The Aftermath Realisation

I am still euphoric about the outcome of the whole 12th general election. Seriously, is it possible? Is this a dream? Has the mighty BN finally been humbled? Yet, from what I am reading from MSM and Malaysiakini, there is no real acceptance of reality and worse still, a lot of yes men and women instead yelling their "whole hearted" support.

I can see why they are still happy though. The art of governance is different from the art of criticism. Just like when we see how someone could play football well, we can even compare the different players and the best style in scoring the ball, it doesn't mean we can play it well. So will Barisan Rakyat succeed? Can they finally be the alternative the rakyat so yearn? The real change?

Source: http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/object/3655597_super_hero.php?id=3655597

We all love heroes. It doesn't matter if it is fictional, so long as it is believable. We may be adults as we grow old, become more cynical of the reality we perceive, yet we do look for heroes. Afterall, heroes inspire us in some way. To act in a manner we ourselves, on our own, may not be able to perform. I must say, from this election, I have found my fair share of political and/or social justice heroes. People like RPK, Haris Ibrahim, Malik Imtiaz (really admire him during the Al Jazeera interview), Nurul Izzah, Tony Pua, Jeff Ooi, Po Kuan and Teresa Kok to name a few.

So, when some, if not all, of our heroes are given the power and authority to bring changes, wouldn't we be euphoric? Yet, our heroes are but human. My immediate concern is whether can they perform up to expectation of the rakyat? I know that in relation to toll rate hikes, this is under the purview of Federal government. The ability of any of the opposition-led state governments to seek reduction, let alone abolishment, of such toll rate hikes would be impossible. Also, when it comes to petrol, gas and diesel prices, only the Federal government can decide whether to continue to subsidy or not.

Our federation, unlike USA or even Australia, has largely succeeded in centralising wide ranges of power. From my limited understanding, the only prominent roles the States held where Federal government will beg are matters relating to land, appointment of city councillors and Islam. Hence, this begs the question, how far can our opposition-led state governments fulfill all their pledges? I believe, in every area under their purview like introduction of local state elections (if possible), reorganising city council appointments, streamlining the service provision, cutting unnecessary costs and enhance revenue collection, renegotiating contracts, use of open tender system and such would help.

Source: http://www.looklocally.com/10907.htm

But how will they help the security issues especially with the increasing crime rate? I am cracking my head as well trying to figure out how the limited powers of state government can help in this matter. Can they intervene in the affairs of the state police? Somehow I feel they are powerless. Perhaps by helping one another, the five states can form a Coalition of Five to request for assistance from the Federal government? This present a whole new working relationship the opposition must have as they practice their G2G skills.

Yet the pospects of governing a nation is daunting. I believe, even the opposition members themselves are fearful. I believe many asked themselves, "What if we fail?" To be honest, failure is not an option. Because deep in our hearts, we know BN will never reform unless it loses the seat of power i.e. the Federal government. It might be disappointed with the present result, but it is not badly hurt. They still control the oil producing states. They control the nation's purse. They control the civil service and defense forces. They freely appoint judicial members and enact laws within the confines of the Constitution.

The opposition-led state governments face a trying time. Perhaps Kelantan balanced development suffices for them, but will the other states be content?

Like Tan Sri Khalid indirectly hinted in relation to funding, which requires cooperation and understanding, for the betterment of this nation, the Federal and state governments shoul not forget who the real bosses are. We strongly yearn for a change and we had a tsunami. Don't make us desperate.