You cannot negotiate with people who says what’s mine in mine and what’s yours is negotiable.
– John F Kennedy, 35th US President
I believe I have made my stand very clear. Come the 15th general election, due in July next year, the most important aim is to ensure that those traitors from Pakatan Harapan involved in the Sheraton putsch are all voted out.
In my previous column here entitled “I have not forgotten the Sheraton traitors”, I have given the reasons why these treacherous parasites and political scumbags, including those from Sarawak, must be taught a lesson they will never forget.
Voters must realise that they are the bosses, not the politicians. Voters do not need politicians; politicians need voters. They will come begging for votes during elections.
When politicians betrayed the voters by turning into frogs and selling their souls to the devil, then it’s time for voters to strike back.
If these traitors harbour no shame (most politicians really know no shame) and seek re-election, then voters should throw these treacherous leeches into the dumpster and bury them at the ballot box. That is where these traitors rightfully belong!
A few days ago, a friend sent me a news clip of two opposition parties in Sarawak, purportedly attempting to negotiate on seat allocation for GE15. There was also a photo showing four leaders, one party represented by two officials each.
For the purpose of this article, I will avoid mentioning names of the personalities and parties involved. However, I believe that those keeping abreast of political development in Sarawak would be aware of my references.
As I’ve written previously, any effort to forge a unity alliance within any political group should be welcomed and applauded. That must, first and foremost, be understood.
However, in politics, one must be wary of who you are negotiating with and the intentions and purposes of those partaking in the negotiation.
At this stage of the game, and for the coming GE15, I must stress again that I have zero tolerance for traitors. My stand is clear – I will not negotiate with traitors.
Unfortunately, the key leaders of one of the opposition parties taking part in the so-called negotiation, falls in my category of “traitors”.
That being the case, I don’t think I would want to waste time negotiating with such politicians who would not hesitate to stab their colleagues and allies in the back if they do not get their way (read: if their selfish interests are not served).
This particular party comprises several elected representatives of the katak species – with two Members of Parliament having double U-turned in their shameful posturing and could possibly do the “triple jump” in the foreseeable future.
Leaders from other parties sitting down at the same table with such treacherous characters will only be tainted and soiled by their dirt and filth. No, I wouldn’t even want to go near these buggers, let alone sit down at the table with them for a photo call.
To negotiate with known traitors is like going to sleep with your enemy or striking a deal with the devil. Be warned – do so at your own peril.
Seriously, if the purpose of such negotiations among the Sarawak opposition is to deny the GPS of a clean sweep or an easier passage for GE15, I think many voters will choose to vote for the devil they already know rather than one they don’t.
In ‘Negotiation Strategies’, psychologist Judith White has advised that there are two types of counterparties one should never negotiate with.
Writing in the Harvard Business Review, she named them as (1) A counterparty who alternates between conciliation and provocation and (2) A counterparty who persists in seeing people in terms of absolute good and evil.
In (1), this behaviour suggests that he will never be satisfied, nor finished, with the negotiation. What he wants is not a negotiated settlement, but control – over the process and over you. The time and energy it will take to continue will eventually outweigh any potential gains you could achieve through negotiation.
In (2), watch out for someone who describes people as absolutely good and blameless, or as absolutely evil and responsible. This behaviour suggests that he or she lacks the mindset necessary for negotiation. Therefore, if you negotiate, you can expect not to receive meaningful concessions, because this type of person does not believe you deserve them.
As I review White’s advice and thoughts, although it was not specifically on political negotiation, it is quite clear too that treachery-related norms such as control and evil came into play.
Politicians who have no qualms about betraying their colleagues and allies are evil men and women bent on exerting control over others they are not in the position to do so.
So, be wary of that dagger ready to be stabbed behind your back. Negotiate with traitors at your own peril!
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune. Feedback can reach the writer at sirsiah@gmail.com
