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More Than Meets the Eye

‘Abiding Times’, theSun, 26 June 2009

UNLIKE the Transformers (warning: spoilers ahead), split into the Autobots and Decepticons whose eternal enmity has a clear and undisputed origin, Malays supporting different political parties have no such back-story. We, the people of Malaysia, including all those of us the government recognises as Malay, have multiple heritages. The ancient Malay rulers did not collectively forge a ‘Keris of Leadership’ that would, if unsheathed in some distant future, magically slay discord among the race. What we do have is a Constitution, wherefrom our institutions, some ancient and some modern, derive their continued legitimacy, and through which the aspirations and freedoms of the Malaysian people are supposed to be protected and advanced.

We have discussed this concept of ‘unity’ before: one could produce a catalogue of intra-Malay conflict, including numerous civil wars and lesser rivalries, and it would be thicker than the PKFZ report. Of course, I do not condone war, but the point is that Malays have disagreed with each other in the past and often allied with non-Malays to emerge victorious. The difference is that now we use the ballot box to express those disagreements.

“The figure of unity for all Malaysians is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who represents all of us regardless of our ethnic background.”

Indeed, I shall do my duty in reminding everyone that there is already a figure of unity for all Malaysians, and that is the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, who represents all of us regardless of our ethnic background. His Majesty takes precedence precisely because he is our paramount figurehead. We ask for his safe reign in our national anthem after collectively shedding our symbolic blood and extolling the virtues of living with one another in peace. That is the unity which, our coat of arms declares, ‘is strength’. The role of politicians does not feature.

If politicians are to ‘unite’, there ought to be some good public policy or ideological grounds for them to do so: if not, the endeavour is nakedly about power. It’s otherwise expected that they should disagree with each other, and I reckon most Malaysians prefer it that way. We want them to come up with different ways to tackle the nation’s problems, secure our freedom and increase our prosperity, so that we have a genuine choice every five years.

Although PAS has now re-affirmed its fraternity with its Pakatan partners, the episode might have already incurred electoral costs to the party amongst its urban sympathisers. It was preceded by the party’s election for party posts, the results of which have been widely interpreted to be a victory of a ‘conservative’ faction over a ‘more liberal’ school of thought within the party. There is much curiosity about how the party will move forward, particularly since there was a furore over the call to ban Sisters in Islam (which was, it is now admitted, a mistake). On the other hand, the party is on its way to opening up full membership to non-Muslims, which is a significant step.

In the meantime, PKR has transformed into a much more democratic party, after the passing of amendments to introduce term limits and directly elect the party president, in addition to lowering the qualifying age of the Youth wing. The requirement for women to comprise 30 percent of all decision-making committees suffers the usual problems of such targets, which is that more qualified men may lose out, and some women might consider it condescending that they need this provision, but overall, it’s a big step in the democratisation of our politics, and hopefully all other political parties take note.

Indeed since last year, there have also been voices in UMNO advocating internal reforms. Several within the party have called for direct elections for party posts, and the president himself has signalled a need for reforms and a review of the party constitution. But we’ll need to wait and see how extensive these will be.

The Malaysia Think Tank has been advocating the democratisation of political parties for some time now, so these are welcome signs. If the parties themselves are democratic then the state assemblies and parliament will be too. Their ranks will be much more accustomed to competing with other people, and familiar with the idea that they serve at the grassroots’ behest.

However, what no party has yet effectively tackled is the selection of candidates for state and federal elections, which is still determined by the leadership. Without primaries or caucuses, YBs are less likely to feel beholden to their constituents, and less resistant to defection. I hope that one of our great political parties takes the lead on this. It’s the most foolproof method of getting independent constituency-minded parliamentarians, instead of deceptive automatons.