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From tsunami to epidemics PDF Print
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Wednesday, 27 May 2009 09:03

By Wong Chin Huat (The Nut Graph)

METAPHORS are more than sound bites. For example, the sea-changing 2008 general election is best represented by the metaphor "tsunami", first coined by seasoned opposition leader and DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang.

Why is tsunami an apt metaphor for 8 March 2008? First, a tsunami sweeps away existing structures and leaves a new landscape behind. Second, it strikes without much warning. For the most part, most people ignore its signs and are caught off guard by a tsunami's impact. Hence, the book edited by Kee Thuan Chye about the 8 March elections titled The Day Malaysia Woke Up.

8 March was indeed such an unexpected killer for the Barisan Nasional (BN). But what threat does the BN face today that is even greater than a political tsunami?


(Source: shepherd.edu)

More deadly

More deadly than a sudden political tsunami is infectious political dissent. The virus of political dissent is what is now fueling a post-tsunami epidemic and causing distress to the BN administration.

If 8 March was indeed a tsunami, it was because the early signs of opposition then — like the three rallies organised respectively by the Bar Council, Bersih and Hindraf — were not enough to convince most Malaysians that the BN would lose its two-thirds majority in Parliament, and its hold on power in five states.

Photo of a Hindraf rally in KL
Hindraf rally

Most Malaysians remained silent until the last moments of the tsunami. In fact, the first few days of the campaign period were relatively calm and slow.

But silence is one thing evaporating fast post-8 March. The silent majority have since refused to take things lying down. Spurred by the hope of change because of 8 March, they have turned vocal and refused to waste another five years in wait.

Hence, an outspoken population now makes heroes of those who are unjustly persecuted or vilified by the state. For example, Internal Security Act (ISA) detainees Tan Hoon Cheng, Teresa Kok, Raja Petra Kamarudin and the Hindraf five have emerged triumphant. From the ruins of the Perak coup, embattled Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin and embattled Speaker V Sivakumar rise as national heroes. Out of the cyber gutter, Elizabeth Wong is soaring high like a phoenix.

If the BN fears by-elections, it should realise that by-election results since 8 March are only the symptoms and not the cause of this epidemic of dissent.

Read more at: http://www.thenutgraph.com/from-tsunami-to-epidemics

Comments (9)Add Comment
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written by Tongkat Pak Ali, May 27, 2009 09:05:58
Brother Pete,
Allow me to repost what I have written earlier about the above topics.........I hope whoever have the intention of following or copying the U*** School of Thought........Can rethink and revise back what they have in mind when they lead the people..........Youngsters Are Not Stupid........Jangan Pisang Berbuah Dua Kali.......Fikir-fikirlah...............
“The biggest problem with B******N******* is that they presumed and believed that Malaysian ‘Mudah Lupa ‘syndrome still exist in this cyber internet generations. That is the biggest reason “T*M” got smallest majority and Kedah fell to Opposition.....And the B******N******* recovered back just because that Malaysian believe A*B is Clean, Honest and Integrity.....But ....Alas he failed in the end.....just because U*** is so greedy backstabbing and power crazy.....And now after “PRU 12”.....B******N********.....lose again with their biggest upset by losing few states.....So do you expect this coming “PRU 13” they will recaptured back the states they are losing???.....I can say “In Their Dream.....Keep on dreaming”......With the Leaders keep on hurting people in whatever manner they can.....Will Malaysian ‘Mudah lupa’.....Again???.....In Their Dream....Unless.....New blood of leaders who is respected and trusted by the Malaysian....So let them dreams until their time is up..........”
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written by fknajib, May 27, 2009 09:46:24
Yes... an epidemic for BN, lets send them all to HELL!
http://fakenajib.********.com
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written by NSTPravda, May 27, 2009 10:03:28
“From tsunami to epidemics” are apt metaphors
Viral dissent is deadly for our errant masters
Using live ammunition to kill tiny spores
Is like using cement to patch up facial pores
But then what else can desperate UMNO do?
All they have is brute force on me and you
Using intimidations they hope they get their way
But we must ensure that their deeds are not semua-nya OK.


smilies/smiley.gif smilies/wink.gif smilies/grin.gif smilies/tongue.gif smilies/tongue.gif smilies/cool.gif
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written by BGs, May 27, 2009 10:33:51
Yeah, temperatures are rising & BeEnd would be sent to Hell!
At this stage, anything non BeEnd would be perceived as a good enough cure for the fever we are facing!
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written by Hello Keithy, May 27, 2009 10:41:48
The tsunami impact will be 10 times greater in the coming 13th GE. Thanks to BN's arrogance in Perak. The whole country will come down on BN like tons of concrete. We will bury them this time.
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written by Littlebird, May 27, 2009 11:00:02
We got 9 rulers, Suhakam, I think about 5 ex Chief Judges, 2 ex PM the federal constitution but yet the will of rakyat is not respected in Perak. In any other democratic government when a question of confidence in leadership is question ed the first thing they do it is to have a election to to detrmine what the rakyat wants but here in Perak everything is so weird. The only person sticking out sorely in this Perak fiasco is the Datuk Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahim the High court Judge. A judge who was parachuted from Miri on the eve of the hearing.


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written by wongpk, May 27, 2009 11:00:26
Heh... Speaking of GE... I wonder if Najib going to postpone it a few years later? By telling he is not finishing his 1Malaysia? Then, we all have no way to put him on charge...
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written by JinJangJoe, May 27, 2009 11:29:45
Almost every level minded BN members, see,hear,feel the NAJIS has no future, so does UMNO,MCA,MIC and Gerakkan. They know they are sinking slowly but surely. Yet, most of them dare NOT blow the whistle. They know the folly of PDRM, our justice is down in the drain.

For how long BN can fool Rakyaat? They are sick of UMNO. Look at PENANTI. The UMNO leaders are the most dissappointed, since BN no need to pump cash. NO cash, no umno.

PDRM, keep arresting the innocent. You are doing the biggest favor to ANWAR IBRAHIM. Free sympathy, free votes, free publicity for PKR.

NAJIS, "Hidup melayu" jangan biar dia mati.
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written by joeawk, May 27, 2009 12:04:38
UMNO will continue to fumble and even will die from all the bruises which UMNO has inflicted upon itself. The AG, IGP and CJ would have contributed much to the demise of UMNO.

It is just like a patient trusting the doctors who prescribe DRUGs to the patient and the drugs eventually kill the patient. Carry on IGP, AG and CJ. Good work, carry on.
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