It’s hard not to be partisan in Malaysian politics.
When I was working as a journalist for The Malaysian Insider, not one day would pass where I would be asked by my interviewees “who do you support? Government (Barisan Nasional/ National Alliance) or Opposition (Pakatan Rakyat/ People’s Pact)?”
Binaries. Either black or white. And you had to be extra careful too with your answer, because it would affect your chances in that particular interview.
Personally, I believe that although party policies will to a certain extent define/dictate a politician/ elected representative’s stand on socio-political issues, people are people. We exist to differ. Which is why I would rather not vote or support a candidate solely based on their political affiliation. In every party there are progressives and conservative voices. You just have to weed them out.
I however do have a problem when politicians resort to fear and hate tactics- using their position and influence to create a dystopian hegemony of fear to ensure that their parties remain in power. Now both BN and PR are guilty of this, having been to countless pre-election forums and speeches. But this really took the cake:
(file pic of Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, copyright of The Malaysian Insider)
Former Women, Family and Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil used her position as the Women’s wing leader of Malay ruling party Umno (currently part of the ruling BN coalition) during the party’s general assembly earlier this week to drum into delegates a simple message: that Malaysia would see a return of its infamous 1969 racial riots should the Opposition win the next election- which must be called by the middle of next year.
The May 13, 1969 bloody race riots which took place in the city capital still strikes a sensitive chord to many Malaysians- where the country witnessed racial clashes between the Chinese and the Malays sparked by a culmination of issues which had reached a tipping point- political, economical and also surrounding Malay rights. The country was under martial law for the next 18 months, and the rebuilding of trust between the two races took quite a long time to rebuild.
“If we no longer have power, then the country’s political stability will be affected.
“I fear that this could lead to a racial tension that could invite the same tragedy of May 13, 1969,” Shahrizat was quoted as saying by The Malaysian Insider on November 28.
(http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/print/malaysia/shahrizat-may-13-could-repeat-if-umno-weak/)
Now, what does she mean by this? She uses her platform as a women’s wing leader to drum this message to Umno delegates. Is her warning justified? In her speech, she talks about how Umno MUST remain in power to reaffirm Malay dominance in politics so that Malay rights do no get eroded, and this balancing of the status quo will help maintain ties with other ethnic minorities.
Hello. Its become pretty obvious that after decades of pro-Malay/ Bumiputera policies, it hasn’t worked. What these age-old policies have managed to create are distinct social classes between Malay. Malays still account for a huge percentage of the country’s hardcore poor and (ironically) at the same the highest percentage of Malaysia’s rich elite minority.
After years and years of using the race card, Umno should re-invent its policies. If they want to seriously attract new, young voters they have to stop playing the racial bogeyman. Don’t give the Opposition an electoral win by default. Show us policies which will address social poverty, irregardless of race.
I view her remarks as a threat, that if Umno, and by that extension BN does not win the national polls civil and ethnic unrest will take place. Is this the sort of person you would still want in the Cabinet, or occupying any government post?
Not in my book, no.
These are great. Keep it up, I’m sure you’ll go far.