Malaysia needs a new paradigm

I am not saying the opposition and the right-minded NGOs have not done enough to try to stop the Election Commission’s new boundary proposals from being tabled and eventually passed in the Dewan Rakyat.

I am saying the opposition ought to know that the new boundary proposals are a fait accompli. To assume otherwise is wishful and non-strategic thinking.

Did we seriously think the government would withdraw or amend the Election Commission’s proposals? Can we imagine what would happen to the government if it succumbed to the protests?

Can we imagine what would happen in terms of boosting confidence and galvanising support from among its followers?

It takes a while for us to realise that to win an election, it is not just “majority votes” but “rural votes” too. Now the government has upped the ante of rural votes a notch higher.

It is quite common for many governments around the globe to continue to exist without a popular mandate from the people. Incumbent power, positions and state apparatuses are quite sufficient to sustain them.

It is natural for many to cry abuse of power, non-level playing fields and double standards. But these are “explanations” of our predicaments today; they can’t solve our problems.

The rules of the game have changed and we can’t expect those who abused and changed the rules to relent or repent anytime soon.

While the opposition must continue to fight every inch of the way, it is a game the rules of which are stacked against them. It is a game they can hardly win.

To win, the opposition and the people need a new paradigm. I do not know what this new paradigm is but I just know that we need one urgently.

Most of us “look to” next general election simply because there is nothing much we could do to correct or reprimand the government in between elections.

So we look to next election to change it. But then who says democracy is just about election every five or four years? What has happened to all principles and institutions of democracy, of check and balance and of separation of power, of freedom of speech and movement etc?

Surely this is something for us to think about. The reality is we are in denial. We look to next election because we are powerless and helpless in doing anything now.

But then, even the next election may now be rendered ineffective too. Hence we need a new paradigm. Please don’t ask me what it is. It is not easy, but I think smarter people should be able to figure it out. -Mkini