In August 1990, when George Bush Sr launched the Gulf War I, he proudly announced that it marked the beginning of the New World Order. It was not to be, though. The nations of the World, although
heeded the call to War under the UN Flag, by and large ignored the call. Nations went on their own ways after the War.
Then came the second wave. It was the infamous September 11 event that proved to be strong enough the bring about the New World Order. It was the doctrine 'Either you are with me or you are against me' of
George Bush Jr that ushered in the New World Order. So the nations of the World post-Sept 11 could be categorised into two camps. Whether this will last depends on how the 'War on Terror' and the
'Iraq War' finally end.
The moral of the story: It takes a declaration of intention to get a 'great' idea moving, but it takes a long time (a decade or so) and a big explosion for it to actually materialise.
Now apply that to the Reformasi movement of DS Anwar Ibrahim (DSAI).
In September 1998, when DSAI was fired from the Deputy Premiership post, he announced the beginning of 'Reformasi'. Things in our nation had become so rotten that lest extensive reforms took place,
the nation would be on the path to becoming a failed state, so according to DSAI.
Of course, a mere declaration, street demonstrations and an incarceration failed to make Reformasi materialise. Then, almost exactly 10 years afterward, the Election Tsunami of 2008 finally seems to usher in Reformasi.
Now the word 'reform' no longer is vocabulary of the Opposition camp; even BN is talking about reforms - it needs to reform in order to survive. [Indeed, BN is a dire need for reforms in order to stay relevant. The longer it entertains the state of denial syndrome, the closer it will be to the point of demise. To be sure, it is not easy
for UMNO to change, given so many strong, opposing, vested interests in the party.]
The morning after Election 12, OY wrote on the need to liberalise the media. Yes, media needs to reform lest it becomes irrelevant. In an era where mass media will do anything to seize sizeable followings -
audience and readers - our media had become so out of touch with its own. That the mainstream media had become so devoid of credibility could be seen when it even failed the party it was supposed to serve,
hence the words of a senior BN minister 'I don't know who to believe anymore.'
Post-March 8, the media has shown some directions towards reform. When previously the mention of the name 'DSAI' would have been a taboo, except when done in the most derogatory manner, now the same
media do not hesitate to quote, and even to print colour photos of, the great nemesis.
The new governments in the five states will show the way to reform. The call of open tender now reverberates throughout the nation, notleast in BN component parties.
While the 'Muslim-friendly' Koh Tsu Koon never thought of attending a Muslim function barring the Hari Raya, the 'NEP-basher' Lim Guan Eng, seems so spontaneously, appeared in a Maulidur Rasul celebration.
Just watch out - there will more to come.
After more than 50 years at the throne, BN (and its precursor, the Alliance) had become so resistant to change. It sits entrenched in an old paradigm: BN is the only one capable to govern, never mind the 'little' shortcomings; there is only one choice - that is BN; take it and thou shall prosper; leave it at your own peril.
BN had become so synonymous with government; even the Judiciary, Police, Military, and the various 'royal' commissions had become, tools of, and subservient to the grand old party. But now it has to change, and do it fast [to quote DSAI, 'time is on the Opposition's side and not on BN's'], lest it may share the fate of the great
dinasour.
Election 2008 managed to somewhat loosen BN's grip on power and things will never be the same again!
(Ihsan: Ali Abd Rahman)
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