In any game or battle, there are the Rules of Engagement. Whether it be in government, enterprise, sports or war, there will be a rule to follow as reference.
In politics, there are no written rules and the limits of each attack or praise on one another determines how far the boundaries will either expand, or contract.
Often when trying to win the support of the people, it is not what good the participants can offer for the future of the nation but how badly they can portray their opponents, discrediting their integrity in leadership.
In recent weeks we have witnessed the aggressive stance taken by one party against another. Both have either formerly served or are currently serving in government.
One common denominator exists between them which is while in government they remain (ed) under UMNO.
Today the situation is different as the former has exited the party and is currently attacking the leadership.
Hence the stripping begins like in a poker game.
Where's The Fun If It Is Just Among These Men?
As the players are all men of age but not necessarily matured, tailored from the same cloth, each leaf of coating uncovered reveals the organs and ugly secrets from the past. Many can't recall these events through the web or print like we can today with more recent news from yesteryear.
What worry the grassroots and local leaders is that antagonism between these two opponents will only benefit the most commonly known enemy, the DAP who sit not in the 'strip poker' game but remain in the sidelines ready to spin and expand on these revelations.
While the barbs are only between the two parties representing the majority of the Malays, what benefit can it possibly bring them and the race itself?
We fear that if this continues it might implode when the people especially the Malay voters who prefer to ignore the bigger picture, decide to reject both and turn to the smaller and much less significant party to support.
Many feel that Barisan Nasional under Prime Minister Najib is strong enough to contest based on its credentials and reformation exercise in the last eight years in office, but realistically the Malay race are emotionally inclined as I have witnessed in the last week among our own party members when asked on the revelation of Tun Dr Mahathir's origin of ethnicity.
In a poker game, it is not wise to play with a person who has unlimited capital of the same currency.
In other words in twenty two years at the helm, one will definitely have gathered enough chips to play a lifetime of poker.
For every hit the former gets from those who served under his administration we will see a counter attack of equal proportions if not bigger.
It has arrived at a situation where one party has nothing to lose and sentiments for the future of this country is no longer top on his priority list.
We on the other hand have the responsibility to see this Nation grow in the midst of the changes in the global culture and to safeguard our seat as an active participant in world growth for our future generation.
Hence the TN50.
Never in the past administrations have we sought the views of the youths to help us chart the sort of future that they would want to live in. Maximum engagement is given under the leadership of Najib today.
In this respect, we must not plan our assault like we have nothing to lose with everything to gain, but put to the scale some diplomacy, our testimony from the last eight years, and a strong dash of youth to remind their peers not to fall into the trap of someone who banks on their ignorance of the past in the absence of the internet.
Seek That Balance, In The True Spirit Of The Symbol That Is Our Barisan Nasional Logo.
But If We Still Insist On Playing Strip Poker, Do Invite A Few Attractive Members From The Opposition Without The Same Dna.
It Would Be More Gratifying For Sure.
