Communicating with the Government

The recent street protests over the unprecedented fuel increases show that the communication channels between the rak’yat and the government are flawed or just one-sided; with the government controlling most of the one-sided dialogue.

It is also a question of good timing. Just look at the announcement on the NAP and new car prices. All the goodwill that was available has been lost as the fuel increase has left a bad taste in the taxpayers’ mouths.

We seem to be doing things on an ad hoc basis. Fuel increase may have been inevitable but perhaps the increase could have been delayed to coincide with the NAP announcement if only to show that the authorities are capable of doing more than one thing at a time.

If the MTUC is serious about getting through to the government, this is what it needs to do. No need for grandstand protests as the authorities are ever eager to check out all the expensive equipment they have.

As the national trade union umbrella, it should try to speak to MPs when they are at home and not try to demonstrate at Parliament. Try to get ten or twenty members to see the MP at home and if you target 50 to 100 MPs who are in marginal seats, I am sure they will be more than willing to pass on your ideas to the government. With the use of SMS it should be possible to contact members who are willing to visit their MPs at short notice.

All this should be done in a peaceful manner and the MTUC should prove they can behave in a responsible manner.

Don’t wait “till the cows come home” for the authorities to change their attitude. The MTUC can play a more decisive role in the nation’s progress.

photo:http://www.sawdoctors.com/images/gallery/til%20the%20cows%20come%20home.jpg