The Rumble that KJ created

The star yesterday( 17^th of July) carried a piece written by its star political analyst, Jocelyn Tan on KJ. It was entitled the KJ question rumbles in UMNO. The rumble it seems, originated from an interview some people had with KJ. The spin from that interview had it, that KJ will not defend his KP post the next time around. Miss Tan was quick to suggest that KJ may be better off going for the 25 MKT post in UMNO.

The news that KJ isn't going to defend his post sent shivers of jubilation of orgasmic proportions among some bloggers too. The usual suspects were not ashamed at displaying their glee. I can't fathom the rational and justification of calling one of our own as a 'si kitol' who in Malay History is regarded as the classic turncoat.

UMNO people must learn respect and discipline. If someone has been elected by the system to a position, that must be respected. After that question of selection has been settled, he must be accorded space to perform his task. He must be given application. KJ therefore applies himself as a leader of Pergerakan Pemuda. He fills the space that he defines.

The spin and the coded message in J.Tan's piece? That's exactly what KJ's detractors will be hoping for. Goad KJ into believing its more worthwhile to go for an MKT post. Not a good move. The future belongs to our young people. They need leadership. The more important issue is, they need a leadership that is in sync with the young. KJ is replaceable IFF there is an alternative young or younger talent to provide leadership and direction to Pemuda UMNO.

The truth is, there is none. We have a collection of people with shared ideals with KJ. Not all, but probably half of the Pergerakan Pemuda. The other half can offer their program the next time around and if they win, they apply themselves to the tasks they defined. Be it Malay hegemonism, Malay this and that or even UMNO Puteraism. All thing first to the Puteras and select.

Which direction is Pemuda going? Obviously it has to serve as the sounding board for the country's leadership. Expand, develop and defend the ideas of the UMNO leadership. The UMNO leadership led by its president has one vision- to create a 1Malaysia which will become a high income country by 2020. Whether its achievable is another question. Personal beliefs and apprehension are no excuse not to give support to the idea.

There should be no rumblings in the first place. The leadership of Pemuda is throwing their weight behind the idea of the UMNO president and PM. Seen in this context, KJ is doing the right thing when picking up the cudgels to battle the ideas that people like Ibrahim Ali represents. Recently, Nazri Aziz spoke of the same thing. Meaning what KJ is doing is gaining credence. That in a future as envisioned by the UMNO president and PM, ideas such as that promoted by Ibrahim Ali's Perkasa cannot be countenanced. Those UMNO people joining Perkasa are the ones who needed disciplining.

The ideas insisted by Perkasa which is old school NEP cannot be defended any longer. We have to see the big picture now. The big picture demands a thinking, that sees the Malay people in relation to the world. Because now, the Malays are not affected only by events that occur only here in Malaysia, but they are affected and in turn are giving effect to what happens to the world at large.

So what's happening out there? What's happening out there, is people move forward when they respond to challenges in the appropriate manner. People move forward by being competitive, by offering their talent and hard work, by leveraging on their capabilities. That is what I hope what the PM means when he says affirmative policies stay but based on factual premises.

If Malays operate within Malaysia, where on account of demographics and on account of political superiority, they may be able to throw their weight around. The only way you move forward in that world, is overwhelming those who oppose or disagree with you by forceful means. That's not democratic. That's Stalinist method we are promoting. Pummel your opponents by your mystic-infused krises. Hello brother- people are using Tavor assault rifles, people are using the CornerShot rifles.

But you are playing in that small pool which one day will get overcrowded. So one day, when you have no other race to push around, you end up pushing one another. What kind of future do you have then? You have anarchy.

So, the big picture is the future we are after. How we make ourselves relevant to what is happening around us in this world. Not just in Malaysia.

What about this unsolicited advice that KJ is better off if going for an MKT post? Its suicidal.

For KJ to disown his KP post and go for one of the 25 posts. He won't win. Simply because, the MKT post will be a different ball game. this time around, all the positions in UMNO will be decided by delegates at each divisional division. That's the new way of selecting leaders laid down by the new UMNO constitution. That being the case, each position will be decided by ordinary delegates made up mainly of non Pemuda people. Usually, the number of pemuda delegates from branches to the Bahagians are smaller in number than senior members. Most of these people will not know KJ and he, of course will not be able to go round the almost 200 UMNO divisions in the country to touch base.

The best thing he can do and this is actually what UMNO needs is for KJ to stay the course. He must remain as KP. The most visible face and the most notable name in Pergerakan Pemuda is KJ. I have said this many times. He won the post fair and square, every one of the contestant campaigned using money. We are not going to be hypocritical to imagine for one moment, Khir Toyo and Mukhriz campaigned without using money. Blame the system then. It's our system that nourishes money politics. If the same system has allowed someone whom we find disagreeable to win, too bad. Tails I win, heads you lose.

What was the message that KJ sent out when he said he may not defend his post? What he is actually saying is , if here is a young candidate as capable as him, or can do a better job, he is willing to step aside. Where is that young gun that is as visible and as potentially capable as KJ? Sadly there is none. So, for people to rush in and say that KJ is quitting, are just playing out their wet dreams to have someone whom they fancy to replace KJ. We can't see anyone of consequential material to replace KJ for quite some time.

That's also the reality the UMNO president has to contend with. His ideas need championing. Right now, whether KJ is doing this to earn a place and position in the government isn't that important. What's more important if having your ideas championed. Elevate those who do.