• No pity for you, Koh Tsu Koon

No prizes for guessing what topic-of-the-day was during my breakfast together with some friends. While many of us expressed disgust over Ahmad Ismail and Penang UMNO umimaginable act of tearing Gerakan Koh Tsu Koon’s portrait on telly, we do not pity or feel sorry for Koh. Not the slightest.

While times were good for Barisan Nasional, Gerakan and many non-Malay component parties stuck with the racist coalition despite being treated like master-servant fashion. They were like dogs licking their UMNO masters feet and lapping up any breadcrumbs that fell from the table. The gravy train was merrily chugging along and the component parties didn’t mind being treated like beggars, as long as they benefit monetarily. Hardly any self-respect there. If Ahmad Ismail’s racist remark were to happen before March 08 when times were good with money flowing, component parties wouldn’t have voiced out their disapproval so strongly.

Post March 08, how times have changed. The gravy train halted dead on its track as UMNO struggles to reinvent itself but no way can they break free from racial elements so ingrained in UMNO’s political agenda. UMNO warlords such as Ahmad Ismail and his supporters are showcase of the finest UMNO pedigree. Now, component parties are more vocal than before. I suppose they regard March 08’s thumping loss as a message from the rakyat telling them to do their job. But if you ask me, March 08 message is the rakyat telling them and their UMNO masters to bugger off with their race-based politics.

Component parties who chose to align themselves with UMNO in Barisan Nasional deserves every bit of backlash dealt to them by UMNO. Padan muka! You reap what you sow, Koh Tsu Koon. And I hope soon, MCA get a taste of it too.