In the light of yesterday’s events, I couldn’t help recalling all the slogans we have had over the years whenever a new prime minister took office.
Under Mahathir, it was “Bersih, cekap, amanah” (Clean, efficient, trustworthy), “Malaysia Boleh!” (Malaysia Can!) and “Keranamu Malaysia” (Because of you, Malaysia).
Under Abdullah Badawi, it was “Work with me, not for me” and “Cemerlang, gemilang, terbilang” (Excellence, glory, distinction).
And now under Najib, it is “1Malaysia, people first, performance now”.
These slogans or tag-lines would make any advertising agency or public relations firm proud.
But what we have seen over the years is the the actual performance or delivery failing to match the rhetoric and sloganeering. This crediblity gap has invariably led to the masses adapting the slogans to reflect the reality around them, for instance, “”Democracy first, elections now.”
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“Lie, cheat, steal”
Revised and more accurate slogans for recent BN administrations:
During Mahathir’s time it was “Malaysia BOLEH” which really meant “Bayar Boleh. Tiada Bayar, Tiada Boleh.”
During Pak Lah’s administration, it was “Cemerlang, Gemilang, Terbilang” which really meant “Temberang”.
And now during Najib’s administration, it’s 1Malaysia which really means: “UMNO Contracts First. Performance Later”.
Most of the slogans are stupid. Example: 1) 1Malaysia!!!…do you mean there are more than 1 Malaysia in this world? 2) Malaysia Boleh!!!….Boleh what? it can also be …Boleh Kalah, Boleh Rompak and so on 3) Kerana Mu Malaysia!!!….How can it be Malaysia without the people? 4) Terima Kasih Malaysia!!!…..Why terima kasih Malaysia when it should be terima kasih rakyat Malaysia…… Stupid BN
I used to have a friend who likes to boast and talks big. But never a doer.
So when he tells some thing, the comment from another friend was,”If his words can be believed, ‘… pun boleh makan’.
In this respect, the same comment I would apply it to our PMs’ slogans, including Najib.
Dear Progressive Friends Allow me to post one more message: South Africa’s FREEDOM CHARTER We the people of South Africa, declare for all our country and the world to know: That South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white, and that no government can justly claim authority unless it is based on the will of the people; That our people have been robbed of their birthright to land, liberty and peace by a form of government founded on injustice and inequality; That our country will never be prosperous or free until all our people live in… Read more »
Anybody remember this slogan? Gaya, Mutu, Keunggulan.
Gaya – look at how UMNO, MCA and MIC fellas behave
Mutu – all top branded and quality product and services
Keunggulan – who’s having all the money?
Just look at how certain parties’ politicians and their ma chai and one would agree their motto/slogan is Gaya, Mutu, Keunggulan.
LOL anil, the slogan should read, 1BN,always none for RAKYAT. or RAKYAT who?
Well anil these slogans they come up with are laughing stock, none were actually carried out. Even during Mahathir’s time also Bersih,Cekap Amanah…LOL the biggest JOKE. It was never Bersih never cekap except in their own pockets and Never amanah.
Rest my case.
sick of all these slogan and their big fake smiling face, with sound & look great for themselves, but actual fact, it just not doing any good deed at all for all.
Don’t just say it, and at the same time provoking racial tension and discrimination. See for yourselves…everyone know the answer… We want change… and for sure the wind of change will be much stronger come next election…
History of past 51 years taught us a lesson, i would not want to see it repeat its cycle again… i want good change…!!!
Hi BornMalaysian 10:21 am
Take a look at this website (on South Africa’s
Truth and Reconciliation Commission):
http://www.pbs.org/pov/tvraceinitiative/facingthetruth/index.html#project
Everytime new leader come out with new slogan, brand or whatever catchy word but why?
They only want publicity and make sure people remember them in history a good leader. Sadly this is untrue.
Slogan without good practice is useless. Stop it please.
Phua, you bring up some good points. My question is, does it really help to keep harping on the past, such as creating a commission to study May 13? It’s like when you break up with a girlfriend, are you really going to sit down with her to analyse where it went wrong? I think that the emotions are too strong for you to do that. In my thinking, it’s best to just learn the lessons of past mistakes, make a clean break with the past and move forward with wisdom, focused on a new and better objective. Yes, you’re… Read more »
Hi BornMalaysian 9:13 am 1. Your proposal for a Unity Day is a good one. But perhaps only after a Truth and Reconciliation Commission on May 13 has been convened and has done its job?? (South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission did a great job in healing the scars of apartheid). Do we need a regime change to have such a Commission set up? 2. I would like to qualify your last statement: Interaction only on the basis of EQUALITY. If the interaction is between “superior” and “inferior” (like the interactions between white colonial overlords and well educated but second… Read more »
True, its becoming meaningless coz the (results) outcome reflects a total opposite. Its what they called ‘Window Advertisement”. Most companies do that anyway.
Whats more important is that Government demonstrate through deeds instead of just Talk or leaving it to some mystic, some unknown or untouchable powers to solved it.
This is “dark times-man made”, and if these madness continues- the end results will be predictable and then do the same again expecting different result.
“Talk is cheap, and so they just make it real expensive and painful too.” Isn’t it how its done in bolehland? beg to be corrected.
Anil, how about the politicians, community leaders and opinion shapers like yourself propose that May 13 becomes a public holiday in Malaysia, called Unity Day, a special day that celebrates all things Malaysian. A day of celebration of Malaysian culture, art, innovations, talks by Malaysian experts, concerts, movies, exhibitions, food fairs, etc. A day for Malaysians to reaffirm its commitment to 1Malaysia. A day for reflection on the lessons of history so that we can move forward together as one. A day for all Malaysians to mingle, interact and celebrate our unique cultural diversity. It could even become a tourist… Read more »