On Thursday, the Information Ministry declared it wanted to go

on a mission to explain the 1Malaysia concept to the people. It

would be better to explain the concept first to the mass media
groups in the country which are always seen as undiminishingly
pro-BN and pro-government.

To 'explain' the concept to the people but not to the mainstream

mass media would be like a mother crab trying to tell her baby
crabs to walk straight.

Many of the mainstream mass media, whether the print or electronic

media in the country are unabashedly pro-BN. The most glaring of
them are the Utusan group and the TV stations like TV3.

There is no point in trying to force the 1Malaysia concept down

the throats of the people if the people are able to realise that
there is selective targeting involved. The mission would not
succeed. Just think of the fate of previous similar missions.

The PM has taken the courage to state his stand that the country
under his guidance would not continue past practices that allowed
the country to be divided into ethnic silos.

His message should be drummed home to the media moguls ruling the
throne in groups like Utusan and TV3 which are famous for their
narrow and racially-retarded views and outlook. These groups are
known for their vicious attacks on minority politicians and for
prominently disseminating news items that were likely to be able
to arouse emotions against certain ethnic groups in the country.

The government must ensure that the 1Malaysia concept also takes
into account the people's desire for a clean, efficient and fair
administration. It is not just everybody working together for
somebody.

The 1Malaysia concept must also include the need for all our
politicians to stop seeing and analysing things from the race
angle. Minimise the need to state this or that along racial
compositions or highlighting community-based preferences.

The TV stations should avoid broadcasting those politicians or

personalities who like to stress on the 'r' word, and avoid
overplaying sensitive issues or giving undue attention to
controversial subjects. A case in point is the not-so-recent
episode involving the proposed integrated pig farming project
in Selangor. The item was given prominent and very unfair
play in the electronic media over a period of many days.
The whole episode was done in a very bad and vicious manner.

The people are not anti-BN as proved in previous gen elections

before the one in March 2008. What the people want from the BN
is efficiency, trust and responsibility. All these were missing
when Abdullah was the PM. Crime, polarisation, inflation, and
corruption was running rampant under him. Worse, he thought he
was capable of doing no wrong and allowed the extremist elements
to hold centre stage. Biting remarks were unleashed against
minority leaders yet the government failed when it came to the
crucial situations. The cost of living went up and so did the
cost of sending children to school. Meanwhile the agencies that
brought in foreign labour by the planeloads and shiploads were
doing a roaring trade and the local people were getting elbowed
aside in the job market. The country was as divisive as ever.

If the people have suddenly lost their appetite to support the

BN right now, please don't fault them. It was the fault of the
post-Mahathir BN administration.

The 1Malaysia concept by Najib is a very noble one but its

implementation and how well it's going to be carried out is
still to be seen. The Information Ministry has to be extra
careful from now on. Get the PM's advice if there are grey
areas or uncertainties. Don't do any slip-ups !!!