I had a chance encounter with the first blogger cum Member of Malaysian Parliament, Jeff Ooi at the HKIA last Wednesday.
Jeff was unfortunate in that his flight had to be re-routed via Singapore, thank to the blockage of Bangkok airport by the royalist PAD. ( I was actually rather surprized over the weekend reading the Economist's article that is highly critical of the Thai monarchy - won't be surprise if the Economist run into trouble in Thailand.)
It was not difficult to recognise him as I have been following his blog for some times. The meeting took place at a book shop as we were browsing through books whilst waiting for our respective boarding call.
Without adhering to the Malaysia's protocol, I went up to greet him by addressing him as Jeff and not the YB. This would have been quite unthinkable with the BN politicians.
Easy going, relaxed, friendly and highly approachable, Jeff and I spoke very candidly for a couple of minutes touching on several issues including the Penang's DAP governance and the long outstanding Pakatan Rakyat's shadow cabinet line-up. I must say I was rather surprize with his candidness.
Jeff was travelling in the region to network, sourcing ideas and capitals to be brought back to Penang. He is currently the Chief-of Staffs to Lim Guan Eng, the Chief Minister of Penang State.
No question, the DAP state government, without experience of state administration prior to GE 308, is very anxious of the financial meltdown. After all, Penang's economy is mostly industrial and export oriented.
As such, the challenge to the DAP is particularly enormous however with such fine men in Jeff, my very limited experience with DAP has reinforced my favorable impression of DAP. After all, DAP has been very consistent throughout preaching competency, accountability and transparency. I would have prefered the word meritocracy to competency. Obviously competency is politically more correct in a country that confuses special position as special right.
Just a side note, in my 9 years out of the country, I had the privilege being invited to two dinners held in honor of the visiting Malaysian Prime Ministers. Dr M, as I recall, had the stateman stature for Malaysia whether or not you agree with him. At that time, he was at the height of his political career having won a huge mandate in the general election and was beyond challenge in UMNO.
Pak Lah, on the other hand, came across not as articulate and sophisticated as Dr M. He left a strong impression of more of a people's man. Another word, more grassroot. In many ways, his undoing has done more to the country than his doing. I said this without demeaning him. Many peoples I spoke to are more hopeful for Malaysia than ever. That's his greatest legacy.
One good fortune being abroad is that as long as you are socially active among your countrymen in overseas, you get these rare opportunities to be invited for official dinner, paid for either by the corporate sector eager to please the Malaysian dignitary or the Malaysian tax payers.
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Impressions are often made in moments of candidness. I enjoyed this anecdote immensely.
I hope the DAP government in Peneng succeed in showing a better alternative for Malaysia's future. This is a time of transition in Malaysia. People are coming to a realisation that the political status quo has reached an end but is still struggling to get a sense of what the alternative, the future should look like. Peneng is one such laboratory.
One critical that the DAP government lacked is experience and administrative-infrastructure. As events in Peneng and Taiwan has shown, political timebombs, problems and issues can often be found with other skeletons in the closets. The politicking that ensued risk squandering much time, effort and goodwill of the incoming administration.
One can only hope for the best in Peneng but DAP is operating under much political resistence from the Federal Govt, fiscal limitations of the State Government, racial politics, local political power plays; all even before the financial crisis takes hold.
One wonders how successful DAP can be if they work to co-opt public-spirited individuals from across the political spectrum (Gerakan, UNMO, MCA included) and those who are unaffiliated; people from business and even capable Penengites from abroad to reclaim the state government from political appointees.
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