THE CHALLENGES FOR BN
BN was not created based on ideology, a major difference between this component party and other political organization. BN was created for the people's struggle by the people. It's rather difficult accepting a party as big as BN was created without an ideology. BN leaders felt that BN will continue to exist as long as it does not divert from the fact that its struggling for the people.
A firm grasp on the 'Justice for All' will ensure the continuity of BN's struggle especially in spearheading Malaysia towards facing various challenges. This is because justice is a key element for any democratic nation, as important as democracy itself. Therefore the practices of democracy in Malaysia include the people's right to choose and the existence of opposition parties in its political scenario. The people is not prevented from forming opposition parties, although there are some of them who tend to exploit racial issues and religions to win votes.
This is a mammoth obstacle for BN because racial issue and religion, which has become an opposition's source, is a time bomb that could explode at any time and destroy all the achievements of the nation till today. Every bold efforts of the BN leaders today is mainly to protect the fruits of labor of the independence struggle. Thus, the moderate concept has become the core of all party and government policies and practices of all party component leaders.
This concept must be defended to shield every attempt to jeopardize the harmony and political stability achieved from the tolerant of religions, races and ethnic groups. Besides the concept of moderation, BN has always been pragmatic in facing all kinds of threat, be it from the inside or outside.
Among the biggest challenges Malaysia is facing are globalization era and information technology, which could pose various new threats and is even worse. These threats are similar to neo-colonization of the super-powers.
Threats in the form of political, economical and social will be applied so that the freedom and success we have achieved will be destroyed. Finally, we will have to bow to the pressures from outside. Colonial economy has become a global issue which is pressing us today.
After going through a political struggle for quite a long period, party components of BN today, are mainly lead by the younger generation. New members are also getting younger. The question is, do these young members and leaders of the next generation really understood and fully accepted the history and the base of BN's struggle. Let's assume all of these are not well grasp, then the objective of power sharing to create justice for all and to build a Malaysian race that unites, will not be easily realized.
Do they really know the meaning of hardship? Luxury should not cloud us with the meaning of hardship. Our struggle will continue to go through easy and difficult times because we will continue to be exposed attempts and obstacles, be it from inside or outside. Globalization era and information technology are new to us. Are we prepared to face these hurdles and challenges ?
Our former Deputy Prime Minister and one of the founder of BN, the late Tun Dr. Ismail once said :-
'....when independence reached the adult level, problems will surface because the new generation had not experienced the hardship of the independence struggle. The meaning of independence would only be understood by the ones who had gone through it. They are the ones who love freedom, peace and change.'
Doesn't the BN have its own challenges and obstacles ? As a ruling party, there will always be obstacles. The opposition had tried numerous times to weaken the BN. Although the opposition had created quite a strong merger of component parties to present an alternative to the people, their efforts failed because BN's strength and experience is sufficient to ward away the force from outside.
The late Tun Dr. Ismail said that he was not worried of the challenges BN was facing from the outside. The one that he was most afraid of, was problems within BN itself. The strength of BN could not guarantee the stability within the party. The late Tun Abdul Razak reiterated that BN's strength could also be its weakness.
This will happen if the members of BN are too proud with the party's strength without doing anything to sustain or to improve its strength. If BN members do not believe strongly to the basics of the party, do not adhere to the party rules and keep arguing among themselves, the party will be weakened and exposed to threats.
Serious efforts by BN leaders since Independence have created a united Malaysia and a community with a Malaysian identity. Although Malaysia has been free for more than 40 years, the Malaysian identity is still not that convincing and effective for us to be proud of. Even though there is a difference in religion, race, ethnic group and origins, the Malaysian under BN's leadership must act as ONE, cutting across the borders of religion, race, ethnic group and origin.
Based on what was said by the PM, the journey to achieve the true meaning, ambition and philosophy of the BN's struggle is far from complete and not that simple. However, with the spirit of "Malaysia Boleh" BN could achieve this ambition. We are certain that " Barisan Nasional Boleh" and " Rakyat Malaysia Amat Boleh", together with the top leadership to reach every aspiration and the philosophical struggle.
'Unity in Diversity' is the base to unite the whole Malaysian people to face all the challenges ahead. BN accepts diversity as a strength and not a weakness. Malaysia's advantage is its ability to assess diversity as its main strength in a nation of diverse community. BN is a bond that enables Malaysians to think, to have ambition and to act as ONE.
This pure concept of cooperation is the concept that propels Malaysia to a level where it is today and it will continue to lead the nation to a new dimension. The spirit of cooperation can be looked upon as 'one aim, one heart' which can only be found in Malaysia. Thus, concentrating on this concept is vital in continuing BN's struggle, to ensure it will remain strong, effective and realistic to face various challenges. The new BN agenda has to take into account the elements that needs to be continued and to ensure peace in the nation. In addition, the continuation of these policies will attract the younger generation to join the party. They are the nation's most important asset.
