Thursday, January 27, 2011

SNAP - Get real or get lost.

First, SNAP says it is leaving Pakatan Rakyat. Then it says it is joining UBF, another political platform. Then it says it is definitely in Pakatan Rakyat. But then its leadership goes to KL to attend the launching of KITA. Then it announces that it is still within Pakatan Rakyat. Paul Kadang says one thing. Anthony Liman says another. Then Stanley Jugol contradicts both of them. And as for the President, Edwin Dundang? He says nothing. What is going on SNAP?

SNAP is behaving like a schizophrenic child. A schizophrenic person is a person with multiple personalities - a disorder of the brain. A schizophrenic child is even worse because it is immature and therefore not capable of making the right decision while having the mind of several children all in one brain. When a political party sends out too many conflicting messages, it is showing signs of schizophrenia. Not good for a political party. As such, why is SNAP behaving this way? There are a few possible answers.

First, it could be that SNAP is purposely trying to confuse everyone and keep us all guessing, including their own members. One on hand, this is a good strategy. But I doubt very much if SNAP is that smart. On the other hand, this strategy can backfire, hurting its own members most. And surely SNAP does not want to drive away what few members it has. So we can rule out that SNAP is purposely trying to confuse us.

Second, it could simply be a case of lack of coordination amongst the spokespersons. Left hand says one thing, and right hand says another. If this is the case, then we can forgive SNAP for making contradictory statements. But it reflects badly on SNAP. An uncoordinated political party whose leadership cannot call one another to make sure that they are saying the same thing and moving in the same direction is a political party that is directionless and therefore doomed for failure. Imagine trying to coordinate an entire campaign machinery for 28 constituencies when elections come!

Third, could SNAP's many contradicting statements be a case of an internal power struggle? Let us not forget that Paul Kadang is now on a mission to stamp and seal his influence in SNAP, and in so doing, is hogging the media limelight. Could Stanley Jugol therefore be feeling sidelined, insecure or even slightly jealousy? Anthony Liman, not to be outdone, must also be cooking up sensational statements to get some of the media attention. Power struggles happen in all political parties. But for it to be happening in a party that is telling the whole world it is re-branding itself, this scenario surely cannot be healthy.

Anyone one of these three possible scenarios could explain why SNAP is behaving in an erratic, inconsistent and inexplicable manner. Nevertheless, none of these scenarios bode well for SNAP. It only reflects the party's inability to get its act together. And a political party that cannot get its act together so close to a state election is as good as dead.

The more damaging analysis from this schizophrenia is that SNAP is simply not sincere. How can a political party that says it is with Pakatan Rakyat openly consort with KITA (a political party openly opposed to Pakatan Rakyat) and UBF (a political platform soon to be registered as a political party also openly opposed to Pakatan Rakyat)? It is like a wife telling her husband she is faithful but openly dancing with other men in their bedrooms. Has SNAP no integrity despite proudly reminding us it is one of the oldest parties in Sarawak and a signatory to the Malaysia Agreement? (In Iban longhouses, adulterous wives are fined heavily, and SNAP should be mindful of this.) But this is just the tip of the ice-berg.

SNAP says it is re-branding itself. Very good. But who is spearheading this re-branding? A team of media savvy politicos with their pulse on the beat aided by professional campaign managers, NGOs, media experts and strategists? Or a bunch of tired and semi-retired politicians? Or worse still, a one-man show? Only God knows the answers to these questions as SNAP has not been able to tell us. In fact, SNAP has not even been able to give us a new fresh take on its logo - a simple step essential in any re-branding exercise! So what's really new about the re-branded SNAP? Perhaps SNAP should review its use of the term 're-branding' and go for the more accurate term 're-cycling'. In medical terms, 'resuscitating' would best fit the situation as SNAP is desperately trying to revive a dead horse that was buried many years ago.

SNAP also says that it has over 100,000 members. If that is the case, then why was it that at its first symposium in Sibu two weeks ago only 50 odd people turned up, half of which were PKR members who were invited under false pretenses and then left after lunch? How come only a handful of mildly curious people turned up at their 'secret meeting' at Telang Usan Hotel last Sunday evening? Where are those 100,000 members? Couldn't at least 1% of the 100,000 members turn up to show support? We hope at least 1% of its 100,000 members will turn up this coming Saturday at their Kuching symposium to give SNAP's financial backers some confidence (which we hear is quickly beginning to dissipate).

