There is no better way to describe politics in Islam than what Al-Mawardi had precisely summarised in a brief statement “hirasatud din wa siasatud dunya” – to uphold the deen (Islam as a way of life) and administer the world. Politics is not a depravity. It is truly a noble and virtuous deed if executed with taqwa (fear of Allah the Absolute One God) because the person shall administer the affairs with just, bringing man closer to good and away from evil.
Unfortunately many of those so called politicians today do not see it that way. Politicians on both sides of the political divide in Malaysia employ an array of tactics to disorient, confuse, mislead and coerce the public. They draw on various manipulation tactics from psychological operations, intelligence disinformation and propaganda campaigns for their political mileage. Such tactics would probably make the author of the text Commentariolum Petitionis (How to Win an Election) quiver if he or she is alive today.
Political Manipulation
Whenever an issue appears, I sometimes attempt to categorise the tactics our politicians are actually employing to explain the particular matter. Probably no other issue sums up all the political manipulation methods better than the “Kajang move”.
Some politician used an “appeal to authority” method by making a claim based on the reputation of a person, group, or other source such as “the Kajang people should be thankful they have a world class leader as a candidate”.
Some politician discredit an argument by shifting the blame and making unfounded or irrelevant charges against a party rather than by rationally addressing what is being argued. Such example is by saying: “should Najib fall, expect a full blown manipulation of racial and religious issues to create mistrust and frustration with the Selangor government”.
Some politicians will employ “argumentum ad misericordium” or the “appeal to pity” method which is probably the most prevalent manipulative technique there is. Essentially, it attempts to make an argument more valid by imbuing it with emotional force. No better to say it than “so let me begin by offering the sincerest apology and be honest as possible”.
There is also a “common good” technique, an abstract thing that can be appealed in order to justify the decision whose particular benefits cannot be readily demonstrated like “we’re trying our best to resolve for the sake of Malaysian”.
One of the most notorious method is “laugh it off”. This is when one meets an accusation head on and laughs it off. I’m sure many noticed this method being employed by our politicians especially in the BN camp.
As we speak, some may use “sword of Damocles” to pressure people into making decisions that may not be in their best interest. An example is by challenging Najib to contest against Anwar in Kajang.
My most favourite method “we planned Kajang by-election all along” as I’m really not sure how to categorise it since two days earlier mere mention of the ideas were easily dismissed as speculation. Now lo and behold, they actually planned it for sometime. I wonder since when? Perhaps September 16th 2008?
Who is PKR real enemy in Selangor?
With all these justification methods flying around in the media, I’m just wondering whether PKR really need a fortification to fend off political attacks and manoeuvres from Umno or actually within themselves? Do they really need as many of their top leaders around Selangor to defend Selangor because it remains the crown jewel of any political coalition in the country? Does that mean we will expect more resignation to bring in Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng and other PR political chieftains to protect against BN onslaught? Is this really the best option to optimise the leadership potential if Umno stirs up more trouble? In this day and age, especially after the “Kangkung” conundrum I’m not sure if BN has the intellectual prowess and emotional fortitude to even maintain their own states in the next coming election.
Which is why this is so puzzling.
It seems PKR is attempting to point the blame to an external party to cover the real open secret – the internal feud brewing between Tan Sri Khalid and Azmin’s camp. The strategy may work for a short term, but as they reinforce the grip of a single charismatic person within the organisation to be really dominant they will not create a democrat but instead they’ll breed a despot and a tyrannical system that they were trying to avoid in the first place.
To them, if “Kajang move” is a success it deserves a place in a history similar to Churchill that stood tall when every one else in Europe bowed to Hitler. When in fact, such crafty political manoeuvring reminds me of Hitler deceiving tactics for power instead. After Hitler imprisonment in 1923, he was outwardly reluctant to return as the leader of the Nazi Party; however, it did not take long for party followers to convince Hitler that they needed his leadership once again. Together through Hitler’s strong supporters devious political manoeuvring and his charismatic oratory skills respectively manipulated the democracy political system and charmed the people of German. They finally obtained absolute autocratic power through their devious political plot.
True Character of a Man
Let it be clear that I am not equating anyone in Malaysia to Hitler as I will not equate anyone to Churchill. Malaysians definitely do not need any Churchill and I’m very sure nobody wants an autocratic regime like Hitler. We just want the simple truth. No more disinformation. No more political manipulation. No more lies and dismissal. If this has really been planned just tell us what is this all about? Why not do it 8 months ago? Demonstrate to us that you’re different than BN that employed the same tactic in 1997 for DUN Permatang. At least people knew back then that it was really to let Abu Hasan became the Selangor MB.
The people especially the residents of Kajang like me “fortunately” as YB Azmin claimed deserves to know. If this is really about replacing the incumbent MB Tan Sri Khalid just say so. If this is really about appointing a new and credible MB to improve the stellar performance of Selangor State government than say so. If this is to make way to settle the feud between Tan Sri Khalid and YB Azmin by appointing an independent MB within PKR then say so. At least expose the real truth so the Kajang constituents will know why and what are they voting for based on actual information.
Make it clear, the “Kajang move” will decide Anwar becomes MB or not. If he’s not going to be the MB, just say it out loud clearly and don’t back track making a different statement after winning the election. Don’t twist the facts. We’ve had enough of September 16th or post PRU13 political retirement promises. We just need the plain truth and nothing but the truth. That is the true character of a man. That is the true yardstick of an honest leadership.
Finally, we just want a deserving leader that adheres to the principles that Al-Mawardi mentioned “hirasatud din wa siasatud dunya”. Is this kind of honesty and principle-centred leadership so hard to ask?
Abu Ameen
ISMA Activist
