Understanding the Political Game: Lessons from Outside the Cockpit

In the midst of a bustling party, imagine a leader attempting to pilot an aircraft from outside the cockpit. Picture the chaos as the ship careens towards disaster, the wind ripping the pilot away, and all deposits placed in jeopardy. Perhaps it crashes atop the green roof of a distant mosque.

Meanwhile, the spectators in the stadium roar with excitement, unaware that the players cannot hear, nor do they know of their existence. Instead, they find solace in their self-imposed coaching.

This analogy reflects a broader reality: of imperialism, colonisation, and the global scramble for wealth at the expense of others. Those subjected to colonisation often inhabit a cocoon of ignorance and comfort, oblivious to the plunder of their rights and resources. They are told that what remains is a “special privilege,” conveniently enshrined in constitutions. But it takes the discerning eye of a grandchild to sniff out the rot beneath the surface, hidden behind the facade of gifts and niceties.

Consider the significance of the word “Capital.” Why is the central administrative city referred to as the “Capital”? Why is the driving force behind a company’s assets also termed “Capital”? And yet, in politics, the term “Capital” is conspicuously absent. Is there not an essential asset propelling political entities forward? There is, but when its name changes, confusion and misunderstanding abound.

What befalls a nation when its capital is seized? It becomes subjugated, conquered. To conquer the Romans, one targets Rome, the Capital. Bhadad fell, and Iraq was conquered.

In the realm of business, the loss of capital leads to bankruptcy, the end of the road. In politics, the demise of a party spells defeat, the demise of a people. A political party is an asset, the capital of the populace. What happens when a nation destroys its own assets, akin to burning the capital in business?

In both business and politics, understanding the game is paramount. When one fails to comprehend the rules and strategies of the enemy, they find themselves battling against perceptions, a futile endeavor.

But do the Malays truly understand the intricacies of the political game? The answer seems to lie in centuries of colonial subjugation, which has left them ensconced under the coconut shell of ignorance.

It’s time to break free from the daze, to grasp the realities of political maneuvering, and to reclaim agency over our destiny. Only then can we navigate the turbulent skies of politics with confidence, from within the cockpit, not outside, buffeted by the winds of history.