[1] Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, the
self-declared mastermind behind the ongoing Kajang-Selangor-Menteri Besar-PKR
fiasco, has decided to ‘come clean’ with the thinking and reasoning behind PKR’s
moves. Read his blog post here.
[2] By spelling out PKR’s
objectives and the need to ‘address UMNO dynamics’, Rafizi hopes that the
Rakyat would understand and accept PKR’s moves. He even says ‘Punish us if you
must!’ (Dramatization mine). Boy oh boy.
[3] The blog post has been
artfully written but is ultimately fraught with unsubstantiated reasoning,
contradictions and deflections.
[4] There is also a glaring
omission: He hasn’t justified “Why Anwar?”
[5] I’ll be asking “Why
Anwar?” over what I’d like to call the 3
missing points:
a. Making Selangor “better” *Why Anwar*
b. Selangor’s current ADUNs *Why Anwar*
Missing Point 1: Why Anwar? Can only
he make Selangor “better”?
[6] Read the post carefully. Rafizi
attempts to justify the by-election as a solution to certain issues, but then
flip-flops and thereafter tries to hoodwink the reader.
[7] Firstly,
the unsubstantiated excuse:
On one hand, he praises current MB Khalid Ibrahim’s administration as setting a
gold standard. But then he says they need a ‘radical approach to solving the
traffic woes, (and) the pace of affordable public housing has to pick up’. He
then bizarrely alludes towards water issues and the protection of minorities.
Okay... so, why Anwar? Yes, he’s known
to be a great orator, but I doubt he is the solution to the traffic, housing,
water, and minority problems in the State.
[8] Secondly,
the flip-flop:
Despite alluding towards a change in MB and policy, he then stops short of
saying whether Khalid will be replaced by Anwar (or someone else). So, is he
the mastermind or is he not? Or could we be in for a surprise?
[9] Thirdly,
the hoodwink:
Okay, so then he talks about the need to use Selangor as a launch pad and “showcase
for Pakatan in its quest for Putrajaya”. This sounds credible. But, the fact is that PR was doing quite well BEFORE this crazy decision. At the moment,
it is Khalid Ibrahim who is closer to being Erdogan and Jokowi, while Anwar Ibrahim comes across as being George
Bush in the Florida Supreme Court or
Tywin Lannister from the Game of Thrones series (and if you find my
analogies to be bad, that’s the point I’m trying to make about Rafizi’s analogy
too).
[10] Rafizi attempts to
salvage the argument by taking the middle path. He says PR can do “better”. At
this stage, “better” debate arguments are needed.
Missing Point 2: Why Anwar? Is the
current leadership not good enough?
[11] Assuming the problems
above are as grave as painted, why can’t
any of the other Pakatan Rakyat ADUNs step in? Or why can’t PR as a whole
discuss implementing these changes? After
all, they do command a 2/3 majority in the Selangor State Legislative Assembly
(Selangor SLA).
[12] In the Selangor SLA, PR holds
44 of the 56 seats. PAS and DAP both have 15 seats, while PKR has 13 (after Kajang
ADUN Lee Chin Cheh’s resignation). DAP already holds the Speaker’s position. This
means that PAS, which had more seats even before Lee Chin Cheh’s resignation
has a stake in the MB-ship should Khalid step down.
[13] Reports say that PAS will
put forward their own candidate (who happens to be Selangor Exco for housing).
Dear Rafizi, if public housing is a problem, here’s your (PAS) guy, just
waiting to step up.
[14] The truth is that the
current leadership has nothing to do with this. It’s sufficient and has been
working relatively well – the 2/3rd’s proves it.
[15] The elephant in the room (which everyone else kinda knows about) is the
feud between Azmin and Khalid Ibrahim.
Anwar is being brought in to placate the feuding parties. Unfortunately, this
is being done to the chagrin of the PR coalition and their supporters.
Missing Point 3: Why Anwar? To fight
UMNO and Fortify Pakatan?
[16] Rafizi then tells us that
there is a need to fortify Pakatan in Selangor and address UMNO’s race and
religious games. He doesn’t want a “Kedah” to happen (but doesn’t substantiate
how the situations are similar). Nevertheless, a few thoughts:
a. Why
Anwar? With
2/3rd’s of the Selangor SLA, PR can easily amend State laws to fall in line
with their (almost non-existent) position on contentious issues affecting
religion and race. Even without changing the law, Selangor-ians (and
Penangnites) and civil society have shown maturity in dealing with provocation and
the situation. Anwar may only enflame
the situation.
b. Why
Anwar? How
is he becoming an ADUN or MB going to ‘fortify Pakatan in Selangor’? If at all,
he’s more a liability. This only
proves that Anwar wants power at any and
all cost, and/or that Anwar needs to
protect Azmin (hint: political sugar daddy).
c. Why
Anwar? How
have things changed since GE13 (about 8 months ago) that requires Anwar’s
presence in Selangor? (He’s already in Parliament, and de facto Opposition leader).
And how will he change things?
[17] Such a grand proposal,
but unsubstantiated. In debating circles, Rafizi’s
proposed plan would be deemed a problem-solution mismatch.
Conclusion
[18] Who
knows, Rafizi may spring a surprise. Anwar might win but not be made MB.
They might just make PAS’ candidate the MB or retain Khalid. Suddenly the plan
will be lauded as a ‘great’ one.
[19] Whatever Rafizi or PKR’s
plan is, the bottom line is that the Kajang-folks’ mandate has been breached,
this is pot calling the kettle black (i.e. the Perak crisis), and overall, it’s
just undemocratic.
[20] The fragility of the PR coalition
is going to be tested in the upcoming weeks. Frankly, I wished DAP and PAS
would be more honest with themselves – one of their partners is messing up
their plans and their supporters clearly notice it.
Welcome, Kajang-gate.
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