AUG 27 — Several weeks ago, I hosted a lunch for a Malaysian politician and an Indonesian businessman.
The politician and I were struck by the tycoon’s steadfast support of his nation’s democratic traditions. He stressed that he would not be where he was now had it not been for Reformasi and the turbulence of 1998. Indeed, he made a powerful argument that his country wouldn’t be powering ahead were it not for the transformation that took place after Soeharto’s ouster.
Interestingly, I think most Malaysian businessmen, including those dependent on government contracts, would agree with my Indonesian friend.
All societies need change. Countries that don’t or can’t change (like Japan) remain ossified and stagnant. Malaysia is in danger of experiencing a “Lost Decade” like Japan did — being stuck in an unproductive (even destructive) socio-economic and political model.
In the past, I used to praise Malaysia’s slow but steady pace of change. The events of the last decade have changed my mind. I now see that our evolutionary (as opposed to revolutionary) political process is a formidable barrier to our future growth.
Politics is holding us back and until we resolve two core political challenges, we will remain in limbo. The first is the role of ethnicity and second, the civil liberties agenda. Economic reform cannot happen when race still governs our public life, and where our citizens are not allowed to think and speak independently.
We remain a top-down, illiberal and limited democracy. We have leaders who do not trust the rakyat. The rakyat, conversely are increasingly frustrated with what is going on. They clearly see that to maintain the status quo there is a cynical fanning of racial and religious sentiment that only pushes us closer to some kind of political Armageddon.
So, as Malaysia readies itself for what appears to be our 13th general election, I have a few points to stress, reflecting some of the developments over the past two years:
Public scepticism and distrust is peaking
Public distrust has mounted. We are face to face with too many scandals and legal travesties — ranging from the Teoh Beng Hock inquest to the second Anwar Ibrahim trial. These unresolved, and unresolvable, cases gnaw away at public confidence. They impact the entire system. As a result, there is less and less confidence in public institutions.
We are experiencing a breakdown of the culture of deference in the Malay society:
The Malay society has been highly disciplined and hierarchical for many decades. However, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Melayu Baru rhetoric has taken root. Like it or not, the vast expansion of the Malay middle class has changed the dynamic between the ruled and the rulers. The Malay community is no longer respectful of entrenched authority. Instead, they are critical and analytical.
Indeed, younger Malaysians of all races are more “transactional” in their approach to politics. They ask, “What’s in it for me?” Elected officials have to be more humble and service-orientated. MP’s and ministers can no longer expect to command respect. They have to earn it, step-by-step. And the best way to do it is by being honest and humble.
Not all political warhorses will deliver the goods
Sarawak’s Tan Sri Taib Mahmud has been in office for well over 30 years. Is he liked or disliked? Can he deliver his state again into the hands of the Barisan Nasional? Past success is no guarantee of future delivery. The next state election in Sarawak will be eagerly contested and watched.
The role of the media: what is the truth?
The continuing restrictions on the Malaysian media have proven to be a disaster for the Barisan. On the other hand, certain conservative papers appear to have been given a free hand to engage in race-baiting. These double-standards have not boosted public sentiment, but rob the government of a very effective method of understanding what is happening on the ground.
Without freedom of expression, journalists can only write what the leaders want to read, not what they need to. As a result, Malaysia’s elite have become insulated from the rakyat, something the former can ill-afford at this juncture.
The Age of Coalitions is here
The results of the UK and Australian elections show that the Westminster system of democracy — which Malaysia also practises — tends to produce hung legislatures when voter dissatisfaction is great. The question then arises: Who — Barisan or Pakatan Rakyat — has a sounder alliance? Who can better bring our fragmented socio-political sphere?
These factors will become apparent in the upcoming power plays. Whatever happens, there is no turning back and Malaysia will never be the same again.
Interestingly, I think most Malaysian businessmen, including those dependent on government contracts, would agree with my Indonesian friend.
All societies need change. Countries that don’t or can’t change (like Japan) remain ossified and stagnant. Malaysia is in danger of experiencing a “Lost Decade” like Japan did — being stuck in an unproductive (even destructive) socio-economic and political model.
In the past, I used to praise Malaysia’s slow but steady pace of change. The events of the last decade have changed my mind. I now see that our evolutionary (as opposed to revolutionary) political process is a formidable barrier to our future growth.
Politics is holding us back and until we resolve two core political challenges, we will remain in limbo. The first is the role of ethnicity and second, the civil liberties agenda. Economic reform cannot happen when race still governs our public life, and where our citizens are not allowed to think and speak independently.
We remain a top-down, illiberal and limited democracy. We have leaders who do not trust the rakyat. The rakyat, conversely are increasingly frustrated with what is going on. They clearly see that to maintain the status quo there is a cynical fanning of racial and religious sentiment that only pushes us closer to some kind of political Armageddon.
So, as Malaysia readies itself for what appears to be our 13th general election, I have a few points to stress, reflecting some of the developments over the past two years:
Public scepticism and distrust is peaking
Public distrust has mounted. We are face to face with too many scandals and legal travesties — ranging from the Teoh Beng Hock inquest to the second Anwar Ibrahim trial. These unresolved, and unresolvable, cases gnaw away at public confidence. They impact the entire system. As a result, there is less and less confidence in public institutions.
We are experiencing a breakdown of the culture of deference in the Malay society:
The Malay society has been highly disciplined and hierarchical for many decades. However, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Melayu Baru rhetoric has taken root. Like it or not, the vast expansion of the Malay middle class has changed the dynamic between the ruled and the rulers. The Malay community is no longer respectful of entrenched authority. Instead, they are critical and analytical.
Indeed, younger Malaysians of all races are more “transactional” in their approach to politics. They ask, “What’s in it for me?” Elected officials have to be more humble and service-orientated. MP’s and ministers can no longer expect to command respect. They have to earn it, step-by-step. And the best way to do it is by being honest and humble.
Not all political warhorses will deliver the goods
Sarawak’s Tan Sri Taib Mahmud has been in office for well over 30 years. Is he liked or disliked? Can he deliver his state again into the hands of the Barisan Nasional? Past success is no guarantee of future delivery. The next state election in Sarawak will be eagerly contested and watched.
The role of the media: what is the truth?
The continuing restrictions on the Malaysian media have proven to be a disaster for the Barisan. On the other hand, certain conservative papers appear to have been given a free hand to engage in race-baiting. These double-standards have not boosted public sentiment, but rob the government of a very effective method of understanding what is happening on the ground.
Without freedom of expression, journalists can only write what the leaders want to read, not what they need to. As a result, Malaysia’s elite have become insulated from the rakyat, something the former can ill-afford at this juncture.
The Age of Coalitions is here
The results of the UK and Australian elections show that the Westminster system of democracy — which Malaysia also practises — tends to produce hung legislatures when voter dissatisfaction is great. The question then arises: Who — Barisan or Pakatan Rakyat — has a sounder alliance? Who can better bring our fragmented socio-political sphere?
These factors will become apparent in the upcoming power plays. Whatever happens, there is no turning back and Malaysia will never be the same again.
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