The aftermath

Votes casted, many recounts, final results. Surprise, shock, expected, pleased are just some of the feedback i've received and overheard. Perlis had to get in on the action too, being the smallest state can be a disadvantage in terms of securing front page headlines but make no mistake, front page it was. And Shahidan? Que sera sera. Nuff said.

I waited anxiously for the announcement of the new cabinet and frankly was quite surprised at some of the drop-outs. Overall though, i was quite pleased. The rebuilding has begun. The foundation has been laid as the new government representatives take office today.

But life at the office continues....election or otherwise. The work-place eco-system is an interesting beast and in many ways is similar to the government. Office politics happens in all organizations. Just to what extend. Ever since Machiavelli set out the principles of princehood, the public has been hoodwinked into believing that with the right advice on swimming with the sharks, managing in one minute, searching for excellence, looking out to the big blue ocean, practicing 7 or 8 habits, accompanied by the application of reason and logic, success would be theirs. If you've worked in the business world for more than ten minutes, you know it's an immense exercise in the absurd. What we need to do is accept the fact that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue. What we need to do is tip the scale in favour of the pigeon !

As the dust settles

I am reminded of the United Nation saga, formed soon after the second world war based on the balance of power at the time: USA, USSR, UK, France and China became permanent members of the UN with veto powers. However the balance of power dramatically shifted during the Cold War era: Japan and Germany emerged as ‘economic superpowers’; UK and France became more ‘ordinary powers’; new power areas appeared, like Asia-Pacific. The Cold War competition curtailed the need for structural change, yet with the end of the Cold War, the new ‘actors’ demanded more rights in the UN system. The 5-big have resisted the reform calls in the 1990s. However the Iraq War clearly showed that the current UN System cannot provide dialogue and co-operation between the big economic, military and political great powers. In another word, the UN cannot properly play a balancing role. The US will resist and bargain will possibly last more. However a UN reform is a matter of time. Japan, Germany and some more states will receive the seats they seek.

Sound familiar? ok well maybe not exactly but it makes for a dramatic entry :) Back to the UN. The veto power needs to be removed. Why is there a veto power granted to each of the 5 permanent members? Who died and made them the umpires on this playing field we so fondly call mother earth? At one point in human history, the veto power was needed due to the instability of man. The world was at war. Some powers that be may be somewhat more responsible than others. That was then. This is now. When USA was going to invade Afghanistan, everyone agreed? disagreed? They all had the veto power. Would it have done any good? The US went ahead anyway...yes that is definitely showing all other countries how to do it....lead by example.

But i digress. Back to my last point. Lead by example. This is about the most difficult thing on this planet to accomplish. I'll continue tomorrow but leave you with this thought. Never take the voice of the people for granted and never ever underestimate them.

Election Is Fast Approaching

How time flies when one is having fun. Today is March 3 and the Malaysian general election is fast approaching. I must admit that while i view elections very seriously and i will be there on voting day, bright and early, to cast my vote, i would pay money to listen to the local pre-election debate; similar to the verbal jousting of Obama-Clinton, but on a higher more intellectual level: coffee-shop consultants. No where can one get the latest, most accurate, rumours at these stripped down starbucks, where the coffee is guaranteed to stain your teeth, and everybody knows your name. You don't pay 10 bucks to a yuppie behind the counter for a latte but a buck eighty to the "boss" who hollers your order for all to hear. But i digress. The news that comes from these square table discussions are so varied and so hot that Al Jazeera would pay money to get these hot-off-the-press news. Though they may not hold water if digested to get to the source, nevertheless these tales are so enticing that one cannot help but get drawn and lending an ear.

If you have never been involved, do so. Stop by your local mamak stall or in my younger days, lovingly referred to as "maple" and order drink. Coffee with Karan could only wish for such hot topics. And have a roti tissue while you are there....