A pearl of wisdom from Taiwan’s first female president

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LAST week saw the Taiwanese people elect their first female president in Tsai Ing-Wen.

In her victory speech, she hailed a “new era” in Taiwan and pledged to co-operate with other political parties on major issues and make the will of the Taiwanese people the basis for relations with the mainland.

While vowing to preserve the status quo in relations with China, she, however, stressed Beijing must respect Taiwan’s democracy and both sides must ensure there are no provocations.

“I also want to emphasise both sides of the Taiwan Strait have a responsibility to find mutually acceptable means of interaction based on dignity and reciprocity,” she added.

I had been following Tsai’s campaign over the presidential election period. Whether it was her election speeches or the eloquent articulations on international affairs she delivered earlier as a presidential candidate, I felt enlightened by it all.

On the home front, we can also expect to hear and read plenty about election speeches as the State gears up for polling which should be held before June 30 this year. It’s no wonder someone quips “let’s eat election, talk election, sleep election.” But even so, let’s eat wisely, talk with substance and conviction, and sleep peacefully.

I almost fell off my chair when I accidentally clicked on one DAP YB’s Facebook and saw his postings of four questions (in Chinese), challenging SUPP and UPP to answer them. I believe both SUPP and UPP will not waste valuable time entertaining such frivolous and  childish questions.

What did this opposition YB ask?

A friend of mine said as an observer of local politics, he would like to answer the four questions on behalf of SUPP and UPP.

Question 1: Will SUPP and UPP distribute PM Najib’s ang pows to the public during Chinese New Year? If not, why?

Answer: Yes, we will. We will not only distribute Najib’s ang pows but also print all the ang pows of senior ministers, junior ministers and aspiring candidates and distribute them to make sure it will be a sea of red packets from BN ministers this CNY. Since the answer is ‘yes,” there is no need to answer “why.”

Question 2: In the last State election, SUPP distanced itself from the former Chief Minister and used Najib for publicity? Is SUPP going to use Najib again in its propaganda this election? If not, why?

Answer: Yes, we will definitely use Najib. By using Najib, it will reflect the “greatness” of Adenan. In addition, we shall use Najib to distribute goodies and Adenan to “demand.” Then the voters can see in Sarawak, we have to support PBB and BN. Again, since the answer is “yes,” there is no need to answer “why.”

Question 3: Will SUPP and UPP be using CM Adenan as their political propaganda? Besides riding on Adenan’s popularity, can’t you perform?

Answer: Yes. (You are afraid of Adenan?) Besides resorting to personal attacks on PM Najib and CM Adenan, can DAP do anything else?

Question 4: DAP wish to see if SUPP and UPP dare to answer these three questions. If they can’t, dare not or don’t know how to answer, then, what else can they do?

Answer: Oh, we can, we dare and we know how to answer these questions. But we are not arrogant and taken to being boastful for the sake of boasting and criticise for the sake of criticising. Nor claiming credit where it’s not due. No need to stoop to such chicanery for the mere sake of scoring cheap political mileage.

At the rate these YBs, who have been in office for years, are going, IMHO (in my humble opinion), I will not be hearing any enlightening speeches other than stale recycled rhetoric at political ceremahs.

Of course, I can expect to hear a lot of self-praises and self-glorification from the candidates – like how they have brought positive changes and solutions to resolve issues (big and small) affecting the people. But in truth, how many of them, from both political sides of the divide, can honestly say they have an unblemished and meritorious report card to show for after warming a YB seat over the past five years?

I maintain what I can expect from the candidates (incumbents or new faces) are three simple things – talk big, talk small, talk personal.

Now, what are the big topics that deserve due attention?

With oil prices potentially hitting rock bottom and our economy anticipated to be badly affected by it as a result, what can you elected representatives do to lessen the burden of the people despite making all sorts of glowing promises during election time?

When globalisation causes economic turbulence, what seems to be missing is a forum where politicians can sit down and find ways to get a handle on crucial issues like hike in living costs, for instance, at the same time, working with sincerity towards fulfilling the expectations of the people.

Tsai divulged at an international talk before the Taiwanese presidential election she is ready to undertake a new model of economic development, aimed at building a new economy, based on innovation, employment and distribution, and also implement a community-based social safety net to complement the undertaking as well as traditional family-based care systems.

“These will serve as an important basis for innovation, sustainability, distribution and social justice,” she said.

A pertinent question often asked is what is the take of politicians on the terrorist threat to world peace? Regrettably, what we frequently see are politicians who are trouble-makers instead of peace-makers.

As the Barb proclaims in his play, The Merchant of Venice: “How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a weary world.”

Tsai said: “As Asia faces rising nationalism, irredentism and threat of military conflict, we intend to engage in proactive peace diplomacy that fosters peace and stability with the spirit of giving and sharing.”

These are the “big things” to be expected at the local level from our elected representatives who readily accept (or expect) people to address them as Yang Berhormat or the honorable one. If you so love such exaltation, live up to it, YBs, not in words but, more importantly, in deeds as you solemnly promise to deliver in the hastings at every election.

Each constituency has its own unique set of problems — flooding, drainage and security, among them. What have you YBs to say about this?

According to Tsai, the most important thing is to be prepared to be open and transparent in terms of government policies that concern the general public.

“I will come up with a policy to encourage the establishment of NGOs so that they are in a position to act as a bridge between the government and the public. They will serve as a communication channel too,” she said.

I like Tsai most when she gets up close and personal. Let’s see how this question was posed and how she answered it with a feminine touch.

Question: In any line of work, you will have people you look up to. As you look in your own political backyard, or around the world, give me a couple of examples of leaders whom you say you really admire as a person and you really like what they bring to the table.

Tsai: Well, many people will expect me to answer that question with Mrs Thatcher. But I was reminded by many of our supporters that perhaps she is not the leader for us because she was a conservative leader and we are a democratic party. So I have to look for another one. So someone suggested Merkel, and yes, I like her a lot. She can be a model but we are also in a situation that is very different from Germany. As to whether she is a model I can follow, I should say yes. But there are others who are also not necessarily leaders but women politicians I like a lot and have learnt a lot from.

“I will like to name this lady who is not considered as a political leader. But her professionalism in dealing with difficult issues has delighted me a lot, particularly in the 1980’s. I am talking about Barshefky (Charlene).”

Tsai’s take on Xi Jinping? Check it up.

Till then, those claiming to be the honorable ones and aspiring to be called YBs, please ask intelligent questions and please also answer like one who is honorable enough not to assume he or she has the right – a misplaced one at that – to take voters for a ride!