All's fair in Love and War?

ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE AND WAR.

What the above expression means is that everything goes in Malaysian politics today. In the IFL,(International Fight League) you see combatants pummel each other using whatever styles they can muster. They do so because, everything is permitted. Elbows, take-downs, all kinds of submission holds. You do it sitting down, standing, lying by your sides, or flat on your back. I don’t mean any other thing ok.

Now in such an IFL fight you don’t ever use the rules as set out in the Marquess of Queensbury. That would be suicidal. You will have yourself to blame.

Hence, what you see presently in Malaysian politics is similar to a IFL fight. You want to be a gentleman? You go ahead and you are eaten alive. Desperate times demand desperate measures. Similarly you don’t approach Malaysian politics now using Marquess of Queensbury rules.

Sticking to party tradition- what does it mean? It means sticking to Queensbury rules but the person exhorting us to submit to them, violates every principles of a fair contest.

The ring is no longer a 24 foot ring. Indeed its size varies according to the mood of the proposer of that idea. Currently the ring he says can only accommodate him and the outgoing combatant. A champion defends his crown over and over again. If the Queensbury rules apply, why be scared huh?

And so, in Permatang Pauh, all’s fair in love and war. But the DPM already knows that doesn’t he? Meanwhile the Rules are:-

1. To be a fair stand-up boxing match in a 24-foot ring, or as near that size as practicable.
2. No wrestling or hugging allowed.
3. The rounds to be of three minutes' duration, and one minute's time between rounds.
4. If either man falls through weakness or otherwise, he must get up unassisted, 10 seconds to be allowed him to do so, the other man meanwhile to return to his corner, and when the fallen man is on his legs the round is to be resumed and continued until the three minutes have expired. If one man fails to come to the scratch in the 10 seconds allowed, it shall be in the power of the referee to give his award in favour of the other man.
5. A man hanging on the ropes in a helpless state, with his toes off the ground, shall be considered down.
6. No seconds or any other person to be allowed in the ring during the rounds.
7. Should the contest be stopped by any unavoidable interference, the referee to name the time and place as soon as possible for finishing the contest; so that the match must be won and lost, unless the backers of both men agree to draw the stakes.
8. The gloves to be fair-sized boxing gloves of the best quality and new.
9. Should a glove burst, or come off, it must be replaced to the referee's satisfaction.
10. A man on one knee is considered down and if struck is entitled to the stakes.
11. No shoes or boots with springs allowed.
12. The contest in all other respects to be governed by revised rules of the UMNO Prize Ring.