BN's Missed Opportunity

We have only five more days for September 16. The build-up and anticipation of September 16 has some what died down since last week.

It could be partially due to the absence of the 'target group', namely BN Backbenchers, from the country (according to BN, they are away on a 'study tour' to Taiwan). It could also be due to the realization of many that September 16 is just another one of Anwar 's political gimmick.

I feel BN had lost a golden opportunity to expose Anwar's lie by sending away the backbenchers for a study tour smack in the middle of the purported cross-over date. If BN is confident that September 16 will not take place, they should just postpone the trip to another suitable period. It is not as if the trip is a 'must do item' on this year's calender. Even the initial country to be visited had been changed from China to Taiwan.

Now, Anwar has another excuse to give for not delivering on his promise. He will just set another date and will leave everyone in suspense yet again.

What surprises me in all this is the silence by NGOs, human right groups and organizations purporting to promote democracy over Anwar's political manoeuvring . Just imagine the uproar if BN had announced that it is planning to take over some of the opposition held states by cross-over of PR ADUNs? BN will be accused of not respecting the will of the people and is trying to undo the results of Election 2008. Isn't Anwar's attempt amount to the same thing?

Yes, BN took a beating and were dealt a severe blow in GE 2008 but win the election it did. BN was returned to power, albeit with lesser majority, by the people. Everyone should respect that. Why is Anwar an exception?

I remember when Al Gore and George W. Bush contested for the American Presidency in 2000. Al Gore had more votes but George W. Bush had more electoral delegates. It is the electoral delegates that vote for the President of United States. There were also suits pending in respect of disputed votes. However, once it was clear that George W.Bush had the majority of electoral delegates by the slimmest majority, Al Gore conceded defeat and George W.Bush was sworn in as President. No one challenged his authority to rule despite winning by the narrowest of margin. That is democracy.

If it all Anwar has the required number of MPs, he should just get on with it. Instead, he is playing cat and mouse with the future of the country.

BN should just confront him and call his bluff. That is why I feel that BN had missed yet another opportunity to expose him. Besides, if indeed there is a risk of some BN MPs crossing over, how long can BN prevent it? We can't keep sending them overseas forever can we?

Sooner or later people will know who is telling the truth. It is just sad that in the meantime the country is left anxious about its future.

Murugesan Sinnandavar