The Missing Pivot to Democracy

President Obama’s hallmark foreign policy for this part of the world termed ‘Pivot to Asia’ revolves around the US modeled TPPA -a 21st century comprehensive trade and legally binding investment architecture that is yet to be fully embraced. While it is supposed to define his final term in office, it misses Obama’s main appeal to many Asians, and in particular Malaysian youth – that is of a new global leadership for democratic change.

Malaysians resonated with Obama’s 2008 Presidential win, as we celebrated our own political tsunami just eight months prior, where Pakatan Rakyat denied Barisan Nasional’s traditional two thirds majority in parliament.

It seems that the march towards democracy was about to have an ally in the White House.

By 2011, Malaysians watched full of anticipation and hope, as the sixth Prime Minister Najib Razak delivered his speech on the eve of the Malaysia Day remembrance -promising an increase in political and civil liberties, announcing repeal of the draconian Internal Security Act, and to be followed in the future, with the Sedition Act.

Instead, a new law replaced the ISA, opposition legislators are being charged for ‘sedition,’ meanwhile high level corruption charges are not pursued by the AG’s chambers, and the Opposition Leader, Anwar Ibrahim, is convicted yet again – on sodomy – with a five year sentence hanging over him – proving how political persecution continues, unabated.

Despite the opposition commanding the popular vote during the 13th General Elections last year, the Najib’s Barisan Nasional still manages to hold on power due to a flawed and fraudulent electoral process.

The Electoral Integrity Project (EIP) based in the University of Sydney and Harvard University rated Malaysia nearly at the bottom of the pile, with the 13th General Elections rated at 66th place out of 73 elections studied for democratic integrity.

Clearly, political kleptocracy remains entrenched.

In short, Malaysia has experienced a false dawn and continues to have a democracy deficit in the midst of Obama’s state visit to Malaysia.

After almost fifty years, Malaysia is hosting the President of America. A visit, that critics have said appears to signal an endorsement of a regime that is keeping itself in power by desperate and undemocratic means.

I beg to differ, turning to the ‘Audacity of Hope’ for Malaysia’s democratic aspirations.

Back in 2009, in Cairo University, Obama declared his commitment to governments that reflect the will of the people, which included “all people yearn for certain things: the ability to speak your mind and have a say in how you are governed; confidence in the rule of law and the equal administration of justice; government that is transparent and doesn’t steal from the people; the freedom to live as you choose.”

However, the selective engagement in avoiding meeting Malaysia’s opposition leader has effectively denied the voice of the majority 53 percent who voted for Pakatan Rakyat; yet to be recognised and matched to the aspirations voiced in Cairo.

A pivot to Malaysia needs to address the democracy deficit that is faced by this country. Obama once said in Myanmar whose opposition leader he met; “Reforms launched from the top of society must meet the aspirations of citizens who form its foundation.”

In spite of the ever changing variables or landscape of international politics and the global economy, one constant that must remain is the commitment to principles of democracy that will define a ‘transformational’ and not a ‘transactional’ Leader of the Free World.

If the aspirations of the majority of Malaysians is towards change, is the American administration keeping up with our current momentum and desire for freedom?

Greater democratization including strengthening relevant institutions will allow stakeholders especially the youth to be empowered to work towards solving challenges that we shall inherit together; income inequality, climate change and an increasingly polarised world.

Regardless, Obama must know that we, Malaysians, stand proud of the momentum we started back in 2008; ever determined to finish what we started.

We started the move to embrace multiracialism to end decades old racist rhetoric. We marched on to address economic inequality and with it a revised look at poverty lines including providing alternative and sustainable economic policies. We remain committed towards reforms to realize independent democratic institutions, a cornerstone of any democracy – not restricted to free and fair elections alone.

Obama has said in the presence of our King “(We want) to shape our own destiny, to be able to make a living and to work hard and support a family. And most of all, to leave the next generation something better than what was left to us.”

Young Malaysians will do what we can to avert Bank of America Merrill Lynch’s projection of Malaysia being young and poor come 2030. We want to shape a destiny which is multiracial, based on fairplay and provides equal opportunities for all under the Malaysian sun.

Certainly the American administration knows of our challenges moving forward. The question then remains, will they move in stride with the momentum Malaysians have started since 2008, or simply acknowledge Najib’s pronouncements?

There is still time and hope for a ‘Pivot to Democracy’ in building true partnership between nations.

Nurul Izzah Anwar
Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai
Vice President, People’s Justice Party (KEADILAN)