by Ong Kian Ming (extracted from Malaysiakini)

Much ink, most of it negative, has been spilled over the events that transpired in the Perak state assembly last Thursday. But the optimist in me always tries to see the silver lining shining through the dark clouds.

And the silver lining is this – the current political crisis in Perak is good for Malaysia because it emphasises the importance of the role of (1) procedures (2) institutions (3) people in our political system.

Firstly, the manner in which Barisan Nasional attempted to topple the Pakatan Rakyat state government in Perak raised all sorts of procedural questions as to whether something like that can be undertaken ‘constitutionally’.

Is it sufficient for BN to demonstrate to the sultan that they have the ‘support’ of a few Pakatan crossovers without calling for a motion of no confidence in the state legislature? Should the sultan have acceded to Mohammad Nizar Jamaluddin’s request for the state assembly to be dissolved given that he not been ‘replaced’ in his capacity as menteri besar? Could a motion of no confidence be tabled at the state assembly if the speaker of the legislature is from Pakatan?

The manner in which the BN state government was ‘installed’ and the manner in which Nizar was ‘replaced’ by rival MB Zambry Abd Kadir resulted in the current political crisis in Perak. It sets a stark precedent for both BN as well as Pakatan that such ‘takeover’ attempts, be it at the state or federal level, is bound to end in political gridlock.

Anwar was fortunate in that his Sept 16 attempt to take over the federal government did not materialise. Even if he had the numbers to form a majority in Parliament, including gaining the support of Pakatan ‘friendly’ independent MPs who may have left BN, the same kind of political gridlock may well have ensued.

In this case, Anwar Ibrahim and Pakatan would probably have faced the public ire of causing such a political crisis. Instead, by successfully switching the allegiance of three Pakatan assemblypersons in Perak, BN finds that the public opinion is firmly on the side of Pakatan, or at least in favour of dissolving the state legislature and for fresh elections to be held.

After Perak, any coalition will have second thoughts before trying a similar maneuver to topple a government at the state or federal level. Similarly, any sultan of any state or the Agong, would also have serious reservations about not following the proper procedure in replacing one government with another. And these, in my humble opinion, are good precedents that have been set.

Need for an anti-hopping law

Secondly, the events in Perak have shown the need for the strengthening of institutional safeguards in the Malaysian political context. One such safeguard would be the introduction of an anti-hopping law which prevents a politician from switching from one political party to another after he or she has been elected.

The arguments which have been put forth against such a law – that it is undemocratic, that is unnecessarily restricts the freedom of conscience of a politician, that such actions are common in other democracies such as the United Kingdom and United States, ring hollow, especially after Perak.

Malaysia is nowhere near to being a democratic country by any stretch of the imagination and the fact that elected politicians, most of whom were elected based on their party affiliation, are ‘persuaded’ to switch sides so that democratically-elected governments can be toppled, either at the state or federal level, is surely more undemocratic than passing such an anti-hopping law.

Another institutional safeguard, whose importance has been highlighted by the Perak situation, is the role which our courts need to play in clarifying procedural and constitutional issues in such instances of political gridlock and uncertainty.

It is certainly heartening to see politicians on both sides use the institution of our courts to resolve these differences rather than resorting to other less peaceful ways of conflict resolution. But if the decisions which are made by our courts are not seen as impartial and not made without fear or favour, one could easily imagine politicians on either side resorting to extrajudicial means to gain control of the state government in Perak.

The public scrutiny which the courts are facing as a result of this political crisis, in my humble opinion, is also a good thing.

An explosion of online activity

The final silver lining that shines brightly through the darkness of this political crisis is the political awareness which it has raised among the average Malaysian citizen.

Almost overnight, the person on the street is much more aware of the role in which the sultans, the courts, the constitutions (at the state and federal levels) and the speaker of the House play in our political system. Interest in politics in Malaysia among the average citizen has probably never been higher.

The arrest of academic/activist Wong Chin Huat has also made people more aware of the cause of Bersih, to reform the electoral system in Malaysia, and increased the debate on how different people interpret the slogan of Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak - 1Malaysia.

The explosion of online activity – forums, letters, Facebook and Twitter updates, photos, blogposts, podcasts, articles, reports – in the aftermath of the May 7 assembly clearly shows a Malaysian public that is politically aware, interested and engaged in the events in Perak and beyond.

This kind of public interest coupled with the ability to engage in a manner which demonstrates political maturity, are good signs for the future of democracy in Malaysia.

The political crisis in Perak shows no sign of ending anytime soon. But we should take heart in the silver linings that shines through amidst the dark clouds. And in the long term, the health of the Malaysian democracy will benefit from this experience.

Popularity: 6% [?]

I found this piece by Brian Yap at The Malaysianinsider quite fascinating for its reference to the 2 births of this nation and the parallels he draw to the opposition faced to the birth of Malaysia in 1963.

He said “Like 45 years ago, there is resistance and opposition. There is uncertainty, fear and tension, some real, some orchestrated. This isn’t surprising. The status quo will never stand by idly waiting while change takes over.”

How history then to repeat, or at least some people never learnt from history!

