Malaysia's Election 2004
7 March 2004

Published in Malaysiakini on 8 March 2004 under the heading of 'Vote for leaders who have made sacrifices'.

There is no doubt that Barisan Nasional will emerge victorious in the coming general elections just like how the movie 'The Lord of the Rings' made a clean sweep at the Oscars recently. However unlike this story by J.R.R. Tolkien, where the good and courageous triumphed over evil corrupted characters, we are going to witness the opposite in the election. One does not have to be a wizard to predict that the majority of Malaysians are going to vote in the same government who have mismanaged our nation for the past 46 years, again.

I believe the main reason for this phenomenon is that Malaysians are generally greedy. We crave for an easy life so much that we are willing to trade our liberties and rights, in order to achieve our selfish materialistic objectives in the easiest way possible. We have come to accept that corruption and cronyism is the norm in our country.

The fact that the same ruling party has been holding the key to the larder of the nation makes it all the more easier for the government to distribute the country's wealth to fit their whims and fancies. As much as the government wants to deny it, the distribution of wealth and opportunity in our country is blatantly unequal and unfair.

Although Malaysians have enjoyed a vast amount of progress in the field of economy, health care, job opportunities and infrastructure throughout the years, we have to realize that these come at a hefty price. For every road that is built, and every project that is approved, a large portion of taxpayer's money is being looted and squandered by undeserving individuals at the top. This is proven by the many high profile corruption cases including those uncovered recently involving a Cabinet Minister, a Municipal Council President and a former CEO of a steel factory.

It is welcoming to note that Prime Minister Dato Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has started cracking down on these criminals within the first few months of his appointment. We hope that he does not resemble the proverbial new broom that only sweeps well at first but will continue in his effort to weed out these bad elements from his administration even after the elections are over. It would be a shame if this has just been an election ploy to gain the support of the people.

Malaysians are well known for their lack of long-term memory and their pathological willingness to forgive even the most heinous of crimes. Is the Prime Minister taking advantage of this situation to gain the confidence of the voters by merely dusting off a thin layer of dirt that covers the surface of a much larger cabinet of slime and sludge? We shall wait and see whether his effort to eliminate corruption and bring about greater transparency in the government will be sustained.

In the mean time, let us not forget about the shady deals, failed mega projects and discriminatory policies, which were rife in the previous administration of Dr. Mahathir. Do not let these few months of frantic effort by the new Prime Minister to white wash the wrong doings of the past twenty-two years, fool us into voting for the wrong leaders again.

The choices we make now will determine the trajectory of our national development for the next four to five years. In my opinion, Malaysians have made many bad choices in the past elections due to our own greed and aversion to the tide of change. We have been sweet talked and sometimes threatened into believing that the Barisan Nasional and its component parties are the only parties who can govern the country.

Needless to say, the ruling party has unfairly portrayed the opposition parties as revolutionists and troublemakers. One such party, which has truly been neglected by the people, is the Democratic Action Party (DAP). For years and years, DAP has been consistent in its struggle to create an equal and just society in Malaysia. Many of its leaders have been imprisoned just because they believe in their ideals of a free and fair society. Even though it is has a predominantly Chinese support base, DAP's fight has always been for every Malaysian regardless of race, religion or socio-economic status.

On the other hand, Barisan Nasional has always been a patchwork of various community-based parties conveniently set up just to win elections. Outwardly they look united, but from the inside, each party is steaming ahead to forward the interests of the race or community they represent. How sincere then are their efforts to unite all Malaysians, if their sole purpose of existence is to take care of the needs of their own community?

We have of course the other opposition parties in Malaysia whom together with DAP, keep an eye on the ruling party in Parliament. But these parties are too engrossed in their own personal agenda, which do not truly and fully represent the aspirations of the people of Malaysia.

While PAS openly promises an Islamic State if they come into power, Keadilan is still considered too young in the political arena to be taken seriously by the voters. Furthermore, Keadilan was formed in response to the arrest and conviction of the former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Thus people will always view the party as a vehicle solely constructed for the retribution of the politically motivated arrest.

However I believe that we need a stronger opposition in Parliament to keep an eye on the ruling party. Despite their differences, each opposition party still has a collective role to play.

It has been 5 years since the last general elections was held. Since then internet access has become more prevalent in our country and discussion forums, web logs and other web sites have sprouted all over the web. Within these five years, Malaysiakini, the Malaysian Internet news media, has gained a reputation for its unbiased reporting. Have these new developments change the mindset of the Malaysian voters?

Malaysians of all races, religion and socio-economic status should start analyzing their conscience before going to the polls. Are we going to remain greedy, selfish and resistant to change and thus vote for the same government with the same old ways of doing business?

Or are we going to be brave enough for once and give our full support to the real leaders who have given up their time, freedom and life, so that we can become an equal and just society?

PELITA NEGARA

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