PM Najib and Oppa Gangnam Penang Style.

I grew up in Penang. I grew up amongst the Chinese, mainly Hokkiens. Thanks to the experience, I am familiar with them and conversant in their dialect.

Those who grew up amongst them will be familiar with their logic and reasoning during mediation. There is a favourite defence mechanism.  It goes like this;

“Wa bo sa lah.” [I’m not in the wrong]

“Lu bo ka wa kong.” [You didn’t tell me (from the very beginning]

“Lu bo sia lok lai ma.” [There’s no written agreement]

The above sequence is an automatic response typically whenever they are in a debate or dispute. It’s almost like a standard operating procedure. And because of this line of thinking, it is not entirely surprising that when the Prime Minister asked, “Is Penang ready for BN?” during the Chinese New Year gig; there are those among them who boldly answered ‘No’ without feeling any guilt.

Let me explain.

Unlike the Malays generally, the Penang Chinese do not easily feel ‘terhutang budi’ when someone extend a kind act as did the BN. When they extended a gift, like bringing Psy to Penang, many Penang Chinese generally do not see it as an obligation to be nice in return. Their reaction is simple, “I did not ask you to do it. If you do it… that is your problem lah.” Basically, Wa bo sa lah. Lu bo ka wa kong. Lu bo sia lok lai ma.

If Penang Gerakan or MCA hope they can wrestle the votes of Penang Chinese in favour of BN simply because they brought Psy to Penang, I will be genuinely surprised. It will be asking far too much. Penangites will go and have fun at the concert with Psy entertaining them, eat the free food, but they are still likely to vote for the DAP. There was no earlier ‘agreement’ to require voting for BN in return for the kind act of bringing Psy and the party; and therefore, they do not feel that they are in the wrong. Wa bo sa lah. Lu bo ka wa kong. Lu bo sia lok lai ma.

This is especially true where DAP supporters are concern. As their leader, CM Lim Guan Eng openly told them it is okay to be a freeloader and go have free fun, eat the free food, and dress in symbolic opposition colours.

But does that mean BN had a public relations disaster as per pro-opposition pundits are trying to sell? Not at all!  Unfortunately today in Malaysia, extreme partisanship has made critics from both sides exaggerate situations way far off reality with the hope to paint the other side as bad as possible and colour their side as best as they could. 

Through the CNY show BN may have achieved the following.

1. The Chinese New Year gathering  has reminded the Penang Chinese that BN/Gerakan/MCA are still around, can still move things in a big way and Penang is not the monopoly of the DAP. It was an occasion for BN to engage the rakyat directly. The event was a good PR opportunity for a re-launch of sorts.

2. Furthermore, the Penang rakyat including hard core DAP supporters get to meet, see, and listen to the Prime Minister in person. With his earnest effort to woo and mingle with the grassroots it helps to bolster the image of a leader who mati-mati wants to be a Prime Minister for all Malaysians. By stressing that he wants to be the Prime Minister for all, including the Chinese who currently are seen solidly with the opposition sits well among the fence sitters of all races. His willingness to risk going into ‘an enemy territory’ and be humbled and snubbed portrays him as a leader who is soft in the outside but very strong in the inside.

3. Chances are those who answered either ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the Prime Minister at the gathering, would have answered the same regardless. But this event is advantageous to the BN for it is luring the fence-sitters. And they form the bulk of the electoral roll nationwide. What happens in Penang does not stay only in Penang.  Both BN and PR should worry about what these non-partisan undecided voters think of BN and PM Najib after the event instead of focussing on hard core supporters from each side who are already decided. In this coming election, the non-partisans are the kingmakers.

4. As suggested in item 3, what happens in Penang does not stay in Penang. I have strong convictions that scores of Malays will not take kindly that a ‘Malay’ leader like PM Najib has been snubbed openly by a mainly Chinese crowd. Many Malays will see this as rude, unbecoming, and uncultured.  In the Malay way of being and ideals, when one comes bearing ‘gifts’ – in this case, an international star  performer and good food – and you decide to take it, at the least one must be courteous and considerate. Acting any other way can be construed as ‘tak berterima kasih’ and ill-mannered. Some will say, if they can do it to Najib a Prime Minister, imagine what will they do to us, we the rakyat jelata.

At most, from a Malay standpoint, one should just remain silent instead of answering ‘No’. By not saying ‘yes’ it will mean ‘no’, but in a nicer way. Malays are sensitive to such things.  In the late 90s, many Malays while not being Anwar’s supporters and may even agree with Dr Mahathir’s point of view did not take kindly with the manner the former DPM  was treated.  Such behaviour by the Penangites, coupled with other incidents like CM Lim Guan Eng using the Allah issue in his Christmas message for political purpose (which probably baffled even people in PAS his own comrades in PR) and the recent rude ‘gesturing’ to Her Majesty The Queen by someone many Malays see as a DAP supporter will make them rasa was-was with the DAP leadership. This will have a direct impact on the average Malays be they from UMNO, PAS, PKR or party less.

In short, Malaysian politics is far more complicated and sophisticated and by far more dynamic than one might aspect. For example, when CM Lim Guan Eng uses the Allah issue for political purpose perhaps to gain the support of the Christians in Sabah and Sarawak, he dented his own team mates in PAS and PKR within the Peninsular. Similarly, when Ibrahim Ali and right wing Malay groups like Perkasa reacted by suggesting the burning of the Bahasa Malaysia Bible, the act will move various parties in differing ways.

In short, what one group does have repercussion in many forms across the nation. Playing to one group, will affect another – it is no easy task to win the leadership of Malaysia. Leaders must find a delicate balance.

To lead this nation, and to be Prime Minister of Malaysia, each candidate no matter if you are in a Malay or Chinese stronghold; in Penang or Kelantan or Sabah or Sarawak you must be a leader for all. It is not enough to have the Malays supporting you. You also need the support of the Chinese, the Indians, and the communities of Sabah and Sarawak. You will need the support of people in urban areas and rural areas. You will need support from the old, the middle aged, and the young.

In doing so, a Malay leader cannot be too Malay, the Chinese cannot be too Chinese, the Indians cannot be too Indian, the Sabahans cannot be too Sabahan, the Sarawakians cannot be too Sarawakian. They all have to be Malaysian first.

Najib’s Oppa Gangnam in Penang has shown that he is serious about wanting to be a Prime Minister for all. For that, he has my respect. I hope he and those like him be they from BN, PR or civil society will continue to work towards being a Malaysian leader no matter what. Even if you receive millions of  ‘NOs!”

Anas Zubedy

Kuala Lumpur