How political cults have shaped Malaysia

 

The recent “Bossku” rave in many parts of the country has left many people dumbfounded and baffled by the rapturous reception that former prime minister Najib Razak has been receiving.

Whether the crowds that greeted him on his walkabouts were paid or not, the fact that many had no qualms to be openly seen wearing “Bossku” T-shirts and taking selfies with Najib speaks volumes of where our politics is headed.

There must be some people who think Najib is indeed innocent of the criminal charges on which he was convicted; others could be there for the benefits, monetary or otherwise. There could be some who admire him for rising above the murky morass in which he had landed. One needs intelligence and gumption to manoeuvre out of such a mess.

All this is taking place at a time when the Goldman Sachs-1MDB trial in the United States is going full steam ahead with much incriminating evidence being exposed, while some of those involved directly or indirectly in the defrauding of a nation seem to be enjoying their freedom in different parts of the world.

Bossku was cheered and feted in Penang last week in a manner befitting a celebrity. On social media, however, even the sanest of Malaysians are not laughing any more. They are expressing shock with some worrying for the future of the country.

But Malaysians have been in the clutches of cult-like adoration of political leaders since the time Dr Mahathir Mohamad first became prime minister in 1981. He seems to have consciously made his name synonymous with that of Malaysia, with state apparatus used shamelessly to project this image.

Many key institutions that were fiercely independent before he took over suddenly became meek and subservient to a leader with an iron fist.

Other political leaders also developed a cult-like following, by design or otherwise, of people drawn to them the same way as followers of certain spiritual gurus, and willing to be at their beck and call.

Lim Kit Siang held the DAP in this manner for decades, while Anwar Ibrahim’s “cult powers” saw him go through prison, political persecution and treachery by those whom he had groomed. Yet, he had the charm to still remain relevant in PKR and national politics with a huge following.

It’s his personality and some strange “powers” that have allowed him to continue to hold court despite having gone through so much humiliation. Some described his experience as going through hell, but his following never wavered.

In the MIC, no one could have held the party with an iron fist as Samy Vellu did for three decades until he was forced to go. It was amazing, and mindboggling, to see the leaders at all levels virtually prostrating before him. Having covered him as a journalist during his heyday, I witnessed this many times.

PAS leaders also indulge in this kind of political cultism, using religious arguments to scare God-fearing Malaysians into submission. The party’s leader, Abdul Hadi Awang, makes pronouncements that are taken as religious edicts by many of their supporters.

It must have been easier for these leaders to have such a solid hold on the masses in the days before social media, and especially with a compliant mass media which were directly or indirectly owned by these politicians.

But the advent of social media has changed the game to a great extent. It’s even easier now to develop a following. Many political leaders and some religious preachers and influencers have taken this path to enhance their cult-like image. “Bossku” is one clear example of extremely intelligent use of social media.

It is strange that not many will pay attention to politicians who have no baggage, due to their inability to manipulate social media, or their lack of cash for that push.

There are many such leaders out there who could better manage the nation’s affairs. It’s a pity they are not in the mainstream of politics. It’s our loss.

According to researchers and therapists, cult leaders have narcissistic personalities that drive them to preach and convince others to follow.

Only a few are endowed with such powers, usually those with a desire for power and who often take ideas from politics, religion and psychology to sway the crowds into fanatical faith and belief.

Today, this manipulation needs huge reserves of cash to win over even the strongest of critics.

Until and unless Malaysians wake up and break away from the politics of cults and start looking at the harsh realities facing the nation, things can only get worse. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not reflect those of MMKtT.