Black and white politics
Bishan SinghPublished: May 13, 2001 9:30 PM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
The Malaysian political disease: "Either you are with us or you are against us."
Politicians are polarising the community, especially those from the Barisan Nasional with their "either-or" attitude and behaviour. This is one feedback from the people since launching the "Campaign for Participatory Democracy, Accountable Governance and Responsible Civil Society", in February.
The Anwar Ibrahim saga has brought to surface and is reinforcing a dangerous belief, especially among the Barisan Nasional politicians, that "either you are with us or you are against us". What is dangerous about this is that the might of the state is with it and it can be abused. The action Melaka Chief Minister Ali Rustam took, post-general election, against banks, doctors, lawyers, government servants and others who were sympathetic or supported the opposition graphically validates this point.
Corollary to this development, the Anwar saga also extends the "either-or" attitude and behaviour, and epitomises it in the leadership of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed. If a citizen questions the political leadership and demands for accountability, practising participatory democracy, often he or she is immediately accused of being anti-establishment, against Dr Mahathir's leadership and being an Anwar supporter.
Often it does not end there. It is followed by punitive action of the subtlest kind or open reward for support. A good example is the ongoing crisis in our judiciary. In spite of public outcry and an allegation that the chief justice had gone on a family holiday with his "favourite" lawyer to New Zealand, no action has been taken by the prime minister or the Anti Corruption Agency.
Instead, a six-month extension of service was given. Meanwhile, the Bar Council is embroiled in the uphill task of merely discharging its public responsibility in wanting to protect the sanctity of the judicial system.
The promotion of "blind loyalty" to a leader is bad even for a political party in a democracy - what more in governance. This trend, unfortunately, as many people have pointed out, has unleashed a behavioural tendency among people to distance themselves from Anwar and overtly be seen to support Dr Mahathir's leadership.
This is creating a syndrome of non-involvement, negating the spirit of participatory democracy, and stopping us from seeking transparency and accountability of our leaders, institutions and governance.
According to feedback, the trend has taken root in political parties, the mainstream media, the civil service, the judiciary, the police and almost all other public and private institutions. In most cases, the custodians of these institutions are using their positions for personal advancement and gain and at the expense of accountability, justice and public interest.
A former IGP beats up a handcuffed and blindfolded detainee under his custody and protection. Police reports of corruption among ministers are not investigated into. The prime minister, in an open court, is accused of stopping the Anti-Corruption Agency from taking action against a senior officer. Children and relatives of ministers and politicians are becoming millionaires and billionaires.
Sad to say these trends have unleashed a number of negative developments in our society that is not conducive to building a responsible civil society for participatory democracy and accountable governance. The "either-or" attitude and behaviour is increasing the divide in our society.
The judicious behaviour of the civil society to decide for itself according to the merit of the situation is not acceptable. If you are not for me, then you are against me. So, you must be punished and made to regret. This is grounding the culture of fear in our society. On the other hand, "blind loyalty" is rewarded. This is creating space and opportunity for negative social values, such as flattery, greed, jealousy and vindictiveness, to flourish.
Increasingly, leaders and people in responsible positions in the political, private and public sectors are currying favours, lying and putting on an act without any qualms. To the general public it has contributed to great cynicism. For example, the recent announcement of a senior minister that he was resigning was seen as "wayang kulit" - a drama with the foregone conclusion that he would not go. People even do not believe what they read in the papers nowadays. They are now becoming adept at reading between the lines.
To the younger and future generation, our leaders are becoming the wrong role models. I once heard a youth at a political discussion, who said that his father was very stupid for being an honest and straightforward person. Now, his father is a well-educated and popular person in the community. But all the youth had to say was, if only his father had participated in politics he could have become rich; even if he did not get a political appointment he could have benefitted by being just a "yes man", getting some blue-chip shares, contracts, licences, land or low-cost houses.
Just imagine what this youth will grow up to be! I am sure he will become a wheeler-dealer. Little wonder how our youth and schoolchildren are imbued with such negative values and involved in social delinquency. Some are burning down their classrooms, beating up teachers, extorting money and involved in sex, drugs, alcohol, etc.
The question is, can one live in a society that is out of control? The "either-or" malady is unleashing a negative social development process that is oscillating wildly and has begun to run free with the potential danger to the future of the nation and society. The consensus is that the rot has set in.
It is an urgent appeal to our leaders and elders to help set things right. National interest must come before personal interest. Those of us who love the country and want to build a strong society and nation must act. The civil society must become brave and more responsible. We must claim our sovereignty and participate actively in our governance and hold the government accountable to the people. We must make sure the government remains the servant of the people and does not become their master.
BISHAN SINGH is co-ordinator of Campaign for Participatory Democracy, Accountable Governance and Responsible Civil Society. The campaign is non-partisan and aims at holding all those who offer their leadership for public services, both in the government and opposition, accountable to the people and nation they serve. This campaign is exercising our freedom and right of association in a meaningful and constructive way to ensure a viable, functioning democracy. To join the campaign: e-mail bisans@pc.jaring.my.
