Screenshots

Now we may have the reasons why we can't find parking lots around the Parliament House.

There are many visitors to the Parliament. And there are too many lobbyists who have parked themselves in the Parliament House to start campaigning though Umno party election, and the EGM that Ku Li is trying to lobby for, are still far-fetched in the calendar.

This Umno phenomenon was testified by NST's Zubaidah Abu Bakar yesterday. Quote:

CAMPAIGNING for the Umno elections has found its way to Parliament.

While aspirants do not openly campaign there, a handful of self-proclaimed "lobbyists" are now often seen in the building whenever the Dewan Rakyat is in session.

For those who are familiar with these faces, they are quite easily spotted -- in the cafeteria for instance -- trading information, cross-checking facts with one another or merely mingling with aides of cabinet ministers and deputy ministers.

While those already "working for someone" could be seen playing their roles in earnest, the others were simply pitching for potential "employers". And they tend to be quite choosy as to who they would work for as there are many among the Umno lawmakers who are keen to contest in the December party polls.

Using the services of these lobbyists or campaign managers, as some prefer to call themselves, is an acceptable practice in Umno. It has been going on for a long time although some say this norm breeds money politics in the party.

These lobbyists are also widely recognised in Umno circles as people who can make or break aspirants, being quite adept in pushing for certain candidates to get elected, or equally skilled at thwarting the rise of ambitious leaders by destroying their credibility.

And, of course, they work for money.

The more they change, they more they remain the same.

NOTE: On Monday (May 5, 2008), since my complaint, new parking lots have been drawn along the kerbs formerly demarcated by non-parking white lines to take in more cars.