[Nampaknya banyak pihak yang sedang terbakar walaupun api yang menyambar DTC sudahpun padam. Ketua Puteri Umno seperti geram sehingga berkelakuan bukan-bukan. Ia mahu 'membakar' pula orang sedangkan itu bukan tugas Puteri yang sepatutnya amat lembut, bersabar dan menyayang. Tugas Puteri bukannya menendang orang - tetapi menggoda golongan muda dengan senyuman dan kemesraan. Sebagai seorang peguam Azalina tidak sepatutnya melatah dengan tuduhan melulu yang amat kurang ajar. Dia hanya mencemarkan nama Puteri yang enak itu dan membunuh diri sendiri serta Puteri bersekali.

Bukan tugas Puteri membuang orang itu dan orang ini, tetapi untuk menambah ahli. Sikapnya itu hanya akan mengundang benci pelajar universiti kerana mencampuri urusan serta menuduh bukan-bukan sebarangan. Kalaulah begini sikap Puteri bagaimanakah ia mampu untuk memimpin negara satu hari nanti? Agaknya ramai orang akan tertendang dan terbakar nanti sedangkan polis masih belum menyiasat lagi. Azalina perlu belajar lagi kerana talipinggang hitam itu masih belum mencukupi.
- Editor]

The Fire and the Aftermath

All Malaysians are appalled at the Friday blaze that engulfed the Dewan Tunku Cancelor (DTC), one of the prestigious buildings associated with the country's oldest university, University Malaya. The fire which destroyed not only a monumental building but a huge chunk of history of the university is believed to have been deliberately started.

Whilst police investigation are underway to ascertain the nature of the fire and whether it was arson connected with the university fraternity, we have witnessed a steady stream of comments flowing on the blaze. It is apparent that the tremors from the aftermath are creating more damage to UM's image (not to mention our country) than the fire itself. Smack to the centre of this controversy jumps UMNO's latest prodigy, the swashbuckling and kung-fu kicking Azalina Othman Said.

That this Puteri UMNO leader has been receiving rave criticisms over the last few weeks on her commitment as well as openness is not new. She is UMNO's hope to wean in long lost support from the female gender; a crucial section of society that is increasingly becoming prominent in its own right. That Azalina brings with her a breath of fresh air into UMNO could be significantly seen. Despite futile attempts to deny the contrary; the rift between the Wanita and Puteri wing is widening, especially since the latter is seen as the prime mover as compared to the old folks currently associated with Wanita.

That however, could not hide the fact that as a novice in politics, Azalina had taken the wrong cue to jump on the bandwagon to issue a memorandum calling for the university vice chancellor's resignation. Puteri blames Anuar Zaini for a host of faults connected with the university, and holds him responsible over the fire.

It is known dicta that UMNO is uncomfortable with Anuar's stand on certain issues connected with UM. Puteri UMNO in fact had outlined that their call for Anuar's departure was not based solely on the fire, but events preceding the blaze. For Puteri, the fire was the last straw and his removal must be high on their agenda.

Unfortunately, it is political suicide. Apart from some controversial decisions, Anuar is considered as a highly esteemed part of the university. If many could argue that he is not the right person for the job, then an equal number of others would argue that he is. Calling for his removal only exposes Azalina and the fledgling movement to open and harsh criticisms.

Even the pro-reformasi students union has come out to lambaste Azalina and the movement for interfering in what they term as an internal matter which should be left to its administrators to ascertain. Many are angry at what they claim to the adverse criticism and degrading of the institution's name and long-standing reputation. Here we can see that despite political inclinations, one still tends to love one's institutions against any outside interference to ridicule the establishment.

Lesson number one: never stir a hornet's nest. Azalina is learning this the hard way. The timing for Puteri's call is irrational as well as idiotic. They could have settled for a call for the university's administrators to ascertain the nature of the fire and together with the police take appropriate action to bring those responsible to book. As a reputable legal practitioner Azalina should have known better than to jump the gun and point the barrel at Anuar, despite all the shenanigans that he had committed thus far. Azalina must realise now that despite his shortcomings; and we know there are many, Anuar is still a part of UM and will be protected by the fraternity at all costs. If you recall that is the reaction to one Anwar Ibrahim from UIAM members who believe he is their champion.

