Looking back at history, Batu was traditionally reined by Gerakan for 22 years since 1986. March 2008 saw Gerakan losing its 22 years of power in Batu when its candidate, Gerakan Youth National Chairman, Lim Si Pin lost to Tian Chua of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR). Despite the defeat, Gerakan - Barisan Nasional service centre was maintained till date with Lim Si Pin servicing the people of Batu. Naturally the people of Batu were under the impression that the service centre was a reflection of BN and Lim Si Pin is the BN Chairman for Batu division.
Quite a safe assumption don't you think? Even we were under the impression that Lim Si Pin is the BN Chairman for that very division simply because the math tells us so. But it's not quite so.
A Little Birdie Speaks
Contrary to popular belief, or in this case, contrary to popular assumption, Lim Si Pin is not and has never been the BN Chairman for the division of Batu. In fact Batu did not have a BN Chairman for the past two years since March 2008. A very reliable source told us that it is quite common to have a Chairman for each division however in Batu it was in a limbo since no one was given a mandate.
"Lim Si Pin was never the BN Chairman for Batu. In fact there was none," said the source.
"What Lim Si Pin did was to soldier on from his predecessors by keeping the service centre active".
So does this mean he is the unofficial BN Chairman for Batu?
Not quite so especially since there has been an about turn in Batu. On the 26 of February, there was a BN Supreme Council Meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyddin Yassin. The purpose of the meeting was fuzzy at first however it was crystal clear later on. The meeting came to a conclusion that Datuk Yahya Mat Ghani, who is the UMNO Batu division Chairman, will now be the BN Chairman for that very division. Although nothing has been put in paper but it is official by virtue of oral speech. Naturally this caused quite a disappointment amongst the members of Gerakan, especially since now it is likely that UMNO-BN will be contesting for any impending by-election in the form of Yahya.
Concerns & Disappointments Amongst Grassroots Leaders
To further add salt to Gerakan's wound, it was also brought to our attention that Yahya will be setting up his very own UMNO - BN service centre. With the current Gerakan - BN service centre all alive and kicking - the concern here is the confusion caused to the people / voters of Batu. What more since Gerakan- BN service centre has been in operation for 22 years and even so after the March 2008 defeat.
Further with the setting up of Yahya's UMNO - BN service centre, resources will be controlled by him as he is the BN Chairman for that division. For those who are unaware, a BN / PKR Chairman of any division has the sole liberty to control resources fort that very area. In the past this was controlled by Gerakan both before and after March 2008. But with Yahya as the BN Chairman, rest assured all resources will be squeezed out from Gerakan.
The question now is; what happens to Gerakan - BN Service Centre?
"It's quite obvious don't you think. Now that Yahya is in control, he has the power in controlling the resources for that area. In a way, Gerakan is being kicked out off Batu. Not only are ‘they' squeezing out the resources and 22 years of tradition from Gerakan but ‘they' are on a whole, squeezing out power from Gerakan," said the source.
"We are flabbergasted to the very least and disappointed. It is nothing but clear dictatorship by UMNO. To put a Chairman from their very own party with no utter disregard to Gerakan just speaks volumes of their (UMNO) hegemony ways".
The source further added that BN was supposed to be a coalition which takes into account of all its component parties but what transpired during the BN Supreme Council meeting illustrates other wise. There were no reasons given by Muhyddin or anyone from the Supreme Council as to why Yahya was elected as the BN Chairman for Batu but many suspect that this could be due to the impending by-election. And since the heat of the ‘so-called' by-election gets hotter and hotter by the day, UMNO will go all out to fight for that seat.
"It's either Kota Siputeh by-elections or this (Batu) hence UMNO will want to test waters."
If they gain victory then it will be the usual blowing of the trumpet whereby UMNO will claim to be the ‘hero'. However the source also added that since Batu has generally been a safe seat for BN, it does not take a genius to see the motive behind UMNO's tactics in placing Yahya as the Chairman. The source also added that Yahya is the blue-eyed boy of Muhyiddin hence the play of cronyism.
