Power behind the throne

If I were Khairy, I would take it easy as he is already acknowledged as the de facto Prime Minister.

Earlier, I read about an incumbent MP or ADUN, waiting anxiously for him at the Umno Headquarters - all because he wanted to know if he will be selected as candidate for the coming General Elections.

The Straits Times reported:

"FOR the past month, Mr Khairy Jamaluddin's cellphone has been swamped with calls and messages from politicians pushing a similar request: 'Put in a good word for me with the boss.'

Over the next 10 days, the deputy youth chief of the United Malays National Organisation (Umno), and who is also Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi's son-in-law, expects those appeals to become bolder.

'Many believe that a word to the PM will do the trick, but the process is very complex,' said Mr Khairy, who is widely expected to be fielded as a candidate in the central state of Negeri Sembilan.

With nomination for candidates set for Feb 24, the already intense lobbying to represent the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) in the coming election has jumped several notches.

So has the horse-trading for seats among component parties of BN.

At stake will be 222 parliamentary seats and 505 seats in 12 state assemblies."

The rise of Khairy under Pak Lah must have been one of the main reasons which aggravated Dr. Mahathir's heart. He must have regretted not letting any of his children to get involved in politics earlier. Next to Pak Lah, he seems a gentleman in this respect.

Another gentleman is going to bite the dust, seems a pity, according to the following news:

New Straits Times reported:

KOTA BARU: Member of Parliament for Kota Baru and lawyer Datuk Zaid Ibrahim has been dropped from the Kelantan Barisan Nasional line-up.

Zaid, who won in his first attempt in 2004, confirmed that he had been informed of the decision by state BN and Umno chairman Datuk Seri Annuar Musa on Jan 21.

Zaid, 56, said he was not bitter over the move and would continue to support the BN."I do not know the reason I was dropped but personally, I feel I have been a good MP.

I have done my best."I am quite easy. I will serve if they want me to, if not, I will find other things to do," he said at his residence at Pasir Hor here.

Zaid said he would not lobby to be put back on the list or meet the prime minister."I didn't lobby (for the seat the last time) and I will not do it now."I accept the decision."

While those in BN fight over prized candidacies, our mainstream newspapers were highlighting comments from disgruntled DAP workers over parachuting candidates in Penang. I would tend to agree with Michael Ng's comment in the second part of his letter to Malaysiakini:

Temiang rep holding BN to ransom

"I would also like to refer to the Malaysiakini report Penang - fireworks guaranteed.
With news about opposition party DAP bringing in outsiders to Penang to contest in the coming general elections, it seems that some members of our mainstream press are already playing their roles as hatchet men for the government."

"What’s so wrong about bringing in outsiders to contest in a general election if the chosen candidates are of high-calibre? These kinds of situations do not come at the expense of local leaders.

Anyone who wishes to put himself, or herself, up for election must understand and appreciate his or her own capabilities and limitations. Being a good grassroots leader does not guarantee effectiveness or success in Parliament or in the state assembly.

Localised issues may be easy for grassroots leaders to solve, but when it comes to performance in Parliament or the state assembly, that's another level. I cannot imagine them crossing swords with the prime minister or seasoned ministers and MPs on issues affecting the country, economy and the world at large.

In my opinion, the so-called ‘parachuted candidates’ that the DAP proposes fielding in the upcoming general elections are highly qualified.

What is important for the constituents is to have able and capable candidates who look after their interests, speak up for them without fear or favour and can get the job done. It doesn't matter if they are from the government or from the opposition.

Local representatives for my constituency are so incompetent but get elected each time because of the party that they represent. The time has come for the people to vote first for the individual (in some cases) and second for the party.

To local leaders who feel sidelined by their parties’ introduction of new candidates, please look in the mirror and ask yourself ‘Why did the party not nominate me to stand in the coming general election?’ I am sure the reasons are plenty."

While we should consider good party workers to stand for election, we should consider the larger interest of the party. I am sure BN is envious of people like Liew Chin Tong, Jeff Ooi and Dr. P. Ramasamy, who are men of calibre in their respective fields, joining DAP which promises nothing more than a chance to take on the ruling party.

One morning, a senior citizen whom I know as DAP’s Bemban branch leader, dropped by to sell some DVDs of a debate in Mandarin between some MCA and DAP youth leaders. He said he has been with DAP since 17 (if I heard correctly) and he appears to be still as dedicated to the party cause. When I mentioned this fact to my friend who was with me, he said, ‘such people has no prospects’. I told him that there are some who are looking for opportunities to advance their political careers while there are others who are just good party workers with no political ambitions.

If everybody wants to be a leader, who wants to be led? Personally, I am of the type who is willing to lead only if after scraping the bottom of the barrel, there is no one better than me!