Communism is a social, political and economic ideology that creates a classless social order in a state. This movement, in its Marxist-Leninist broad interpretations, ominously influenced the history of the 20th century where there were communist states ruled by Communist parties versus Socialist states under socialist parties and the Free world – countries with market economies.
The term “communist” or “communism” is often used in the local political context as a bête noire to shudder the local Malays into not accommodating those people whose roots are found in Communist countries. For instance, using terms such as “communist-influenced” to describe events or rallies that do not favour the incumbent government is seen by political observers as a strategy to stir up Malay feelings.
An emotional aversion to most rural Malays
The word “communist” is quite an emotional aversion to some rural Malays in the country. But the majority Malays are now so immune to this term when it is used as a political pun or propaganda.
As Malayans and Malaysians we could and cannot deny the fact that almost 90 000 people were killed – soldiers and civilians during the Japanese invasion and occupation of Malaya (1941 or 45). The battle against the Japanese force was initially fought by the ground forces of the British Indian Army (British India) and Australians.
The long skirmishes with the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) (1930-1989) during the pre- and post-war eras killed about 3,000 civilians and non-civilians in Malaya (later Malaysia) and Singapore which included foreigners, Chinese, Malays and Indians. The CPM recruits also involved the Chinese, Malays and Indians.
Though it was the Dutch radicals who first introduced Communism South-East Asia, this ideology was given impetus by the rise of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). It was the political situation in China where the CCP leading China's two great revolutions, the democratic and the socialist revolutions, during the Chinese Revolution that had its major influence on the local scenes.
The influence of these events started to penetrate into South-East Asia with the inspiration and unconcealed support from China.
The era of pains and agony
The era of pains and agony the people of Malaya and Malaysia went through from 1930 to 1989 are etched in our history. Those belonging to the old domains (especially the army and police officers of all races who took charge) could never forget the ordeals they went through.
Nor could the peace-loving, helpless civilians among all races disremember the plights faced by the innocent victims of atrocities by those who wedged authority over them – all in the name of seizing power from one another.
No Malaysians would want this history to repeat. Malaysians of all races in the new domains are gradually beginning to see the future from a different perspective.
Reduced their fear
Japan has evolved into a nation of economic prosperity unlike the days before World War II and Malaysians are looking east to Japan to emulate their work ethics. Japanese products and investments in Malaysia are just phenomenal.
Today China has become one of the most favourite tourist destinations for Malaysians, especially the Malays. They dine in halal Chinese restaurants and visit many historical places including the famous mosques in the country. There is a huge Muslim population in China, especially in the western region of this vast land.
These tourists return home happy with a better perspective of the country. And this has reduced their fear of the word “communism” even when they do not subscribe to the ideology.
Thousands of Malaysians are studying in universities in China which are offering world-class education. They pick up Mandarin during their course of study and return home happy about their studies in that country. China is today a relatively peaceful country under its own system of governance and is developing rapidly.
Trying hard to cause anxiety
This ideology of communism has worked well in China – a country that has a population of 1.4billion people.
Today China does not export its political ideology to Malaysia. This is substituted with various economic commodities that are pouring into the Malaysian market.
Unfortunately, there are still some political zealots in the country who belong to the old domains trying hard to cause anxiety among the locals – especially the Malays – of the possible “resurgence” of communism in the country.
Research has shown that the most successful leader who managed to wheel clamp communism was Lee Kuan Yew during his tenure as chief minister of Singapore Island. He did it with the least bloodshed, but with intelligence.
And he did it with his good business acumen, which is by turning Singapore into a success story. No Singaporean today would want communism to make a comeback. Neither do any Malaysian of the new domains require communism to be adopted as a way of life.
The new school of thoughts
When there is good business and economic strategies devoid of feudal economic exploitation, no tyranny and political oppressions, a government that is not corrupt, and there is social justice for all its citizens there is no reason why the people must resort to communist ideology as the way forward.
Politics in the country represents the old and young. When the old domains, belonging to the old school of thoughts, talk on race politics and stories of communist days to scare the people it does not reflect well on the nation.
The new domains would ignore this crap as they belong to the new school of thoughts and their wishes are to build a better Malaysia by building bridges among all the races in the country.
It‘s unwise for some leaders and supporters of race-based political parties to bring in the gory stories of the communist or the Japanese days to the people who now belong to the new domains. New Germany does not want to hear about Hitler and the atrocities he committed during his days!
Let history be kept at its rightful abode and read to remind us of the importance of peaceful living. It can be used as a measure for success or failure of a system but not as a political bogey to alarm the people.
Successful rallies
Bersih had three successful rallies in the past and this saw people of all races joining hands seeking fair and free elections in the country. The government-backed media with all its propaganda to divert the rallies from happening failed in their mission.
Politicians who lived through the 13th May incident are today shocked to see the people so united. Despite the presence of huge crowds at all these rallies involving people of all races no “race clash” occurred. This is Malaysia of the new domains.
Evidently there cannot be communist supporters of the 70s – as claimed by a prominent Malay personality employed by a giant Chinese-owned company – involved in the April 28 Bersih rally.
Even if there is any truth in his gesture, “one or two swallows will not make a summer.” The new domains of Malaysians have left the communist ideology behind them just like the people of many other nations have done. Some may have the socialistic tendencies to politics but this cannot be equated with communism. Socialism exists even in some theocratic and European countries.
To divert the Malays
If the intention is to divert the Malay focus from the emergence of new trend of politics – a two-party system – in the country this will only backfire drastically. The new Malays do not see rallies and demonstrations as acts instigated by subversive or communist elements. Nor do they see local rallies being incited by foreign elements. They do it peacefully out of their own conscience.
Today – after almost 70 years of Japanese atrocities in Malaysia – Malaysia’s relationship with Japan has been cordial. Malaysia’s rapport with China is equally affable. China is now not seen as an “exporter” of communist ideology to Malaysia.
China is today Malaysia’s largest trading partner bringing shared prosperity to all Malaysians.
Malaysia will thus not succumb to communist threats as long as there is no feudal economic exploitation, no tyranny and political oppressions, a government that is not corrupt, and there is social justice for all its citizens. There is no reason why Malaysians must resort to communist ideology as the way forward under a fair and efficient government.
A threat to UMNO and Barisan Nasional
There were Chinese, Malays and Indians who subscribed to communist ideology in those days due to poverty and their hate for the British colonialists and the Japanese conquest of Malaya. Many were also forced to support the communist’s agenda for fear of retributions.
But the emergence of a two-party system in the country is not going to bring back communism into our society.
“The emergence of a two-party in the country is of course a threat to UMNO and Barisan Nasional. Obviously it is not a pointer to the emergence of communism or the resurrection of communist ideology in the country,” commented a political observer from a local university.
Malaysia Chronicle
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