No One Defended Gerakan?
Apparently no - according to our source that is. But to give due credit to the Gerakan leadership, arguments were put forward as to the decision of Yahya being the BN Chairman for Batu. However when Muhyiddin put his foot down, nothing could be done. No more haggling and no more compromise. His word is ‘law' so Yahya it is.
"None of us are denying that the Gerakan leadership did not defend our position in Batu but it was just not enough. Leadership lacked aggression hence we succumb. Gerakan-BN lost Batu".
And speaking of the Gerakan leadership, can this also be the cause of the humiliating defeat in Penang?
"To a larger extend yes. The failure in Penang was due to the leadership in the state".
Signs were clear prior to the March 2008 General Elections as the leadership did not conjure enough courage to go against UMNO. The people of Penang, then, were the witness hence the swing of votes to Pakatan Rakyat.
‘What can you expect? As a back-door minister, you are at the mercy of the Prime Minister. All you can do is just ‘yes sir, yes sir'. To be the ‘good boy' who obeys and submit".
So do we now see a change in leadership?
"Let me ask you this. Can you name me just one person who can lead Gerakan? You can't now can you. That is the dilemma Gerakan is facing now. No capable leaders can be identified within the party hence the change of leadership bears a huge question mark."
Hail Hitler!
"There is only one thing that can be said from all of these. What UMNO did just made the relationship between them and Gerakan worse. To discredit and disrespect Gerakan with no proper substantiation".
A trait of dictatorship is what it seems. Without fail news on the ‘dictatorship' style of leadership by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is extensively reported. The ‘departures' of members from PKR citing dissatisfaction within the party. People from the ‘other' faction predicting dooms day for PKR but we are sure none of what transpired during the BN Supreme Council meeting will be talked about. Perhaps there will be ‘ joyous' reporting on Yahya as the BN Chairman for Batu and his speech on how he will make lives better for the people of Batu but we can bet our roll of quarters that none will be touched on how Gerakan was unfairly robbed off their ‘belongings'. None will be said on the power of UMNO controlled BN in making a decision without weighing the sentiments of their component parties (as per claimed by our source).
But there is one thing for sure. If UMNO-BN thinks that they can claim victory (should the by-election take place and should UMNO win) they can think again. As mentioned before, the people of today are well informed. Analytical if you must and no victory can mean an absolute victory.
In arguments for UMNO - BN if there is a need to put out someone as the Chairman for Batu division, then perhaps a less ‘abrupt' approach can be taken. The justification of Yahya as the BN Chairman and what was the decision based on? In other words base the decision on the level of service rendered to the people of Batu. Who provided the most and the best? Was it Gerakan - BN or was it UMNO - BN? If UMNO - BN prevails where people servicing is concerned than yes, the justification is there. But if it was Gerakan - BN then the decision of having Yahya as the BN Chairman for Batu is ‘questionable'.
As for Gerakan, unfortunately there is nothing much that can be done except to bow down to the decision. Yes you may argue but what good will it do now; especially there is no evidence of a switch in decision. The only solution one can think of is for Gerakan to leave the BN coalition. If discrediting and disrespect is what the concern is then walk away.
Lim Si Pin has said to a local Chinese media that it is high-time that Gerakan break free from BN. If this is going to be the case, then perhaps it will be wise if Gerakan hold a referendum to decide on its future - which appears to be ‘marginalised'
On the probability of a by-election in Batu (that is if Tian Chua loses his court case), definite candidates will be Yahya (since he is the BN Chairman for Batu) and someone from PKR. Our guesses are either Dato' Mohd Zaid Ibrahim or Dr. Tan Kee Kwong. Will Yahya be able to stand against these two? Hmmm being the blue-eyed boy of Muhyiddin, maybe he would.
With this entire political tussle, our heart goes out to the people of Batu. Hopefully they are not the sacrificial lamb in this power tug-of-war.
Finally for Gerakan; the ball is in your court.
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