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Koh’s sacrifice, BN’s future

The Malaysian Insider
November 17, 2011

Fact is, Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon’s fate was sealed the day Gerakan lost all its state seats and the government in Penang on March 8, 2008. It took him more than three years to realise that.

The Gerakan president’s announcement today that he will not contest in the next general election has been a foregone conclusion in Barisan Nasional (BN) circles for some time now. Both the Umno-owned Utusan Malaysia and MCA-owned The Star have been harping on the party’s poor leadership and performance over the past few months that there is nothing shocking about Koh’s decision.

So what use is it to hold on to his political posts? Why remain Penang BN chief and state Gerakan boss?

In explaining his “ultimate sacrifice” today, Koh said he meant that he would continue devoting his time and energy to campaign for his party’s candidates in the coming polls. “When I talk about sacrifice, I am talking about time and energy for the party,” he said.

“I want to campaign for our candidates to win, instead of focusing on winning a seat just for myself.”

Koh also dismissed a suggestion that his decision today meant he was giving up without fight, pointedly reminding reporters of his years of sacrifice in Gerakan.

“Eh, I have fought seven elections you know… most of them were very tough fights. Go back to history and read about 1982, 1986, 1990, 1995… what happened. I am perhaps the only one who has fought Lim Kit Siang twice,” he said.

All well and good. But the reality is his decision will not have any impact on Gerakan’s or BN’s fortunes in the next polls. The ruling federal coalition needs to show it has transformed into a pact that serves the people rather than itself. Hanging on Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s popularity will not help it regain the seats lost in Penang or elsewhere.

BN allowed Koh more than three years to see the light, that he shouldn’t contest any more in any election. There are a few other politicians in BN who need to face that reality too. BN needs to renew itself, find younger and more capable candidates or lose to a more nimble rival in Pakatan Rakyat (PR).

It can’t be sentimental or rest on its laurels like Koh has done in declaring he has fought twice against Kit Siang. That was well and good in the past. Fact is, he lost in 2008. And not likely to win in the next elections.

The question now is, who does Gerakan or BN have to face the likes of Lim Guan Eng, Nurul Izzah Anwar or Khalid Samad? The only bright spark is the likes of Khairy Jamaluddin who recently tripped over cow poo.

This is Najib’s dilemma. Koh is out. A few more need to get out. And if he can get the young ones to stop tripping, perhaps BN will have a set of capable leaders for the next round. Perhaps.

20 Replies to “Koh’s sacrifice, BN’s future”

  2. ///In explaining his “ultimate sacrifice” today, Koh said he meant that he would continue devoting his time and energy to campaign for his party’s candidates in the coming polls. “When I talk about sacrifice, I am talking about time and energy for the party,” he said.///

    In the past, Koh did not make any sacrifice; he used his time to serve his interests. Now, Koh wants to repay his party through sacrificing the time.

  3. This is a technique used by chicken Koh. If he contest head on to LGE, sure no face if lose, double slap on his own face. He would rather let other to try. He still can be the back door minister and proud talking his own sacrifice. At least got face la. hahaha

  4. Koh Tsu Koon is a disgrace to all Malaysian Chinese and Gerakan party voted out.
    Accepting a back door ministerial position….he showed his true color ….with no shame at all.
    He was Mahathir’s puppet for 18 years…and we all know what Penang became under him as CM.
    Whether he steps down or stand for election…he is history.
    Malaysian Chinese simply cannot stand the sight of him.

  7. A doctor kills.
    This blardy Gerakan doctor ..does not even know how to cure simple cold….making it worst…which pleases his killer doctor boss alot.
    Then come the real hero by the name of Lim Guan Eng…Penang is finally free.

  8. He has no choice but to resign and will say all sorts on nonsensical reasons how much he he sacrifices for the people….crying……exactly like Mahathir.
    Then the transformation will complete.
    He will have a fish head..with a slimy mouth.

  11. Ah Koon knows he will lose no matter where he contest, so why bother but beyond the cynicism reserved for Ah Koon, present day leaders in Gerakan should also consider their future – which is certainly not with UMNO – since the fallout with the voting public in Penang.

    I’m not from Penang but clearly Gerakan must realise their complete whitewash in the last GE was down to Gerakan facilitating the thieves in UMNO, views from the man in the street.

    Beyond UMNO’s racist tendencies and less than condescending rhetoric, corruption remains the bane that public needs to eradicate, and hence Gerakan’s paid the price for working with UMNO.

  14. We prefer LKS son or any of his in-law. Better than those umno goons and a$$ kisser like cintamyfoot.

    cintamyfoot is increasing his/her bandwidth here. Must have just received funds from his paymaster to talk kok. Election day must be near.

  16. It was amazing that this guy still want to stay on as party chief. It is more amazing his party members seem have no problem with him to stay on. We have to understand that if you are the leader of a political party and yet you are not confident of facing the voters how can he be a leader. Where can he hide in face. Just wonder and may be this kind of thing can only happened in Malaysia.

    The man behind the army must command respect only then he can lead. It will be good for Gerakan if Koh just retired from politic and let some one to lead. If he wish to stay the only choice is to stand as a candidate in the next GE and it must be in Penang. He has no other alternative.

    It will be his sacrific carfice

  17. Can’t believe there are still people calling KTK’s demise a ‘sacrifice’. Its really KTK’s dimissal – he has been spared the humiliation of being the next election’s Pinata which he should have gotten.

    Gerakan is on its death-bed. If Ilham survey is even half true, UMNO/BN has destroyed Gerakan for certainty. If Gerakan is to have ANY HOPE of revival, DAP must rule Penang for decades to come. Its that fundamental.

  19. We only say good things of people when they are dead and gone in their obituaries or epitaphs. “Well, this man was a bad politician, clean and sincere. His hands were unclean only because he shook hands with dirty fellows. He himself is beyond reproach. I am sure Lim Big and Lim Small will agree with me.

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