IF attention was what they were going for, then the Undi Rosak campaign certainly attained its objective. With both camps having issued statements about it, civil society leaders commenting on it and forums and interviews conducted debating it, the buzz has certainly been created.

It’s time for Pakatan Harapan to answer the questions raised by the campaign. Yes, PH, because as much Undi Rosak declare that their angst is targeted at both sides, (and does not seem to include PAS), the ones who will be hit hardest is likely to be you.

In the spirit of democratic discourse, opposers to this movement should not be responding to Undi Rosak with vitriolic broadsides (and even threats).

Question them back – on the unfair parallels used, the difference in judging standards, and the over cautionary phobia against a party who has yet to rule.

Reply as best they can to their calls for a First 100 days plan, their strategy for a Royal Pardon, and their plans in the event that strategy fails.

If their beef is only with the choice of Prime Minister, why is the campaign not centred on the two candidates that they consider “equally bad”? Is there a deeper logic to their dissent?

If you remove the notes of exasperation in their arguments, and in yours, you may realise that some of their concerns are valid, and should be answered, if not for them, then for the fence sitters and 3.8 million mostly young, eligible but unregistered voters.

Fence sitters who are probably wondering if their vote makes a difference at all.

Remind them exactly what is at stake, and counter arguments that can be countered. Give Pakatan Harapan’s voters back the missing level of confidence and comfort that allowed Undi Rosak to gain traction in the first place.

If you cannot convince them, respect their democratic right to express themselves in whatever manner they see fit, as disagreeable as you find it.

At the same time, it would be good to remember that Undi Rosak isn’t contesting against PH; Barisan Nasional and Gagasan are.

As such, taking on these two, especially with the elections closing in, should be a priority.

While candidate for prime ministers are important, they are still bound by party and coalition consensus on important issues, like the direction of the economy, social programmes, or reform agendas.

In addition to that, long outstanding issues such as Hudud, minority rights and freedom of religion should be as, if not more, urgently discussed as protest votes and who is to be prime minister.

Just as MCA and MIC are being held accountable for Umno’s political stances, so should Ikatan and Parti Cinta Malaysia, both parties that claim moderation, be equally accountable for PAS’.

PAS and Umno, and by extension of this, Gagasan and BN, should also clarify if they are cooperating in the next elections, and if so, the extent of their cooperation, just as Pakatan Harapan should.

The discussion on who should lead the government and how much you can trust them should not divert the question on who should form the government and if they can be trusted to. 

It is important for PH to constructively engage their critics, but without forgetting who their real enemies are. – January 30, 2018.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.