BARISAN NASIONAL COMPONENTS PARTIES- WHAT IS THEIR FUTURE FATE?

The Barisan Nasional (BN) or National Front was established in 1973 by late Tun Abdul Razak with the aim of unifying the political parties based in Malaysia with a common objective to keep governing the country and also to maintain its multi-racial image since the country is a multi-racial country. Many political parties were admitted so that the chances of winning the elections were made much easier and the BN were able to use the machineries of the respective components parties to secure a victory. Although UMNO was made to lead this coalition since the Prime Minister was from UMNO, the other parties also enjoyed much clout and representation. But this idealogy is slowly fading away due to the superiority attitude of UMNO of late. Will BN last, will greatly depend on the coming polls. If the BN loses, as usual, component parties will break and some may even join the ruling party or challege the polls on their own. But one thing is for certain, UMNO, MIC and MCA, the Alliance partners or 'Big Brothers' as they are called in the BN, will always work together and sing or swim together.

The recent UMNO General Assembly had given the BN component parties a wake-up call. The UMNOputras had showed their supremacy and certain actions have undermined this unity that had be forged for so long. For instance, the RM3 Million given to each UMNO division leader is an example. But in the Dewan Rakyat a few days ago, it was told that it was for rural development under Rural Development Ministry. If it is under the government, why say that UMNO division heads will be given this money to implement and co-ordinate the projects. If it is public funds then government officers need to be involved for accountability and transparency purposes. It is also learnt that these projects have been expresso, so that the UMNO leaders and branches could materially benefit from this allocation. The UMNO President, who is also the Prime Minister clearly knows that the majority of the delegates were businessmen and the real reason for gaining this division leadership was to enhance their business. The Prime Minister's offer to these delegates were also to buy their gab for not raising the sabotage attempts carried out by the entire UMNO Supreme Council against Tun Dr Mahathir from being elected as a delegate. Everyone knows this act is illegal and will land UMNO in deep trouble but by offering these goodies, the delegates had forgotten this illegal act and the party could continue to be administered since the general body had not made a single remark about this illegal act. See how the government of the day is using public funds to reach their objectives.

Many fiery speeches were also allowed so that the concentration of the delegates were to focus on the non-malays and not to bring out the flaws outlined by Tun Dr Mahathir against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and his administration. Most of the speeches and actions were sensitive in nature and could be charged against the Sediction Act. As usual, to distort the delegates, UMNO allowed them to voice these grievances openly.

The UMNOputras fail to realise that the Barisan Nasional will not be able to form a government without the faithful assistance of the non-malays. The malays as usual were divided and unpredictable when a voting is called. Now the government had announced that investigation by the authorities will be carried out, just to show the non-malays that they are important. Why isn't any member until now not been arrested and charged since it was a live-telecast. The answer is simple, UMNOputras can say and do anything, nothing will happen. When a non-malay sends a memo to the Prime Minister, talked about misused of school funds in Muar or question the rational behind withdrawing recognisation of Ukraine medical degress, these non-malays were immediately reprimanded. It is time for the non-malays to take stock of the situation and not to be bought by some goodies. These goodies are public funds that should be correctly used for the benefit of the whole rakyat not just for a few.

Component parties had always portrayed the identity of 'Bangsa Malaysia', meaning everyone of us are Malaysians and not identified as being malay, chinese, indians, ibans, kadazans or so forth or bumiputra or non-bumiputra. It was recently revealed that this is just a 'fairy tale' to please the non-malays. The malays have been enjoying special privileges through the New Economic Policy (NEP) and this community knows the benefits the race had gained and enjoyed which now they refuse to part with. It was actual meant for 20 years, but the BN government led by UMNO kept extending with cooked-up statitics so that UMNO and BN can remain in power. The malays would be a total wreck if these privileges were withdrawn since they have never learned to stand on their own two feet. The government was able to shadow these grants by using the petrolieum royalities but it is predicted that it will deplete by the next 10 to 15 years. When the Bangsa Malaysia was first introduced together with the Rukun Negara, the rakyat were pleased and had tolerated this disparity since it would not be forever. But now it seems otherwise. It is not the entire malays who are seeking this privilege but the UMNOputras. This is where the problem arises, UMNO members want an edge against government contracts so that they could all be rich without really working hard for it.

Various dealings of the present government is also worrisome. The Prime Minister has been quoted as being not in control of the situation. It seems his son-in-law, Khairy Jamaluddin is a key-player. Some projects announced have also affected the sovereignity of the nation. Some decisions for scrapping certain projects agreed upon by the previous cabinet have become a focal of debate.

What may come, it is all up to the rakyat to decide. If they still want to retain this irresponsible and crooks as their government, then nothing can be done. Actually it is all in the hands of the rakyat, Who must be in and Who must be out.

Looking at the current scenario, UMNO is only worried about the UMNOputras and the rest of the component parties need to fend for themselves or beg UMNO for some benefits. This is not what BN component parties had expected when they joined the coalition. It was suppose to be a collective agreement between all the coalition partners. Although at the Barisan Nasional Supreme Council, every member has a same and equal say but in the government this is not extended. UMNO seems to dominate the rest and if this prolongs, this coalition will face a setback since non-UMNO members rights and privileges are secondary. Just sweet talks will not solve or calm the current situation any more since the internet medias report everything rather than the printed medias. The rakyat are more educated, well informed and are able to rationalise their situation.

There are even talks by certain component parties deciding to merger within to have a greater say. But whatever their intentions, it will not affect the whole situation. As long as Barisan Nasional rules, UMNO will dictate and the rest will have to follow.

Looking at the events and comments, Barisan Nasional will face a big struggle within its coalition and only time will tell. If the BN component parties are really caring for their members, they will break and team-up with the others to have a more Malaysianise party.

The TIME FOR CHANGE has to come and ONLY THE RAKYAT CAN DO THIS.