BN, don’t be sour grapes!
The Penang and Selangor Pakatan Rakyat state governments’ move to provide annual allocations to opposition assemblymen is seen as new era for Malaysian politics and democracy.
The gesture signals the Pakatan-led states’ recognition of the importance and roles played by BN opposition assemblymen in providing regular checks and balances to ensure effective administration of the two states.
Though the move is something new here, it has nevertheless been a common practice in democracies like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Great Britain, Taiwan and South Korea, where the leaders of the opposition are recognised by the governments.
Apart from recognising the leader of the opposition, these nations also recognised the institution of the shadow cabinet to oversee government ministers and their offices within the administration.
However, the BN assemblymen in Penang and Selangor had refused to accept the annual allocations as they reasoned that BN-led state governments had never allocated annual funds to the opposition Pakatan assemblymen, while Pakatan members of parliament similarly had never received annual allocations from the federal government.
The BN assemblymen in Penang and Selangor also felt particularly slighted by the offer as they felt that it was an attempt to entice their support and crossover.
Now, why are these BN assemblymen being hypocritical by refusing the annual allocations to their constituencies when these funds are supposed to be channelled to the people via their elected representatives? In turning down the offer, they are also refusing the recognition of their opposition role accorded by the Penang and Selangor governments.
It clearly shows that these BN assemblymen are unable to adapt to their new roles in the opposition bench and do not understand what democracy is all about.
Or, could it be that they are merely following instructions from the top BN leadership not to accept any allocation or recognition from the two state governments?
That being the case, then it is only proper or logical that they quit their seats to pave the way for by-elections to elect new representatives to serve their people.
One cannot fault the Penang and Selangor governments which have been acting professionally and “gentlemanly” in its decision to set aside allocations for their political opponents. They do not view the opposition assemblymen as “enemies” but instead consider them as partners in the administration.
On the other hand, the BN-led state governments have been treating opposition assemblymen as enemies of the state, political pests and not recognising their roles. Opposition-held constituencies are also denied development funds as punishment to the voters there.
It is about time the BN should realise that it should work closely with its political friends from the other side to run the states in a smart partnership for the benefit of the people and for democracy’s sake..
BN leaders have always been claiming that their government has been running like the Westminster system, but are they actually doing what they have been preaching?
Honestly, BN has a long way to go.
