We look on helplessly because we let politics be a spectator sport

 

Soon enough they are going to announce the new leader of the government and many will be unhappy - if not outright disgusted - by the choice.

People asked me who I expect and I said a right-wing Malay male from a racist party. Because that’s all I have ever known. Which individual fella it turns out to be is probably going to be a variation on the ‘ketuanan’ theme.

Just imagine - 64 years of Merdeka and we have only ever had racial parties holding the top post and there is every sign that we will continue to do so.

Even Zionist Israel has never been as insecure as our heartland that returns parties such as Umno and PAS.

While many friends were placing their hope in the Pakatan Harapan coalition and the eternal bridesmaid Anwar Ibrahim, I knew in the pit of my stomach that the MPs and our political elites would stay true to type - for it looks like that all we are seeing is another game of musical chairs.

And soon, we will watch someone of the same sort of ilk take the helm of the nation from the inept leader who just left the seat vacant. The sort of person who will embarrass us at international conferences because at heart they are just ‘jaguh kampung’ (village champions) without the intellect and wisdom to do much.

So, who is to blame for this sad state of affairs? Aside from an old man who set the wheels for the current chaos in motion by quitting instead of handing over power as promised?

The answer is that it’s you and me, my friend.

This should be a participatory and representative democracy and the onus is on us to get involved, not sit on our hands and shoot out witty memes and fiery opinions on social media.

I am flooded with messages from fellow Malaysians (particular minorities) telling me how disappointed and frustrated they are and how they want to give up on the country, but most of the time when I ask – what did you actually do to improve the country and its political system in particular? - the answer is a resounding silence.

Were you at Bersih or Reformasi protests? Did you speak up about injustice? Did you join a political party? Did you even vote?

You’ll be amazed at the cowardly excuses I’ve heard. “No point voting in areas the opposition will win easily”, “cannot protest - I have anxiety, my boss won’t like it, my skin peels in the sun”, “it’s not my job to create political change,” and the like.

The thing is - there are many who love to complain but expect hard work and sacrifices to come from others.

As far I’m concerned - if you aren’t part of the solution, you are part of the problem. If you’re sitting there trying to remain detached from a state where there is blatant harassment of activists and media and opposition politicians, then you are already complicit.

One or two were stung by my comments and said why bother? What is it going to change?

In fact, they even criticised the recent Lawan rally and the 13-day relay hunger strike by activists Nathaniel Tan, Gurpreet Singh and Teoh Jia Chern.

To me, I’m proud of such Malaysians who love our country enough to brave harassment and ridicule to take a stand against the awful Covid-19 mismanagement by the Muhyiddin Yassin government.

No change without struggle

To those naysayers, I have to ask - how do you think slavery was ended? Or brutal military regimes and communist dictatorships? Because people were willing to die for freedom - and yet, you can’t risk a little of discomfort to push for change?

No, I’m not saying we are suffering the kind of repression as in the above examples. And that’s the tragedy of our situation. Unlike others, we still have some freedom - better learn to speak out boldly before it’s too late.

And not just through protests but real political involvement. Malaysia is full of intelligent and progressive people and yet most steer clear of politics and let opportunists, bigots and idiots lead us instead. It is any wonder we are in this awful downward spiral?

The truth is we are poorly educated in governance, democracy and ideology. We were raised to be subservient and many still haven’t figured out to analyse events and trends, let alone challenge injustice.

That’s probably why we get a lot of contrarians who think they are spouting words of philosophical depth when they say “I don’t trust both sides or I hate politicians”.

It’s really a reflection of your own impotence and inaction. Some of the same people think that thoughts and prayers alone will make a difference. Like it has been among some of us in the battle against Covid-19. Oh, wait…

Let’s not forget that the mandate of the people at the last election was not an overwhelming one.

Despite the evident thievery of the outgoing prime minister, his party scored the largest number of seats - which tells you something about those who backed him.

The Pakatan Harapan government taught us a lesson - if we want real change, even an election victory is not enough. Change is needed at so many levels - from the highest echelon of politics to the police, teachers and yes, journalists.

It doesn’t end with an electoral win, it begins there. If ever there’s another chance, there needs to be targeted reforms and progress, otherwise it will get us to what we are witnessing now - life as usual. - Mkini

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MARTIN VENGADESAN is associate editor at Malaysiakini.