BORDERLINE CASE MALAYSIA: Can a military coup happen here?

The putsch north of Malaysia in the Kingdom of Thailand is quite startling but not something entirely new for Thais as they are accustomed to these events which take place from time-to-time when the army becomes dissatisfied with governance.

Only this time round its been quite long since the last coup d tat staged by the army that it comes more as a surprise than a shocker.

All over this Buddhist enclave, from Bangkok to Chiang Mai to Yala province in the south the army is out in full force complete with battle fatigues, armoured trucks and tanks watching vigilantly over the nation as the Thai army chief seeks to bring about reconciliation between opposing sides of the political divide.

Does this "between opposing sides of the political divide" phrase sound familiar to us Malaysians?

Just as in Thai politics, Malaysian politics is also divided by Barisan Nasional (BN) on one side and Pakatan Rakyat (PR) on the other side of the political divide.

The feuding political parties in this country have also staged demonstrations and taken part in defiant acts just as their Thai counterparts.

Does this mean that Malaysia is building up to be a restive place like Thailand and the Malaysian army chief will have to intervene with military forces to settle the disputing parties who are locked in battle for the governance of Malaysia?

Will it ever come to such a stage where the Malaysian army has to take control of governance of this country as the two sides of the political divide are ferociously battling each other?

Malaysia is a house divided

There is no denying the fact that Malaysia now is a house divided. The popular vote in the last, or 13th GE, only just went to PR by a narrow margin over their BN rivals.

This certainly means that the battle for the hearts of Malaysians by the two sides of the political divide are about even and it is hard to see either side giving way.

Therefore, there is this pull-and-push factor that is ongoing between the two sides leading to a state of stagnation in this country and there has been little real growth.

By using the term "stagnation," it can be witnessed by the state-of-the-economy, which has evidently come to a standstill or even regressed or contracted despite the BN government's assurances that all is well with the economy.

But by gauging from the "man-in-the-street" factor, the country's economy is most definitely in limbo and the hardship and suffering, the burden carried by the rakyat is beginning to bear heavy on them.

This is why there are growing calls to demonstrate against the rising prices of goods and services and the plan to put in place a Goods & Services Tax.

Malaysians are growing alarmed and worried at the rate and speed at which the prices of essential household items are rising and are growing angrier and angrier by the day and are beginning to vent their criticism and anger against the BN government.

This means it is not just the political divide that are going at each other, NGOs and other organizations are also beginning to take to the streets in growing numbers.

Malaysia as a house divided is being watched and monitored by Polis DiRaja Malaysia (PDRM) or the Royal Malaysian Police. But will it ever come to the stage where the Malaysian army begins to exercise its clout as in Thailand?

The political role of the Malaysian Army

In events involving the governance of the nation, it is really PDRM that is at the forefront of activities. The role of PDRM is clear and unambiguous as it holds on to the traditional role of keeping law and order and ensures peace and harmony in the country.

The Malaysian Army plays a background role and is only called into action such as in the intrusion of Lahad Datu by Suluk gunmen in the state of Sabah. This is when the army and the air force and navy come into the picture to defend the sovereignty of the nation.

Therefore, the role of the army is thought of by many Malaysians to be subdued. The feeling by many Malaysians is that there will never be a time when the Malaysian Army will take over control or governance.

While this belief is easy to follow, there is in any event the likelihood that the army will be called upon by pressing circumstances to resolve any conflict between the people that gets out of hand.

This is also the situation now. The army and PDRM have jointly signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to rely on each other and to work together to preserve law and order in the country.

This translates to mean that while PDRM are at the forefront of maintaining law and order, if needed, the army can be called out of their barracks to ensure law and order as well.

While this effectively means in Thailand a coup, in Malaysia the MOU signed between PDRM and the army means they will jointly take over control of the country in the event of a breakdown of law and order taking place.

Malaysia now a borderline case

As things stand now in this country, Malaysia is on the borderline, and if not careful, there will emerge the full breakdown of law and order by people from political parties, NGOs and other unassuming heroes who want to try and restore peace and harmony.

The fact that the BN government has gravely compromised on the tenets and obligations of democracy has paved the way in this country for a growing number of dissenting voices to raise a hue and cry.

This situation is complicated further and compounded by the fact that the number of people and organizations that are up-in-arms in this country and have an axe to grind with the BN government are growing more and more in numbers.

There appears to be that dark, dire possibility that a total breakdown of law and order and anarchy in this country is justifiably possible and the BN government has to tread cautiously in the coming years to ensure that they begin to comply to fair play, meritocracy and justice to avert disaster.

Civil liberties have to be restored in full. Otherwise Malaysia will sink into being a basket case with such a wide cacophony of dissenters that are rising up against the BN government.

The BN government has to take steps to avert disaster and to ensure that it does not come to that rogue nation state where the PDRM and the Army jointly take control of the nation.

Democracy is at stake. The loss of and the erosion of democratic values over the years of BN's governance of this nation is only beginning to lead this country down the drain.

It is incumbent upon all Malaysians to think carefully and to think wisely, not only in the voting exercise, but in the way and manner they wish to see the country governed.

Only by being in consensus, and acting in unison, can Malaysians avert the dreadful spectre of PDRM and the Army having to take over the reins of power, the ill effects of which will be felt for years and possibly create a vicious cycle of coups such as in Thailand making us also a failed state. - Malaysia Chronicle