Najib has the choice

of using the carrot or the stick.

Having settled himself in the 'driving seat' with practically unlimited powers, it is difficult to dislodge him. Nathaniel Tan warns about being complacent in our ways of criticising him at every turn, which loses effect and support from the voters.

It is easier dealing with Najib with a big stick which is likely to win Pakatan popular support, than him meeting popular demands (including those made by Pakatan) which effectively wins him support. He has every reason to use the latter method, even if it is just to keep his post.

jelas.info: Essay: Playing smart against Najib (excerpts):

Our job as commentators however, should always involve scrutinising the big picture, identifying where the truly important pivots of change are, and mapping out the road ahead. We must constantly seek the best strategy for long term success, and work for change in the ways that will make the most difference.

I feel that in the first week of his reign, too many of us have taken the easy way out as far as criticising our new prime minister goes.

I don’t actually think such cynicism or dismissals are misplaced, but I do fear Najib’s opponents are underestimating his recent tactics a little.

Najib’s first victories

Najib’s relatively easy ride to assuming the highest office of the land was his first coup. While the nation was distracted by the three by-elections, Najib sailed through easily to his swearing-in ceremony, finally achieving what he as yearned for for decades.

Yet, there he successfully sits now - having outmanouvered his opponents and evaded all serious opposition to his appointment to arguably the only political post that really matters in the land. A post from which so very much can be controlled.

Najib surprised many by going in the complete opposite direction. In what Nik Nazmi termed triangulation, Najib took more than a few pages from Pakatan’s book when he released ISA detainees, and placed unexpected emphasis on national unity, free media, and all of those other good things.

I have seen enough from Najib however, within his first week, to feel that it would be foolhardy for Pakatan and its supporters to casually dismiss Najib’s moves, and expect that the public will never fall for them. Voting electorates are traditionally fickle.

I think a better precautionary tack for Pakatan to take is to prepare seriously for the possibility - no matter how remote - that Najib may be willing to initiate some manner of reforms in order to survive politically, and that these tactics may pay off at the ballot box some day.

Pirating political products

The first reason for this is that we must never, ever underestimate the instinct for survival, and the degree to which it may influence one’s actions.

Whoever is advising Najib has thus far provided a very accurate, in my view, reading of the Malaysian political landscape.
While it is good to have a successful product to sell, piracy by competitors can cause serious damage to one’s business, and this is what Pakatan should be wary of. Constant improvement and refinement of the products we market must be the norm.
We have spoken at length, and I think accurately, of the increase in voter sophistication. This may be, however, a sword that cuts both ways.

It is unwise for Pakatan to rely on anti-BN sentiment alone to carry it all the way to Putrajaya. If this were the case, the unlikely but ultimately still possible reform of BN will cut the legs from under Pakatan and deflate its momentum considerably.

To lash out blindly with vicious attacks even when the PM makes gestures, no matter how small, in the right direction, runs the risk of making his opponents look petty, and commentators prejudiced. Such a situation would see us experience a deficit of credibility.

While I did not fully agree with them at the time, I find myself having more sympathy now with some of the positions taken by people who were pro-Pakatan, but against the planned September 16th takeover.

They reasoned then that Pakatan should instead concentrate on governing the states they controlled, and look forward to the next general elections.

In my view, this now seems wise - in light of practical considerations, if not of moral or ethical ones.
As such, it would be timely for Pakatan to postpone any immediate takeover plans, and refocus their energy on the administration of their states, as well as on on playing the role of an effective opposition at the federal level (that oft mentioned shadow cabinet couldn’t possibly come at a better time).

At the end of the day, what will really matter is who the public perceives to govern better - it’s as simple as that.
Push every issue for the betterment of the rakyat, and demand more and more accountability at every opportunity. Do this well, and the rakyat will see the benefits of checks and balances as well as healthy political competition.

The Pakatan-BN competition should continue as vigorously as possible, as they try to outdo each other in terms of integrity and service to the rakyat. That is how a democracy is supposed to work, and that is how we go about creating a better Malaysia.

I don’t really see how you will reconcile 1Malaysia with your party’s Ketuanan Melayu, but you are welcome to try. If you fail to go beyond rhetoric, I reckon your political future will be short.
We will always be watching.

Lastly, if you’re anywhere near serious about turning over a new leaf, give us back Perak. Bukit Gantang is the last nail in that particular coffin - no one outside your party (and plenty within) can possibly justify this ridiculous usurpation of power.
We’ll accept some of your rhetoric with an open heart Mr. Prime Minister, out of basic human decency; but make deed match word, or see your party meet extinction very, very soon.

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