LAST October in this column, I wrote Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem was quoted as having said: “I can and am able to form a government without Chinese representatives. But I don’t want my next government without Chinese representatives. I need to sort it out.”
I also wrote about a Dayak leader who predicted there will be no Chinese representation in the State BN government five years down the road.
For the past two years, Adenan has been trying to sort out the mess in which the two Chinese-based parties – SUPP and UPP – appear to be inextricably mired. For one reason only – he wants to have Chinese representation in his next cabinet.
This week, he repeated the same thing when a group of journalists from the Chinese media interviewed him.
The SUPP-UPP intransigence – some would call it egocentric bullheadedness – is now the last hurdle for the State BN before the State election, expected anytime from now. Have the Chinese community made up their mind whether they want to be in the government to play an active policy-making role or assume the watchdog mantle of check and balance on policy matters?
Admittedly, Adenan hasn’t got as much as he would have liked (or is there any progress?) in his endeavour to thaw the SUPP-UPP chilly relationship, based on the latest statements from the leaders of both parties.
SUPP president Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian said, in his usual “childlike” tone: “Why should it always be SUPP who is giving way? Don’t forget in the 70’s when PBB was in crisis, SUPP also helped them. If PBB and Umno have conflicts, is it that they have to give way too?”
It was not clear if Sim was referring to PBB that should give way but presumably, “they” here refers to PBB.
Sim continued to bring up the Umno issue, probing whether BN should allow a second Umno, given the bad blood between Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and Tun Mahathir Mohamad, and Najib and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin. He also brought in support from Sabah to the effect that SUPP should not create a precedent by allowing UPP to be admitted to BN.
The cardiologist-turned-politician knows every detail of the human physical heart – the smallest clot will not miss his sharp eyes but in his two years as SUPP president, sadly, he has misdiagnosed the problems at the heart of SUPP and the Chinese community.
Portraying himself as victorious, he painted the state “yellow,” (he said he has eight sets of yellow shirts) and has also been bestowed a role in parliament by the Prime Minister but what he has done for his party and the Chinese community since assuming the presidency is yet to be seen and evaluated.
UPP, seemingly on the defence, has shown considerably good discipline and stated it will leave the choice of candidates to the wisdom of Adenan, at the same time, expressing its willingness for a possible merger with SUPP, after the state election.
However, unsettled issues between the leaders of the two parties, each claiming to represent the Chinese, have left the majority of the community hanging from the horns of dilemma. To which one of the pair of swords-crossing parties should their hearts go?
Can I trust the party that portrays itself as in power, strong, mighty and able? Or should I settle for the meeker and humbler other half, given their unpropitious situation?
Ecclesiastes 9:11 says: “I have seen something else under the sun. The race is not to the swift or the battle to the strong, nor does food come to the wise or wealth to the brilliant or favour to the learned, but time and chance happen to them all.”
Yes, it is not always the strong, the mighty, the able, and the gifted that win in politics. The Book of Truth tells us natural gifts of speed, strength, and intellect are never enough to guarantee ultimate triumph.
Interestingly, opposition DAP state president Chong Chieng Jen has entered the fray with a veiled overture of the possibility of forming a unity government with the BN.
He said his party had not ruled out that possibility at the State level. The Bandar Kuching MP, always full of confidence and cockiness, had recently been described by Adenan as having an “inflated ego.”
Is the state DAP’s “merger” hint another alternative for the Chinese community?
Is Chong also attracted to be in the “Adenan’s team”?
If the state chairman of the predominantly Chinese DAP is looking at it as replacing the SUPP and UPP as their numbers in the State BN, isn’t he telling the Chinese community that it is alright to choose whoever the Chinese that Adenan picks for his dream team?
Adenan has shown much wisdom in handling the various issues in the State in his two years as Chief Minister. His call for the return of Chinese community to BN fold, as his government needs Chinese representation, is noble, right and justifiable.
However, among din of welcome, one little voice sounds out the difference.
“He should abandon the racial overtones in looking at problems. I hope he can be a Chief Minister who looks beyond race and religion. I hope he uses the uniqueness of Sarawak’s multiracial and multicultural features as the driving force to propel the State to a greater heights – into the world’s stage, well-equipped and able to compete in the global market,” Batu Lintang state assemblyman See Chee How said.
He was reported by a Chinese daily as expressing the hope that Adenan will gradually change the governance system and structure, putting aside the racial perspective and focusing on performance as his political objective.
“But he needs time. If he wants to make sure he leaves behind a legacy for the future generations, he needs to determine the whole structure for long-term planning and prospects of Sarawak.
“And this is not simply something that can be achieved in a short five-year term. So, there is a need to list down the whole process step by step to ensure changes and reforms to the whole government structure can be realised,” See said.
He wishes Adenan good health so that he will not only be looking at five years but 10 or even more years down the road.
“This is because Adenan’s plans need more than five years to bring to fruition. Five years is only enough to set the foundation – it’s beginning,” See added but was quick to point out he did not mean he was giving up hope for Pakatan Harapan to replace BN.
He went further to say it was not within the cabinet that reforms were needed.
“The State government’s structure does not end at the cabinet level but includes the whole administrative configuration, framework and setup. It is not possible to guarantee a few Chinese in the cabinet will meet the objective of full Chinese representation in the government. In truth, this can’t be ensured.”
See has looked beyond race, religion and a restrictive timeframe – certainly food for thought.
Ecclesiastes 10:5-7 proclaims: “There is an evil which I have seen under the sun as it were an error proceeding from the ruler: folly is set in many high places and the rich sit in a low place. I have seen slaves on horses, and princes walking on foot like slaves.”
Indeed, people in authority often appoint their incompetent friends to office. They put the wrong people in the right place – people who have no ability are exalted to high places while those with great ability have no opportunity.
Adenan has said he will put the right people as BN direct candidates regardless of party. Sim has not responded as to what SUPP will do if his chosen ones are not selected for “Adenan’s Team.”
What if SUPP also fields a candidate where Adenan has put a BN direct candidate? Will it then not be justifiable to say all those not in “Adenan’s Team, though elected, will not be appointed to his cabinet and administration?
This will be the real test for those who wish to serve the people.
May the Lord guide the leaders with His wisdom. And may the leaders understand the need for wisdom, clarity, equanimity and a true sense of purpose to enable them to fulfill their promises to the people with sincerity and integrity for the greater good of the country.