“It’s now 45 years later and the country is facing a different set of problems. Once again, we are called to believe in the concept of Malaysia, to believe that as different as we are from one another, we can come together. To believe that all Malaysians have a shared destiny, one that can only be fulfilled if we all stand brave in the face of the greatest of enemies, one that often tempts us to be less than what we are - ourselves.”

It is best you read this whole passage by Brian Yap, for it is truly something I whole heartly believe in too.

Welcome to a born-again Malaysia!

SEPT 16 - This is perhaps the second Sept 16 so many Malaysians have been excited about. The first, of course, was 45 years ago, in 1963. Probably for simplicity sake, the coming together of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore as one nation was supposed to be on Aug 31, the same date as Malaya”s independence.

But as fate, and opposition from Indonesia and the Philippines, would have it, Malaysia’s formation was slightly delayed, leaving the new nation with two birthdays. Not surprisingly, Malaysians from the peninsula pay far less attention to Sept 16 than our Sabah and Sarawak brothers and sisters.

In 2008, we are on the cusp of history once more. It is not without significance that Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim cleverly chose Sept 16 as a self-imposed deadline. He could have picked, say, the first Tuesday of December, but he went with the date on which our nation was truly born, a date that continues to serve as a point of contention for East Malaysians as representative of how Putrajaya has little regard for their interests, a date that remains a regular day for much of the country despite its significance, which also happens to be something Pakatan Rakyat wants to change. In other words, 45 years on, Malaysia could be on the verge of being born again as a nation. This time as a functional democracy, something that we put on hold in the name of stability and economic development at heavy cost.

Like 45 years ago, there is resistance and opposition. There is uncertainty, fear and tension, some real, some orchestrated. This isn’t surprising. The status quo will never stand by idly waiting while change takes over. In fact, the status quo bets that Malaysians will retreat back into our suspicious ways once enough pressure has been applied, so it is choosing to crush the hopes of all of us who are optimistically dreaming of a new Malaysia by using the same old tactics. The best way to discourage Malaysia’s maturing into a functional democracy less obsessed with race is to divide the people further and prevent us from uniting for a larger cause.

So we now have, on this Malaysia Day, new ISA detainees, fabricated accusations of religious interference, a clampdown on the media and many other unsettling developments. All of which, I believe, are designed to create a state of unease and fatigue among Malaysians. But we also have, on this Malaysia Day, a citizenry that is considerably more enlightened, one that is more likely to see through the cynical manner race is exploited like a trump card by those afraid of losing all power.

This Malaysia Day, Malaysians are saying, “Enough!”‘ Enough of using the ISA as a political tool. Of using real people as pawns in their game. Enough of politicians who cause hate among Malaysians, then exploit it for what it’s worth. Enough to an entire nation being held hostage by the likes of Datuk Ahmad Ismail. Enough of Sabah and Sarawak being treated like second-class states. Enough of the blatant corruption, lies, mismanagement and downright incompetence. Enough, in other words, of Barisan Nasional rule - it is time for all right-thinking MPs to seriously consider crossing the floor as the moral thing to do.

This Sept 16, Malaysians have taken back Malaysia Day as a reminder of the struggle to make our country great again. ISA vigils are being held for the ISA detainees. The move to form a new federal government is underway. Even those from within BN, be they component parties or Cabinet ministers, are speaking out for what’s right.

In 1963, we became Malaysia under volatile circumstances. Hostile neighbours, a problematic Singapore and the difficulty in holding together a diverse, newly formed nation were just a few of the challenges we faced. It’s now 45 years later and the country is facing a different set of problems. Once again, we are called to believe in the concept of Malaysia, to believe that as different as we are from one another, we can come together. To believe that all Malaysians have a shared destiny, one that can only be fulfilled if we all stand brave in the face of the greatest of enemies, one that often tempts us to be less than what we are - ourselves.

Popularity: 29% [?]

I write this with a heavy heart after hearing the news that 2 ladies - a reporter Ms Tan and MP Teresa Kok were arrested under the draconian ISA. These 2 news came following the not too surprising arrest of RPK, the icon of the new Malaysia.

What have the 2 ladies done that deserve ISA?

The reporter was merely doing her job of reporting what Ahmad Ismail said, while the actual instigator was only slapped with a suspension from party politics. THIS is blatant injustice.

What about Teresa Kok ? What has she done that is deemed a security threat?

I suppose many of us are now thinking that it is all part of a ploy to scare the opposition and the majority of Malaysians. Some of us may believe it may be a ploy to incite their supporters to rally a protest march. In that case, it becomes fodder for BN to declare a State of Emergency and play their end game.

Will there be other arrests ala Ops Lalang? Is this how the current regime wants to retain power? THIS is blatant injustice.

My prayers are with RPK, Ms Tan and Teresa :-

May God give you the strength, the will and patience to endure hardship for your calling, our nation and for democracy and truth. May God grant your family the grace to endure along with you. You are not alone - God will be at your side. 

If we are not rouse from our slumber by this foul stench of injustice, I have this Franciscan prayer for us all:

“May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.

May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain in to joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.”

Popularity: 41% [?]