DOMINATION VERSUS EQUAL PARTNERSHIP

Just read about an article in The Star discussing about equal partnership in PR. I do agree that PR does practise equal partnership in its alliance but it is something good or bad? When it comes to equal partnership, each party will have its say. Most if not all decisions made must be agreed upon by all component parties. Each party will look strong and not to be controlled or overpowered by another. However, in equal partnership, it is not easy to choose a leader or to come to consensus. After 2008 GE, PKR has the most seats in Parliament, followed by DAP and PAS. It is a good combination and coincidentally, it did happen. DAP Malaysian Malaysia does not goes well with PAS Islamic State; PKR is the one who manage to glue both together. Furthermore, as a multi-racial party with Malays as the top leader, no doubt that putting DAP as second most senior partner followed by PAS can make PR looked to be more balance in terms of racial composition. However, imagine if PKR is not the one with most Parliamentary seat, can DAP and PAS accept PKR leader as opposition leader? For the moment, they said can. But just imagine why a Malay leader from PAS can’t assume the head of PR if its party wins the most seats. Just imagine if Malay votes do not swing towards PR and only Chinese votes does, what will happen to PR next? Will they accept DAP as the head or will DAP accept other parties’ leader as the head? This situation did happened when DAP assumed the position of Parliament Opposition Leader quite often. In Malaysia politics, to be wholesomely represent the whole community, it is important for a political party to have Malays as its top leader and has more Malays MPs (I read it in somewhere and I personally do agree that Gerakan, DAP, PPP etc cannot be regarded as multiracial party). On the other hand, BN can guarantee it. Never in the history (if I am not mistaken) UMNO had less seat than any of its component party. The influence and strength held by UMNO also can guarantee this to happen. Even though for most people, UMNO seems to be over-dominated in BN. However, this domination can make the process of making decision fast. BN has also a clear leader without any dispute. UMNO President surely will become BN chairman and eventually Malaysia PM. However, this kind of domination has its bad side too. Other component parties will be labelled as weak. Therefore, it becomes harder for them to garner their own community’s support.

Whether domination or equal partnership is good, it is hard to argue theoretically. It has to be analyzed according to the situation and sentiment of the surrounding. For the moment, PR’s equal partnership seems to work well with the people compared to BN’s domination. PR might have the luck to win in such a good racial combination in Parliament and PR-controlled State Assemblies (except for Perak). However, if the few questions mentioned above do arise or the situation as in Perak where PR has more Chinese representatives than Malays in a Malay-majority state, can equal partnership still work well?

FINALLY, I AM BACK TO PENANG

Finally, I have come back to my hometown, Butterworth on Monday (yesterday). After completing all my examination papers, I continue to finish off my remaining thesis. Thank God that the deadline for my department to pass up thesis is on 5 May 2010. After that, I had some relaxation for a few days plus debate training before competing for the last time as an undergraduate debater in UKM Intervarsity Debating Tournament, followed by a presentation about UKM English Debate Team blue print. Then, I went to my master’s temple in Kampar. Spent a few days there and get to know a few more new friends; a Vietnamese monk (whom I already know since my last trip to Vietnam), a Cambodian monk and 2 more local permanent monks. All of them are quite nice. Can chat and joke around. Now, I need to think of my future. SHOULD I GET A JOB OR CONTINUE WITH MY STUDY IN MASTER DEGREE??? I am trying to do both at the same time by applying for jobs online. Hope that I can get a job that I am interested in with satisfactory salary or secure a scholarship or research assistant allowance to continue with my study. Either one will do. Just worry for the worst, can’t secure anyone of it. Then I really have to think about which path I should go for. Anyway, hope that Lord Buddha can enlighten me and show me some hint. AMITABHA…

FINAL CONTRIBUTION FOR UKM ENGLISH DEBATE TEAM

Tomorrow will be the do or die day for UKM debate team. PPP requested us to present a blue print to see whether we are a suitable partner for them in their effort to push forward for public speaking. It might be my last contribution for UKM debate family if I were not going to continue with master degree. As Darryl said before, we are so proud to see the development of UKM debate team. The number now is much bigger than the number that we have during my first year. We had recently able to organize a national level tournament. I do really enjoy the family kind of bonding within debate team. Frankly, I really feel a bit heavy –hearted to leave the team. Anyhow, a Chinese proverb said, there is no gathering that would not come to an end. I was really touched by the sentiment during our final team talk on Sunday.

I am not sure whether I was too dominated in some events in the debate team. Just like the presentation for tomorrow (I mean Monday, suppose to call it today). I am not sure whether I should still go for it or not. I am not sure whether I am over eager to do things for the team. It is not easy to call it a day. I still want to be in the team, whether as a debater, adjudicator, member etc. No wonder so many politicians refuse to step down. Now I understand their feeling.

Debate team took a lot of my first time. I hug a girl for the first time. I still remember that it was my first year Royals when we lost to IIUM in our semi final. For those who know me, I seldom have skin contact with girls. Debate family gives me warmness. Debate family caused me to almost cry (but I got my own way to control it. Haha…). I also give my first time in terms of sharing food with people to debate family. I remember I don’t mind to share Haagen-Dazs ice cream with others using the same spoon (which I seldom do it except for my family). I also like the filling of non-racial issues in UKM debate family. All of us can be together sincerely even though we come from different races. It is not easy to have this kind of relationship in other clubs. Our friendship will also not stop within the club. We used to gather together for non-debate stuff like movie, supper etc.

DEFINITELY SURE THAT I AM GOING TO MISS UKM DEBATE FAMILY.

UKM INTERVARSITY

UKM Intervarsity debating tournament is around the corner. It will be held on 7-9 May 2010. The last time UKM hosted a tournament was a few years back for Royals Cup. This definitely will be my last tournament as an undergraduate. Hope that my team and UKM contingent can achieve a better result in this self-organized tournament.