Rashid, who was formerly NST's associate editor, will assist NSTP group managing editor (GME) Datuk Abdul Jalil Hamid, in managing the overall news operations of the newspaper as the Deputy Group Editor
UNAMBIGUOUS: BN leaders see much benefit for the party in not getting their children into politics during their tenures
THE most captivating images of the last 24 hours have been those of smiling opponents at the nomination centres.
Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, in the most high-profile and glamorous fight of his political career, and his Gelang Patah opponent, Lim Kit Siang, retain quantities of mutual respect as they posed for the cameras.
In Pekan, photographers saw Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak snapping pictures of his Pas opponent, Fariz Musa.
For once -- at least for most watchers -- the scowling Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, given to rattling off the same set of beguiling rhetoric for 15 years now, was smiling away as he filed his papers in Permatang Pauh.
The battle of ideas does get clouded by disjointed, at times emotive, even erroneous airing of viewpoints without ever turning volatile, a point Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad made in a recent interview with the New Straits Times.
Malaysian elections have been civil, fought and won on the key questions of economy and by the coalition offering the widest, most attractive appeal and producing the best road maps for individuals to upgrade.
By extension, one could deduce the number of strategic reasons why Umno-Barisan Nasional leaders faithfully avoided inducting their children into politics during their tenures.
ONE, it is plainly practical as it would otherwise make the leaders an easy and static target;
TWO, it gives the most number of segments, families, alumnus and groupings the elevating belief that they belong to the organisation and with effort and networking, they could move up the ranks.
As a result, scions of past leaders and children of the most humble of families would get into the same car, banter freely and set off to some political events.
The talent pool grows further when the likes of Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, 51, the son of a fisherman, get to be a menteri besar. The rest of Pangkor, his hometown-island, is suitably inspired.
This reporter was, at the time of yesterday's nomination process, canvassing the thoughts of the son of Malacca's Umno Youth leader at the time of the declaration of Independence in Padang Bandar Hilir.
Datuk Naim Mohamad, who turns 59 next month, was asked to offer his views on safety, those party flags and banners lining the streets, and being deputy president of the Malaysian National Cycling Federation.
Some of these publicity materials are hoisted with bamboo sticks, which could in a flash jut out, endangering the growing legions of cyclists. In fact, there are markedly more cyclists seeking to continue leading a robust existence since the last nationwide polls.
The reach broadens when the likes of Naim chose early on not to contest in an election although his father, Datuk Mohamad Abdul Rahman, was, for 19 years, the Batu Berendam state assemblyman; and,
THREE, political parties would be reckless to ignore public opinion and sentiments. The public may not complain too loudly about the tendency of concentrating powers and posts in the hands of a few, but they shall let you know their verdict on May 5.
While Naim remains an active member of Umno and had, at a time, held the post of deputy chief of Kota Melaka Umno division, Pakatan Rakyat was not broadening its talent pool and appeal.
At least, that's the indication being transmitted when Nik Abduh Nik Aziz, 42, the Pas candidate in Pasir Mas and son of the 82-year-old Kelantan menteri besar, joined the ranks of children of Pakatan politicians contesting an election that also features their fathers.
The stranglehold of nepotism in Pakatan is stifling and the collective lack of respect for public opinion, frankly, astounding.
The children of DAP chairman Karpal Singh, Kit Siang and Anwar have been retained in the Pakatan cast this time around despite voluminous literature generated over the past five years protesting the trend.
Then, there is the question of unity, and discipline. This coincides with a time when expressive politicians complain over something and getting national airing instantly and extensively in a social media-powered election.
Umno and BN do throw incidents of tantrums, but it has been saved by a mature political culture.
The judgment call by Wanita Umno deputy chief Datuk Kamalia Ibrahim to stand as an independent for the Kuala Kangsar parliamentary seat ranks as one of the most stupendous acts of defiance by an Umno leader ever.
The word from Perak is that the support of former member of parliament Tan Sri Rafidah Aziz and the rest of the BN-Umno machinery should help BN keep the seat. Zambry said so in a text message reply.
As for Gelang Patah, there was the initial doubt over the commitment of the MCA machinery after its choice of candidates had been working the ground long before Kit Siang announced his candidacy, a move that requires a prominent BN candidate.
A source close to the BN campaign was telling the NST yesterday that the MCA machinery was fully backing Ghani.
Politics and elections are never complicated subjects. Winners are often the most decent chaps who network assiduously, backed by a vast, effective machinery, create ever growing space for others to fulfil their true potential, make the most sense in their utterances, avoid berating opponents and display composure and a sound temperament. Pay close attention to the visuals, compelling quotes about visions and various road map over the next 14 days.
Read more: A lesson on children in politics - General - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/nation/general/a-lesson-on-children-in-politics-1.260582?localLinksEnabled=false#ixzz2R3W9rT3d
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