Talking of financial backers, it is now an open secret that a Chinese Datuk is the man behind SNAP. This Datuk has promised SNAP a hefty sum of something between RM200,000 to RM2million, depending on which version of the rumour you want to believe. However, promises are mere promises, and as we all know in politics, promises can and often are broken. Show me the cash and maybe I will take you seriously. The question on my mind is that if SNAP really has the money, then why did Edwin Dundang recently call a certain PKR leader asking to borrow money to pay for the Sibu symposium? SNAP can't even pay for a hotel bill? Is the Chinese Datuk away on vacation? We hope SNAP has settled the hotel bill - otherwise, it would add to the many unsavoury rumours swirling around town which will only further hurt its credibility (or what's left of it).

The story gets more interesting. Apparently, the financial backers were assured by SNAP that "SNAP has the numbers," and by inference, will win enough seats to form the next government. Based on this grand promise, SNAP is now desperately trying to shore up its very thin membership by poaching from PKR, SPDP, PRS and even PBB. SNAP has to show its Chinese Datuk that it is worth investing in because "it has the numbers." SNAP has particularly trained its guns on PKR and Paul Kadang has been working very hard (to his credit) to convince, cajole, persuade, bribe and even threaten PKR's potential candidates and members to cross over. He has been traveling tirelessly from Lundu to Limbang to zealously convert whomever will listen to him. Unfortunate for him, not a single PKR potential candidate has accepted his offer. Not a single press conference has been held by SNAP to announce a cross-over candidate or the registration of new membership. So what mass exodus is SNAP trumpeting in the media about? SNAP has begun to realise that no one in their right political mind would leave PKR or SPDP or PRS or even PBB and it looks like the leadership of SNAP is now resorting to 'cooking up' the numbers just to impress its investors. But one wonders how long SNAP can sustain this charade before the inevitable becomes crystal clear?

More worrying is the ever growing numbers of seats claimed by SNAP. First it was 7. Then it crept to 10. And the latest we hear is that SNAP is claiming a whopping 28 seats out of the 29 Dayak majority constituencies in the state! (We assume SNAP is not claiming Ba' Kelalan, the seat that PKR state chief Baru Bian is eyeing.) Why is this trending by SNAP worrying? For the simple reason that SNAP is not able to back their claims with solid facts. How can it dream to contest in 28 seats when it cannot even find 28 suitable candidates? Even if, by some sheer Heaven-sent miracle, it manages to find 28 candidates, does it have the machinery to mobilise the grass-root in all 28 constituencies to back and support these candidates? Where is its structure and network? How many SNAP branches exist throughout Sarawak? What ground work has SNAP done in any of the 28 constituencies it is claiming? Has it activated its Wanita Wing, so crucial in door-to-door canvassing? Let us hope the Chinese Datuk does keep his promise and give SNAP the financial means to mount operations because it really has to start moving seriously on the ground instead of just holding symposiums, going around trying to steal members from other parties, and making contradictory statements in the press. Action speaks louder than words and SNAP's posturing is incredibly naive.

In the final analysis, SNAP needs to re-group and review the reality on the ground. In any election, you need three things in order to have a fighting chance: (i) MAN-POWER, (ii) MONEY, and (iii) TIME. SNAP will have to work very hard to find the MAN-POWER (or pay a lot of money to buy man-power); it may eventually get the MONEY (if the Chinese Datuk does not pull out at the last minute); but will it have the TIME if the Chief Minister dissolves DUN in March, which is less than sixty days away? As things stand, SNAP has none of the above. No matter how you look at it, SNAP simply will not have all three components to put up a serious challenge to the Barisan Nasional which has a formidable machinery, far too much money and all the time in the world.

SNAP should be grateful that Pakatan Rakyat has allocated it 3 seats, and work on winning these constituencies rather than making boastful claims, behaving insincerely, sabotaging its Pakatan Rakyat partners and end up losing everything.


Baca SNAP – Keamat ke penemu kita, tau ke ngetu diatu.

Read also SNAP - The stubborn Dayak whore.

27 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hope they sort out their promblem fast or it is better for SNAP to support Pakatan Rakyat.What is important the winner should be a DAYAK.

Anonymous said...

This article is good and exposes SNAP's weaknesses clearly. SNAP should stop being proud and stupid and lose everything and become nothing.

Anonymous said...

the most accurate diagnosis of SNAP ailment and it looks like there's no cure. in short, a dead meat!

Anonymous said...

The important thing is not what race but that ALL the people of Sarawak must stand together and oppose corruption. Division by race is the long standing tactic employed by CM & cronies to maintain their grip on Sarawak. Forget race and unite for freedom. A PR coalition is your only hope, don't wast this chance.