Politicians are polarising the community, especially those from the Barisan Nasional with their "either-or" attitude and behaviour. This is one feedback from the people since launching the "Campaign for Participatory Democracy, Accountable Governance and Responsible Civil Society", in February.
The Anwar Ibrahim saga has brought to surface and is reinforcing a dangerous belief, especially among the Barisan Nasional politicians, that "either you are with us or you are against us". What is dangerous about this is that the might of the state is with it and it can be abused. The action Melaka Chief Minister Ali Rustam took, post-general election, against banks, doctors, lawyers, government servants and others who were sympathetic or supported the opposition graphically validates this point.
Corollary to this development, the Anwar saga also extends the "either-or" attitude and behaviour, and epitomises it in the leadership of Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamed. If a citizen questions the political leadership and demands for accountability, practising participatory democracy, often he or she is immediately accused of being anti-establishment, against Dr Mahathir's leadership and being an Anwar supporter.
Often it does not end there. It is followed by punitive action of the subtlest kind or open reward for support. A good example is the ongoing crisis in our judiciary. In spite of public outcry and an allegation that the chief justice had gone on a family holiday with his "favourite" lawyer to New Zealand, no action has been taken by the prime minister or the Anti Corruption Agency.
Instead, a six-month extension of service was given. Meanwhile, the Bar Council is embroiled in the uphill task of merely discharging its public responsibility in wanting to protect the sanctity of the judicial system.
The promotion of "blind loyalty" to a leader is bad even for a political party in a democracy - what more in governance. This trend, unfortunately, as many people have pointed out, has unleashed a behavioural tendency among people to distance themselves from Anwar and overtly be seen to support Dr Mahathir's leadership.
This is creating a syndrome of non-involvement, negating the spirit of participatory democracy, and stopping us from seeking transparency and accountability of our leaders, institutions and governance.
According to feedback, the trend has taken root in political parties, the mainstream media, the civil service, the judiciary, the police and almost all other public and private institutions. In most cases, the custodians of these institutions are using their positions for personal advancement and gain and at the expense of accountability, justice and public interest.
A former IGP beats up a handcuffed and blindfolded detainee under his custody and protection. Police reports of corruption among ministers are not investigated into. The prime minister, in an open court, is accused of stopping the Anti-Corruption Agency from taking action against a senior officer. Children and relatives of ministers and politicians are becoming millionaires and billionaires.
Sad to say these trends have unleashed a number of negative developments in our society that is not conducive to building a responsible civil society for participatory democracy and accountable governance. The "either-or" attitude and behaviour is increasing the divide in our society.
The judicious behaviour of the civil society to decide for itself according to the merit of the situation is not acceptable. If you are not for me, then you are against me. So, you must be punished and made to regret. This is grounding the culture of fear in our society. On the other hand, "blind loyalty" is rewarded. This is creating space and opportunity for negative social values, such as flattery, greed, jealousy and vindictiveness, to flourish.
Increasingly, leaders and people in responsible positions in the political, private and public sectors are currying favours, lying and putting on an act without any qualms. To the general public it has contributed to great cynicism. For example, the recent announcement of a senior minister that he was resigning was seen as "wayang kulit" - a drama with the foregone conclusion that he would not go. People even do not believe what they read in the papers nowadays. They are now becoming adept at reading between the lines.
To the younger and future generation, our leaders are becoming the wrong role models. I once heard a youth at a political discussion, who said that his father was very stupid for being an honest and straightforward person. Now, his father is a well-educated and popular person in the community. But all the youth had to say was, if only his father had participated in politics he could have become rich; even if he did not get a political appointment he could have benefitted by being just a "yes man", getting some blue-chip shares, contracts, licences, land or low-cost houses.
Just imagine what this youth will grow up to be! I am sure he will become a wheeler-dealer. Little wonder how our youth and schoolchildren are imbued with such negative values and involved in social delinquency. Some are burning down their classrooms, beating up teachers, extorting money and involved in sex, drugs, alcohol, etc.
The question is, can one live in a society that is out of control? The "either-or" malady is unleashing a negative social development process that is oscillating wildly and has begun to run free with the potential danger to the future of the nation and society. The consensus is that the rot has set in.
It is an urgent appeal to our leaders and elders to help set things right. National interest must come before personal interest. Those of us who love the country and want to build a strong society and nation must act. The civil society must become brave and more responsible. We must claim our sovereignty and participate actively in our governance and hold the government accountable to the people. We must make sure the government remains the servant of the people and does not become their master.
BISHAN SINGH is co-ordinator of Campaign for Participatory Democracy, Accountable Governance and Responsible Civil Society. The campaign is non-partisan and aims at holding all those who offer their leadership for public services, both in the government and opposition, accountable to the people and nation they serve. This campaign is exercising our freedom and right of association in a meaningful and constructive way to ensure a viable, functioning democracy. To join the campaign: e-mail bisans@pc.jaring.my.
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