WORD on the street is that Barisan Nasional (BN) component parties UMNO, MCA and MIC look cordial on the outside but are actually fierce political rivals when they address their respective communities (back-stabbing and mud-slinging are not unusual).
If provocative language and racist insults can occur behind closed doors among members of the component parties, imagine the trauma this so-called biggest political coalition in Malaysia can inflict on other rival coalitions or smaller political rivals.
This could best explain the viral re-run video of UMNO deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan who is accused of inciting violence in the run-up to the 2018 general elections.
Back then, Tok Mat as he is affably known was caught on tape rallying UMNO Youth members to actively counter slanderous allegations made by the Opposition. He apparently said they should overturn tables at such coffee shops and that he would bail them out if they were arrested by the police.
The viral video is making its round at a time when the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (BERSIH) has strongly condemned any violence and acts of hooliganism towards political rivals.
On Saturday evening (Oct 22), a group of thugs disrupted a dinner event by Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (MUDA) at the Yong Sheng banquet hall in Muar.
A similar interruption had occurred earlier during a MUDA ceramah in Muar – which happens to be the parliamentary constituency of the party’s co-founder Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman on Oct 16.
Amazingly, following two police reports lodged by the state Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition against him, Mohamad in his self-defence expressed sadness that some of his critics had blown the matter out of proportion.
Mohamad who was then the Negri Sembilan menteri besar later clarified that those accusing him of promoting gangsterism had got it all wrong.
He said those who felt that he was advocating violence should have looked at his body language at the event and consider the fact that he spoke in the open.
“It was only a figure of speech when I told them that they should go ahead and flip tables at coffee shops when rebutting slander and lies spread by Opposition supporters. The event was about Gempur Pemuda (literally, Youth Attack) and I wanted them to counter the Opposition everywhere, including on social media,” he explained.
“I merely wanted them to get our election machinery in their respective areas moving and that they should not sit quietly while our opponents have a field day saying what they want against us.”
Amid a tight timeline for the snap poll – with nomination for the forthcoming 15th General Election (GE15) slated for Nov 5 and polling to take place a fortnight later – all candidates, party leaders and their entire party machinery must strive to put their emotions in check and the spirit of fair competition in high regard.
In so saying, just be mindful that whatever words that comes out of one’s mouth comes from the heart, and this is what defiles and dishonours the man. – Oct 25, 2022
Main pic credit: The Star