Anonymous said...

Antu Beduru Dick Head... Show Me What U goT? Fuck u mother fucker....

Antu Beduru said...

The truth is never sweet and seldom swallowed.

Raja Gerasi said...

Frogging is a profitable and lucrative business. These frogs only want to make a quick profit. They don't care about the dayaks. Just thinking of their own pockets. If they really cared about the dayaks, would they fall into the trap of a chinese towkay? Cannot be they are so blind not to see the trap in front of them? So are snap leaders stupid or greedy or both?

Anonymous said...

Yes SNAP should get real or get lost. The rakyat are not happy with the mind game SNAP is playing lately. It shows no commitment, conviction or respect at all. I wont be surprised Paul Kadang, Anthony Liman and Stanley Jugol are been influenced by some invisible hands to stage a coup detat in SNAP just to enrich themselves without having to win any seats at all.What these three believed in and stood for the past years may not be what they believe in now. Political veteran, Daniel Tajem, would be make used of and Edwin Dungang would be the victim and the Dayaks will be forever weakened and divided further.

Can the promise of RM8 million to SNAP ensure they win 28 seats in the coming election? If SNAP goes ahead on its own and take on PKR and BN in a three corners fight SNAP will be annihilated and disposed of by its own community. Will Stanley Jugol, Paul Kadang and Anthony Liman care if they can each make at least RM1 million for themselves?

Edwin Dungang , Daniel Tajem and some other respected leaders in SNAP wake up!

Tuai Rumah said...

SNAP leadership have lost their direction. They themselves have different directions and objectives. So SNAP is going into further SPLITS both internally and with its other relation-SHIPS. Apparently BN Sarawak is successful in penetrating SNAP and make its a tool to split Dayak/Iban politic fronts and SNAP is happy to stand in 48 constituencies in the coming poll in order to weaken PR struggle and effort (because BN Sarawak is real scared)

SNAP leaders, dont become SNAKE leaders, and dont bring SNAP into further collapse. Be careful of some “expired” politicians in our own race. These men’s stories you know best. They joined one party and destroyed it. They formed some other themselves and sinked them. They stay afloat in the troubled water and looking for survival. Now, they will do whatever to survive themselves first. Need not mention names, you and us know best.BN know them best too and know how to tool them and fool them.

SNAP will be sent into Sarawak Museum, to be kept in history book only. SNAP, do not sin again and against your races. SNAP supporters and party members, if you are stay awake, leave party and seek a new home. Let them continue to sing their old and faded glory, you sing “Sayur Nara”

Anonymous said...

It just makes me angry. Who do these people think that rakyats are fools and to be screwed off every election times? I thought at first that for the first time SNAP got their act right by joining PR. SNAP sould be dissolved. Dundang and Tajem be responsible and act as real dayak leaders. Join one of the components PR. SNAP has been sabotaged and there are plenty of BN moles causing havoc. Remember what Pehin said. SNAP is a gone case. She has lost her credibility.

Anonymous said...

Go to hell and get SNAP and CRACKING. It is no wonder the dayaks were never united by your filp-flopped on many fronts and issues. My foot re-branding.

hornbill slayer said...

Sounds like almost everyone here echoed one another and talk unfavourably of SNAP.You pessimist lot. This is just a new begining for the re-born SNAP. Don't be too quick to judge because you can't predict the future.

Anonymous said...

Yeah...SNAP the hyena wanting the kill of the lion(PKR). C'mon SNAP..be gentleman ok.

the undertaker said...

hormbill slayer:, i guess you must be one of them(SNAP). we are not pessimist but realistic. you think by organising forum every other weekend will help to bring change. Go to the ground/long houses and talk to the people to change. Don't be a parasite riding on Pakatan popularity. Go and organise "ceramah" in the long houses to gauge your relevance. We can't predict the future but we can see who is seriously working on the ground and who is all talk but no action. For SNAP i will give them a couple of week and they will just snap...

Anonymous said...

not to mention another idiot named Ting Ling Kiew

Anonymous said...

Fuck You Unit Media Baru PBB!

sarawak11 said...

gerasi sick

sarawak11 said...

the dayak can be the CM tomorow if they join together all the yb...and this no need money.. manpower and so on... wake up frd..

Anonymous said...

SNAP history of aimlessly meandering through the political landscape, exchanging one sugar daddy for another as the situation warrants – mirrors the political journey of their predominantly Dayak supporters. Its also a sad commentary on the gradual political marginalization of the largest group in Sarawak.

