Of Losing.. errr winning is everything

Who else but Dr Mahathir will vouch that losing is not an acceptable option. And he is not the only one. There are many who preferred to forget their humiliating experience of losing

Who would have thought that Mahathir, with all his political machineries and backing was almost shown the door in 1987. Worse, at that time a TV station runs a small by-line proclaiming that Tg Razaleigh won the hotly contested UMNO Presidential election, and the by-line was unceremoniously removed minutes later and well, the rest is history!

As the professor in Three Idiots said " who remembers the second person who landed on the moon", the same is true in Malaysian politics. Who wants to remember the vanquished, especially if they happens to be from the ruling party? In short, BN has short memory for losers. Period!

1999 was not a good year for Najib. Whist officially he was declared the winner for the parliamentary seat, there were unsupported rumours claiming that Najib had actually lost the seat. What saved him in his less than 250 votes is the "sudden" appearance of postal voters. Think about that, would Najib be PM today if he had lost in 1999?

Better still, ask Najib if he still remembers the 1999 event. Surely, he will conveniently choose to forget and he will side-step the issue that he actually lost the seat in 1999. That said, who is actually in the know of what really happen in Pekan in 1999?

2008 is not a good year for KJ either. His political opponent claimed that there was a recount for the parliamentary seat. Obviously, no recount was held for Rembau. Nontheless, the recount issue has made its rounds and possibly slightly tarnished KJ's image and may also cost him a chance to be a cabinet member in Najib's administration.

What would have happen if KJ, UMNO youth leader, BN youth chief lost Rembau? It will be double blow to Abdullah's legacy. 4 years on, KJ is still looking for a chance to serve in Najib's cabinet. Will that happens? GE 13 may decide KJ's fate!

2008 has also been unkind to one ex-Imam in the North. In his over-excitement to please his political bosses, the ex-Imam let his emotions to gain the upper hand.

4 years on, nobody remembers who the ex-Imam was. Once he was at the top of the pedestal potrayed as UMNO's religious figurehead, now his name is barely mention anywhere!

You see, losing is not an acceptable option. When you lost, you will be in political oblivion, as one Samy will tell you. Winning, on the other hand, by hook or by crook is the path to glory. Nobody will remember even if the "win" is wrestled from the rightful owner. Just ask Mahathir and Tg Razaleigh and they will gladly tell their side of the story pertaining to the 1987 Presidential election.

The same script will re-invent itself during GE 13. For BN, winning is everything regardless of whether it is a "clean" win or not. Even id there are thousands of "instant voters", it will not matter to BN as long as they win and retain control of Putrajaya! And why should BN worry when the "instant voters" paper trail do not lead to PWTC doors.

Better, BN has already has its own versions to describe their wins and how they will tackle "sour grape" losers. The only problem - what will happen if the script did not goes BN's way? What will happen if BN lost the day and in the process lost the election?

Till then...G'nite M'sia...wherever u are...