Lesson number two: you never accuse someone without proof. That the fire was deliberately started and could be a result of arson will be shortly known. That however does not mean there is a militancy tendency among UM students. It could have been started by almost anybody, even an overworked and undervalued staff perhaps. We must remember never to bring in the hatchet man before the light is shed on who is responsible for the fire. This has always been UMNO's tendency, to blame when there is still nothing to point at. Azalina must steer clear of this habit is she is to prove to Malaysians that she is more capable than the Queen mother of Wanita and that she is not just mimicking the voice of those in power.

Lesson number three: when your ideals are put in question, people question your integrity. Now questions are popping up as to whether Azalina is a puppet in a game of higher gain. Since she has never made such a silly mistake before, many argue that she could have been coerced into the call from certain quarters within UMNO. Azalina must readily rectify this situation before Puteri UMNO is dismissed as another hidden UMNO hand to fickle with the rakyat?s mind.

Lesson number four: be patient and bide your time. This fiasco of a call could have come from the impatience within Puteri to stamp their mark as a formidable political movement in the country. Since they could be getting tired of negative rebuffs from Wanita and outsiders, Azalina might have been forced into this open conflict. Of course, the real winner will be Anuar, whatever the outcome he will be seen as a victim of circumstance. Puteri must be more patient, and wait for the perfect time before embarking on their crusade against Anuar.

Lesson number five: choose the right agenda. Rather than harp on the fire issue, Azalina and Puteri should have voiced the plight of the many students who would be unable to receive their scrolls in the esteemed place anymore. No amount of restoration work could suffice a slice of history. Puteri should condemn the stupid act and demand severe action by the authorities on those responsible. Further, Puteri should instantly immerse themselves with the students and the institution fraternity to voice their concerns over safety, security and peace of mind. Moreover, there are a lot of things to be done in terms of restoration work and allaying students' and families' fears. Puteri could have been the stalwart to represent the institution and the students towards a greater good, more vigilance, better security and safety arrangements and above all else taking care of the students' needs.

But it didn't, and now that chance is lost. With Puteri being portrayed as the evil step-sister, other factions, especially the opposition, could exploit this issue for their further gains. And Puteri has lost an invaluable chance to show its mettle.

Having said that, learn from the mistakes she will. If Azalina is the same person who we see as a tigress in dormant prior to her elevation in politics, she has to put this disappointment behind her fast and redeem Puteri's pride before more damage is done. The political roads in Malaysia all lead to 2004 currently, and Puteri must utilise this lesson to become more resilient and adaptive. It must also open up its doors to further criticism in future. UMNO started out just the same, and Puteri have time on their side. With proper vision and guidance, this sort of melancholic suicide could be avoided in future. If there is a time to call on Puteri to really show what they are made of, it is now. Show the world what girl-power is all about, if you really believe you can.

That done, all we have left is to ponder on UMNO's other failings; its youth wing to muster enough support in UM. The youth wing should have been the first to come out and do the needful for the students. After all, it has its own education bureau which could have salvaged some points for UMNO. Instead, it willowed into nothingness after the fire. Fine if they re waiting for the investigation to be completed before harping their 2 sens worth. But in the meantime the students and the institution are suffering, and UMNO Youth should have been the first to recognise this issue and deal with it. But we know that many politicians in UMNO are slow to react to this sort of chance. They only see the hatred and small time game. The bigger picture, beyond 2004, is rarely discussed as an imminent and pertinent factor towards UMNO's survival.

The aftermath seems to have shown how much UMNO needs to buck up if it still wants to run this country. Such a small issue should have been handled magnificently by the youth and Puteri movement. Yet we see signs of the old UMNO in its current handling of the issue. This must change, if only to diffuse future commentaries such as this.

Farqan Latiff

Full name: Muhammad Farqan B Abdul Latiff IC No: A 1410698
Tel: 012-6503835

Address: No. 8, Lebuh Pekaka 4, Taman Pekaka, Sungai Dua, 10400 Pulau Pinang I do not need a pseudonym.