Within Sarawak politics, its a no brainer that Pakatan Rakyat will not be able to challenge PBB and SUPP through urban voters alone via DAP candidates; Pakatan will also need to get the Dayaks in the interior to be onboard the dual-political party system. Taib has boasted about his presumed ‘fixed deposit’ in the form of Dayak/Bumiputera-majority constituencies.

As the presumed Pakatan front for rural voters, PKR must find it difficult to get through to the PBB,PRS and SPDP Dayak supporters until it can shake off its tag as a foreign, Malaya-based political party. To make matters worse, Dayak voters often fail to associate their local YBs with Taib’s administration and equally complicit.

If SNAP had been able to rejuvenate themselves with new blood,so as to be unencumbered by their history – but to have done it much earlier, perhaps 2 or 3 years before the State Election, they would be in a better position than PKR to be the face and guru for the dual-party system ,among rural Dayak voters. Lets not forget that the voters who had voted for PBDS, PRS and SPDP candidates, were also once – passionate supporters of SNAP.

Its hard to suggest what would be the best way forward for SNAP. If I were to echo the views of so many other commentators who tends to snap at SNAP’s apparent audacity to revive itself, I would feel “guilty” of shooting the dual-party system in the foot. On the other hand, while the party is still yet to be fully re-branded and injected with new blood, one can’t help but be disturbed by the seeming rudderless history of the party leaders.

Finally, I think there are many Dayak masses and politicians who would rather see a united Dayak group in the new alternative to BN for the simple reason that for the most part, the group are still easily identifiable by their socio-economic indicators. Only by being united, can they present a common aspiration within the political system – which would serve the cause of democratic reforms, by averting political marginalization of the minority and the lowest class in our society. Unfortunately, no political party is fulfilling that role yet. SNAP is aspiring to be the Dayak political platform but it still has a long way to go to establish its credential/sincerity while PKR is rightly, or wrongly – not/never – aspiring to be one.

Anonymous said...

u must be saying something right for snap to be snappin angry! heheheheheee!!

Anonymous said...

lots of Anti-SNAP comments ....you must be really really afraid! SNAP was down but never out. don't forget all PNBS, SPDP & PRS members are still SNAP members , they never quit, just following the band wagon until its time to get off.

Anonymous said...

that's right,undoubtedly the tune of the comments show some 'antu'are worry of SNAP revival,otherwise,if it is a mere 'sundal'why bother yourself putting up a comment.Whether SNAP is sponsored,or who the sponsor is,has nothing to do with PKR.Come on antu,why afraid of 'sundal'?if you said Tedwin is being made a trojan horse,you are wrong dear,not many want to taklk to him yet in SNAP,SNAP also knows his record not only you.If you said SNAP is out to disturb PKR,come on my friends,why worry of a small party{you said/impliedly}.If you said those who joined SNAP lately are political frogs,then what are you,sucks?.Dont envy SNAP,keep your house in order,prove that you can win 40 seats,after these were done,then you have the right to mock others.Madah ke orang sundal tang diri empu serabut,madah ke diri antu tang lubang burit ngeleput,madah ke orang dikena BN tang diri empu ngenyadi ke gaji ngaga blog,madah ke orang enda sepenemu tang parti diri enda ngetu charut.Kasih kita kaban.

Rembia Tapang said...

Bala sida antu beduru or antu buyu sama dua kali lima....real chicken...taja ka bejako ka orang, bini anak enda te-bai ke pulai ke rumah panjai....Vernon...enda iboh aja bejako ngumbai diri iban..manah agi ngumbai diri "mak andam" Antu beduru tau tukar nama ngagai antu kerangan and antu buy ngagai "antu pelandok"

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it, you could
be a great author.I will always bookmark your blog and
may come back very soon. I want to encourage you continue your
great job, have a nice afternoon!

Here is my website; socialization.com.au

Anonymous said...

Who ever win the Chinese make Money n Kaya bodoh. They are minority kita Anak Sarawan bagadoh jadi Miniority the Chinese Majority bodoh kita orang Serawak.

Anonymous said...

Orang Cina ikut gantong mana ada BN area tapi Undi DAP. Lanchau lah lu. Anak Sarawak bangunlah Sedarlah. Adakak kamu mau betuan dengan cLida bscabang Orang China Bangdas

Gold Sure Calls said...

Nice post about "SNAP - Get real or get lost."

Thanks,

Silver HNI Calls