may argue that we already have the 2 in form of BN and PR, we must acknowledge the PR alliance is still young. PR needs a bit more time to prove that they serve as an effective alternate to BN. We need to help strengthen PR first before we can think of a third force. All this talk of a third force would play nicely into BN hands and futher strengthen their strangle-hold on power in this country. No to third force ....... for now.
Yes indeed... what may your plans be for the time being?
Bangsa Cina Malaysia said...
a third force would only split the votes and benefit BN as in all previous election...where BN win in all 3 corner fight.....
in the US there are only Democrats and Republican..
- typical skeptic of a selfish mind. how shallow can you be. grow up man! we need the third force to drive BN & PR out. period!
The only benefit of a 3rd. force I can see is that it may exhaust the slush funds of Barisan Neraka, thus allowing more opposition overall to win.
The reason for a 3rd force is simple: when existing structures(1st & 2nd force)cannot accommodate the voices in the society those who are not too `leader/party fearing' will demand their say through their own, new structure! So the clamor for 3rd force is indeed an indictment of the 1st 2-especially the 2nd force, since it was seen as the more friendly structure closer to the stand of the public! Anyway we need to tackle the issue of vote splitting which may give the 1st force more breathing space:
1st-the issue is mis-conceived. Eg Perkasa has become a complimentary force to UMNO without either side feeling the discomfort of extra company! The civil society 3rd force can function the same way! To be noted: the 3rd force can influence the 2nd force just like Perkasa influence UMNO. That alone can be the rationale enough for the existence of a 3rd force. To do something for your conviction is more important than not doing anything at all or be sidelined by the party you `support' or have no choice but support!
2. It may be a wrong expectation/conception that the 2nd force can be expected to deliver change-or rid the country of the corrupt 1st force. It was the people who chose the 2nd force to counter the 1st force-not the other way round! So if the 2nd force, after tasting power at state and parliament levels, forget where they get their support from in the 1st place, there is nothing wrong for the people who feel not sure of the 2nd force to set up their own organisation to voice their concern.
(continue part 2)
Part 2 of comment:
As many people say: you get improvement only when there is a competition-in this case, the competition as the voice of the people! If the 2nd force don't shape up then they face being replaced by the 3rd force. At the risk of being eclipsed the 2nd force must shape up or face extinction, just like the crisis faced by the 1st force!
3. Now the crunch: who will listen to any `3rd force' if you cannot prove your `force' through the mobilisation at where it counts ie the ballot box? This does not mean you run as a candidate. It means that the 3rd force need to prove that its voice counts in the ballot boxes ie in terms of who to get the votes and also, more importantly, what kind of candidates should be considered by the parties.
To do that arm chair critics won't fit the bill as 3rd force. Serious 3rd force will consider how to qualify as a `force' in the 1st place-otherwise it may just become a big `pasar malam'/`kopi tiam'of disgruntled people-who somehow is happy after releasing their unhappiness and would not lift their fingers for anything they claim to feel so strongly about! So there is a vast difference between those who just want to release some hot air (cannot power a jet plane ie pseudo 3rd force)and those who act on their conviction! Only when the 3rd force can prove its capacity to make or break a candidate that the parties/coalitions will sit up and listen!
In fact all the successful democratic changes around the region(Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan etc) happen when the people felt strong enough to mobilise and act for change-and the 2nd force(usually a splinter from the 1st force) just sneak in to be the MC of change that put themselves in the seat of power!
So: unless you change enmass nobody will deliver you the change you want-whether 1st or 2nd force. Many people turn cynical at this point: why work so hard for change when a politician/`others' will sneak into the seat of power in any case?
That actually prove the point of whether you want change for its own sake(without becoming the person to taste power), or you are after the seat of power? Until people see a point to work for change and not for fighting for positions there won't be any 3rd force-only 2nd force pretenders!
I think position holders are like drivers-let them feel proud that they hold the steering wheel while you-the passengers, actually decide where the driver were to drive you to. He/she is at your service! If you get what you want ie go to your destination called `Corrupt-free Malaysia' why insist that you be the driver also-and cause fights among the potential drivers? Perkasa seems an unlikely role model-but you can afford to eat some humble pie here: they did become the tail that wag the dog! Fancy that...
As many people say: you get improvement only when there is a competition-in this case, the competition as the voice of the people! If the 2nd force don't shape up then they face being replaced by the 3rd force. At the risk of being eclipsed the 2nd force must shape up or face extinction, just like the crisis faced by the 1st force!
3. Now the crunch: who will listen to any `3rd force' if you cannot prove your `force' through the mobilisation at where it counts ie the ballot box? This does not mean you run as a candidate. It means that the 3rd force need to prove that its voice counts in the ballot boxes ie in terms of who to get the votes and also, more importantly, what kind of candidates should be considered by the parties.
To do that arm chair critics won't fit the bill as 3rd force. Serious 3rd force will consider how to qualify as a `force' in the 1st place-otherwise it may just become a big `pasar malam'/`kopi tiam'of disgruntled people-who somehow is happy after releasing their unhappiness and would not lift their fingers for anything they claim to feel so strongly about! So there is a vast difference between those who just want to release some hot air (cannot power a jet plane ie pseudo 3rd force)and those who act on their conviction! Only when the 3rd force can prove its capacity to make or break a candidate that the parties/coalitions will sit up and listen!
continue part 3
part 3:
In fact all the successful democratic changes around the region(Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan etc) happen when the people felt strong enough to mobilise and act for change-and the 2nd force(usually a splinter from the 1st force) just sneak in to be the MC of change that put themselves in the seat of power!
So the lesson: unless there is an active social/people movement to speak out on what the masses of people want,what you have would be just change of faces-not change of policies. The Common Policy Platform of PR is a `good' sample' of the more things `change' the more they stay the same. It linked up the parties but kicked out many of the people's vision of a democratic Malaysia!
So: unless you the people change enmass nobody will deliver you the change you want-whether 1st or 2nd force.It is YOU the poeple who change-not the parties! Many people turn cynical at this point: why work so hard for change when in any case a politician/`others' will sneak into the seat of power ?
That actually prove the point of whether you want change for its own sake(without becoming the person to taste power), or you are after the seat of power? Until people see a point to work for change and not for fighting for positions there won't be any 3rd force-only 2nd force pretenders!
I think position holders are like drivers-let them feel proud that they hold the steering wheel while you-the passengers, actually decide where the driver were to drive you to. He/she is at your service! If you get what you want ie go to your destination called `Corrupt-free Malaysia' why insist that you be the driver also-and cause fights among the potential drivers? Perkasa seems an unlikely role model-but you can afford to eat some humble pie here: they did become the tail that wag the dog! Fancy that...
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