The chaos that currently whips the nation has stemmed from the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal, the RM2.6 billion political donation, Malaysia Official 1 and a host of other issues. But, it is the selfishness and the opportunistic character of our politicians that has worsened the whole situation.
I’m offering two instances here to prove my argument that politics is actually the root cause of the country’s current chaos.
The Bersih 5 nationwide roadshow kicked off recently, and the Red Shirts group led by Sungai Besar Umno division chairman Jamal Md Yunos simultaneously launched their counterattack with the apparent motive of intimidating the public from taking part in Bersih’s Nov 19 rally.
Sure, in a democratic country, the Red Shirts have the right to gather peacefully provided it does not breach the legal limits. However in Perak, the Red Shirts motor convoy attacked Bersih 5 vehicles, a clear violation of the country’s laws. As the rule of law forms the basis of social stability, it is imperative that the police take prompt and decisive action against the violators to curtail more law-breaking acts in the future.
During their Sept 16 rally last year, the Red Shirts made a fiery attempt to intrude into Petaling Street and engaged in physical clashes with the policemen on duty. Unfortunately, such behavior was given the thumbs-up by some of our politicians. It’s the politicians that have twisted our laws, making them non-executable.
Another instance is the mass exodus by Sabah Pakatan Harapan leaders led by the state Opposition leader Lajim Ukin, reflecting the reality that party-hopping is still very much the byword of Sabah politics.
Although these Opposition leaders claimed that they jumped ship to strengthen the local Opposition front in fighting for greater autonomy for Sabah, no one can deny that they might be eyeing to expand their own influences, considering the increasing might of Umno in the state.
Setting up more local Opposition parties will not fortify the state Opposition but will instead intensify existing conflicts.
Take the Likas seat for example. Following the departure of state assemblyman Wong Hong Jun, it is certain that DAP will not give up the seat in the coming general election, and the eventual three-cornered fight will only benefit the ruling coalition.
Lajim’s past records have been anything but convincing. He betrayed PBS immediately after the 1994 state election, causing the collapse of the PBS state government in favour of Barian Nasional (BN). He later joined Umno but was not on good terms with chief minister Musa Aman, and subsequently hopped over to PKR. There is no guarantee a person with such a trait will not turn against you at a crucial moment.
Even if the spirit is high in favour of a communal party, the integrity of these politicians still comes under the scrutiny of the voters. How can we expect a change of government if the people in the state have lost their faith in the Opposition? By right a confidence crisis within Umno should provide an excellent opportunity for the Opposition. Unfortunately, such an opportunity has been killed by the politicians’ own selfishness and wild ambitions.
There are many other instances of irresponsible politicians creating chaos in the country.
All of a sudden an Umno minister gives the greenlight for PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang to table a Private Member’s Bill on amendments to the Shariah law, posing a serious threat to our secular system.
Umno Youth Vice-Chief Khairul Azwan Harun makes a police report, accusing without any evidence whatsoever, the alleged involvement of three former senior government officials in a plot to overthrow the prime minister. And now Jamal Md Yunos argues that Bersih is being infiltrated by Islamic State elements.
To end all this chaos, it is therefore imperative that we tackle the problem from the political perspective. Nevertheless, what we see now is that regulatory bodies have been lagging in their effort to rein in such irresponsible acts, even to the extent of condoning the troublemakers.
Take the case of the National Consultative Committee on Political Financing for example. By right the law should be tightened but in its place, the committee has proposed not to cap the quantum of political donations. As if that is not enough, the committee has even proposed to remove the upper limit of election campaign expenditure.
We all still remember the absurd campaigning in Penang during the last general election. Other than a high-profile stage appearance by Korean singer Psy, there were also lucky draws, cash handouts and free dinners.
I wonder how our future election campaigns will be conducted in the absence of a limit on campaign expenditure.
The committee should have done much more than this, and should have proposed asset declaration by Cabinet members and senior government officials, as well as heavy penalties for those flouting the rules, as some other countries have done.
Other than monitoring political donations, the government must also make laws to stem racial discrimination as well as prevent politicians from stirring up racial issues and fanning racial emotions, among others.
Politicians must come under the watchful eyes of the authorities more, so that they do not tread on grey areas and throw our society, national economy and interracial relations into complete chaos.
But since these are the very people who dominate and manipulate the legislative power, we simply cannot pin too much hope on them to curb their own freedoms unless they are putting the country’s and the people’s well-being above their own.
Lim Sue Goan writes for Sin Chew Daily.
Sin Chew Daily is a local vernacular publication.
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