I have often branded DAP Youth as wimpy as compared to UMNO Youth.
Now that everyone and every party is caught in a possible election frenzy; DAP Youth has decided to bare some fangs and jumped on the bandwagon and called for Parliament to be dissolved.
However, their main reason is to punish BN rather than what most think the probable reason is the weakening of PH and disillusionment and weakening of Anwar Ibrahim as Prime Minister.
DAP Youth has likened the Johor BN intention going it alone in the state election as “kacang lupakan kulit” (forgetting those who helped them).
The proverb is spot on describing the reality and treachery. But it’s too late and Akmal Saleh and UMNO Youth and likely the whole UMNO are having a good sniggle over it and the Johor state election is set to go.
Since, DAP Youth are into proverbs to prove their point and the contemptibility of their supposedly political partner, it could be worthwhile to learn more proverbs and avoid further disappointment and betrayal from other political parties.
DAP although defines itself as a multiracial party, it has not always acted this way and other political parties usually see and deem them as a Chinese based party. I don’t think data is available on how many DAP members are Chinese educated but it can be safely assumed the majority are.
Based on this assumption, most will be familiar or are well read on Chinese proverbs especially from Confucius. And it may be prudent and advisable for them to bone up on the proverbs below from Confucius or attributed to him or other philosophers to avoid or at least reduce shooting themselves in the foot with political partners or even foes in the future.
1) Act with kindness but do not expect gratitude.
Don’t need too much explanation on this. DAP have bent over backwards many times to accommodate or pacify political allies and have been renegaded by them. Gratitude especially in politics is as rare as an honest politician.
2) Study the past if you would define the future
DAP has been there before with PAS. Yet they went headlong at it again but with UMNO just as eagerly and accommodating.
3) Have no friends not equal to yourself
In politics, this is very difficult and near impossible but be discerning and wise in your choice of friends, acquaintances, allies and partners.
4) When everyone hates a person, you should investigate thoroughly, and when everyone loves a person, you should also investigate thoroughly.
Akmal Saleh is highly unlikely a poster boy of the non-Malays and maybe even some liberal Malays. Knowing well someone you don’t like or love can help forestall future issues and maybe nib problems in the bud.
5) Signs and symbols rule the world, not words nor laws
The agitators and provocateurs of racial and religious use signs and symbols like upside down flags and words on socks to inflame the public. Words and law did not stop them. Be vigilant and reduce or bring down these signs and symbols.
6) Men do not stumble over mountains, but over molehills
Do not let seemingly small issues go undebated or unchallenged. You are not an older person who must not stress over small issues or slights to live longer and happier. You are in politics and stress is part of the territory if your party wishes to live longer and maybe happier.
7) The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.
Reinforces what is said above in item (6)
8) It is easy to hate and it is difficult to love. This is how the whole scheme of things works. All good things are difficult to achieve, and bad things are very easy to get.
This is a no-brainer.
9) The man who chases two rabbits, catches neither.
In the case of Marina Ibrahim, DAP lost out big time. Here was a young dedicated Malay politician out to serve her constituents without any hankering of glory, power and position. And yet she was driven out because DAP wanted her to switch over to the Tiram seat or a position in a statutory body if she lost.
This young lady studies and practice philosophy from Sun Tzu and is no wonder she is independent, wise, and brave with a humane nature.
10) Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fail.
You have not failed yet nor entirely. Rise up, learn, analyze and internalize these proverbs or others which can guide and lead you to be wise, humane and brave as one of the golden rules of Confucius is “The wise never doubt. The humane never worry. The brave never fear.”
11) If your plan is for one year, plant rice. If your plan is for ten years, plant trees. If your plan is for one hundred years, educate children.
If you plan to be around for longer, it is time to educate the younger members to fully embrace and function as a multi-racial party rather than just a farcical façade. The Chineseness of the people at the top and the advocacy of most things Chinese is glaring obvious to pigeon hole the party as a Chinese based party.
12)They must often change who would remain constant in happiness and wisdom.
Change is the only constant.
This article is written because “The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their proper name.”.
Koo Wee Hon (kooweehon@gmail.com) is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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