History has an annoying habit of repeating itself. Last Saturday night, when a friend called me up to inform me that Penang had fallen into the hands of the Opposition, I foresaw some sort of punishment coming from Barisan Nasional (BN). I do not claim to be an expert in Malaysian politics. I knew the punishment was forthcoming because the same thing had happened here in Sabah some years ago when the Opposition overwhelmed the BN. It is very like the BN to do something like that.
Therefore I am not surprised that Penang will also be punished by BN. The BN is not known to accept defeat like a gentleman—far from it. It can conveniently say that it's the people's choice to reject mega projects. But even a small kid would know that there is no logic in that. And I am sure even those people in BN are also fully aware that no Penangite in his right mind would reject development. They are pretending not to understand that the people rejected the BN—not the mega projects. But I suppose that is not easy for those hotshot to admit.
However, unlike the case in Sabah years ago, the situation is slightly different this time. Penang and Selangor are two major contributors to the nation's economy. Suppressing the economy of these states might lead to an overall decline in the economy of the nation as a whole. In other words, punishing Penang (and Selangor) amounts to punishing the BN too. Hence, BN has to think really hard if it's such a good idea to entertain its pride.
In addition to the above, when the Opposition won Sabah, BN still had 2/3 majority in Parliament. Not anymore. 5 States had fallen to the Opposition. The BN has to thread carefully. By trying to retaliate in a childish and bad-loser approach is only going to backfire on them.
Perhaps it is time that the BN really start listening to the people. It can't continue punishing people in the hope that they will become obedient citizens.
Therefore I am not surprised that Penang will also be punished by BN. The BN is not known to accept defeat like a gentleman—far from it. It can conveniently say that it's the people's choice to reject mega projects. But even a small kid would know that there is no logic in that. And I am sure even those people in BN are also fully aware that no Penangite in his right mind would reject development. They are pretending not to understand that the people rejected the BN—not the mega projects. But I suppose that is not easy for those hotshot to admit.
However, unlike the case in Sabah years ago, the situation is slightly different this time. Penang and Selangor are two major contributors to the nation's economy. Suppressing the economy of these states might lead to an overall decline in the economy of the nation as a whole. In other words, punishing Penang (and Selangor) amounts to punishing the BN too. Hence, BN has to think really hard if it's such a good idea to entertain its pride.
In addition to the above, when the Opposition won Sabah, BN still had 2/3 majority in Parliament. Not anymore. 5 States had fallen to the Opposition. The BN has to thread carefully. By trying to retaliate in a childish and bad-loser approach is only going to backfire on them.
Perhaps it is time that the BN really start listening to the people. It can't continue punishing people in the hope that they will become obedient citizens.
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