My comments to KJ John's article on
"How to vote in the next election"
I am the State Assemblyman that called K J John when I read his earlier column stating his non support of the BN candidates, especially in his constituency.
I fully agree with him that the personal character of a candidate is also as important as the party the candidate represent.
Hence, I shall use his 6 guidelines in voting a candidate as my "Bible" in serving my constituency. In fact, most of the 6 guidelines mentioned by him have been my guiding principles all the time.
However, in "real politics" and especially in our Malaysian style of politics, I have to abide to directives from high up's. We also follow the British style of politics of party whip system. In USA, an elected representative can vote against a resolution introduced by his party and also give differing views in public and also during debate. In the British style this is not allowed.
In Malaysia, the problem of transparency and accountability fare lower at the local authrity where there is no election. The Presidents/Mayors are appointed by the Chief Ministers / Menteri Besars and the councillors are by the political parties. Hence these people owe nothing to the rate payers whom they are suppose to cater for. This is also similar in Kelantan where PAS is the government of the day.
I have also agreed to KJ John and his team to audit my performance as a wakil rakyat based on their system. I cannot claim to be perfect and do not expect a 100% score. The important thing is that I dare to subject myself to his team audit. I take this challenge so as to improve myself. Afterall, one (like me) may not know my faults and a team such as this will definitely be good for me.
As I write this comment, I remember a statement made by an Irish political philosopher, Edmund Burke, "all that's necessary for the forces of evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
Lee Hwa Beng
ADUN Subang Jaya
1st October 2007