DURING the 2011 Sarawak State election, the Democratic Action Party (DAP) presented their hornbill mascot – UBAH. It was a hit and in big demand in the city areas, and eventually, production couldn’t keep up with demand.
Five years on, the state election is due once again and the media have spread the word that DAP would continue what they started by presenting UBAH 2.0 in the form of an embellished warrior. My thoughts are that the first Ubah strategy is like a box-office hit … without a worthy sequel.
In 1991, the Wong Fei-Hung biography movie titled ‘Once upon a time in China’ stormed the cinemas. Two years later, Tall In The Saddle and Lion King continued to draw audiences. However, when the fourth and fifth sequels – King of the Wind and City J-Pa – came out, they proved clearly inadequate, failing to even come within a whiff of the pulling power of their progenitor – Once Upon A Time In China – and were put in mothballs.
Will the fiery UBAH slogan follow the fate of the Wong Fei-Hung movie sequels and end up in the drain? At this moment, it maybe difficult to say. What is unmistakable though is that this round, Adenan (Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem) is given support by many. If DAP are still persistent and refuse to change, what kind of results will they get once the ballot boxes are opened?
In any case, we all can see there aren’t many new ideas or surprises in the party’s propaganda. The UBAH concept has been tightly entangled with the now “Ubah-ed” Mahathir. Will the peninsular-based opposition party still use UBAH as their main showpiece? Obviously, they are facing a dilemma in strategising their political approach.
Although Pakatan Rakyat (RP) and BN had been crossing swords to secure the seat of power in the last two elections, they seem to be sharing a similar mission. Patently, they believe the path leading to the coveted prize of governance should be smoothened and cleared for them in the name of development for the country and the people. What audacity!
Also, what is utterly uncouth and unacceptable are the outrageous performances of some senior leaders from both parties during press conferences. Confucius said: “If a leader’s will is good, work will be done without orders.”
Thus, if a leader’s will is not righteous, how will work be done even if orders are given?
Unfortunately, after years of immersing in flattery and puffery, DAP still seem like being confident of retaining the support of the towns and cities. But in reality, the party leaders have turned a blind eye to the damning online comments and a deaf ear to the visible grouses on the street against them.
They seem to have lost their judgement and overlooked the possibility of change in people’s thoughts.
What is even worse is members of the party have repeatedly turned around and worked against their own people. When grudges are growing and long-term enemies made, once a war is triggered, one can only imagine how many people will step forward to enforce the law for the greater good.
An UBAH warrior is depicted with his or her red cape flying, a magnificent shield in one hand and a sharp spear in the other.
So what? That’s the question people are asking now.