Is there hope for change in Malaysia?

The two recent by-elections at Bukit Glugor (BG) and Teluk Intan (TI) have left a lasting impression on Malaysian politics. Our social media won our hearts by bringing the news as it happened while the usual boring official media was selective and sometimes very stingy with truths.

BG was a no contest because DAP’s strength was simply formidable. No other party even dared to put up a challenger for fear of facing the humiliation of losing their deposits. The few so called independent candidates, whose indirect links with BN political parties, in terms of what they stood for, also suffered colossal defeats. In Malaysia when we see PDRM playing a passive role in any event where the law is broken, we always suspect the link to some indirect BN approved projects or trouble makers’ involvements. In BG too we saw some of these displays. In football, you cannot score a goal from indirect free kick unless another player touches the ball. So all these indirect BN lost badly. If BN had contested, just imagine the kind of reception some of our Federal government leaders would have gotten during campaigning.

The two recent by-elections were exhibitions to show the good, the bad and the ugly side of Malaysia. Though we boast a literacy rate of 93% and hope to be grouped among the developed nations by 2020, things are failing and falling apart at every sector of nation building and development, election included. From missing plane to kidnapping and border intrusions to sub standard high cost development and even inter racial and religious harmony. We seem to be failing everywhere.

The only good is the fact that general elections and by-elections are held according to the set time table and needs. We have had 13 GEs and numerous by-elections. In a school examination the progress in many subjects are shown, elections too, give people a chance to grade the candidates and the party’s track record for everything in the country. The important ones are policies, economy, education, infra-structure, race relations, freedom, security and other achievements. From the last GE13, we know that 52% Malaysians are not satisfied with the present Federal government.

The bad about the elections in Malaysia are too many to list down. Just fresh in our memories are those that happened at BG and TI.

BG was a no contest because the independent candidates with limited resources were facing a formidable DAP force. DAP and its leaders’, including the late Karpal Singh’s, track record of sacrifice and working for the good of all, are known to all those who follow politics in Malaysia. When the leaders of the grouping PR made up of PAS, DAP and PKR became inmates under ISA, it established a common cause they all shared. They are a Malaysian football team with players of different levels of skills but with one goal to save Malaysia. Every disagreement among the parties shows independent thinking and a way to voice differing opinions and objections of some communities. Every solution is a give and take for the good and well-being of all Malaysians. This is the main deficiency of BN where Umno decides and all other component parties murmur and toe the line, with insults as added value to emphasize Umno supremacy.

In the TI by-election, this Umno supremacy was clearly evident. Choosing a candidate with a track record of two defeats and that too as a deputy Minister is something to ponder about. In real life such examples are rare because the good and successful qualities of people are always appreciated while the failures are like ‘once bitten twice shy and third time never try’. In life good work is always rewarded while bad work is seldom forgiven. For example, my transfer as a teacher from Sg. Pelek was stopped twice. BN parties in Sepang district petitioned the Education Ministry to keep me there because I was doing good work for the rural children. The late Mr. Lee Sok Yew, the deputy education Minister personally told me.

Reluctantly I had to serve there for a decade, before I used my UTS rights to get a post in another government school in KL. A few headmasters from KL contracted me when they heard news about my intending transfer. They were eager to take me. In fact my headmaster Mr. My commented that the then director of Education, who later became the Governor of a state, told him that if there were a few teachers like me in any school, that school would be the top school in the country. I may be sounding very boastful but these are the facts of my life which I will be taking to my grave one day. Take our Malaysian owned Cardiff football club for example. After being promoted to premier division the club was not doing very well. The manager was sacked. Doesn’t it show responsibility, accountability, efficiency and a desire to earn ‘halal’ living will go a long way to gain the respect which money cannot buy?

So why did BN recycle the twice failure once again. What does it speak about the type of service TI got when their Gerakan MP was deputy Minister? I leave it to the readers to analyse. Let us hope that he will prove to be a better leader than before and at least speak out and not murmur about the injustices and corruption in the country. By the way he allowed Umno leaders to hijack his noble intention to have a clean election, makes me doubt about many things. He allowed or was silent about the way some dirty tactics seen during our elections. Some examples are fake ‘bikini’ photos that were distributed, promises were made, hampers were given and other incentives were offered, conditioned on a BN victory. I hope for the sake of TI, I am wrong.

The ugly part of Malaysian elections are also too many to write about. In my opinion the three ugliest things about the TI election are: (1). the huge billboard with Dayana’s picture had the word ‘Babi’ written on it. The billboard being high, someone used a ladder to climb up to do that cowardly act. (2). A non-voting dignitary who wore a BN logo shirt and went into the polling station. It is most disgusting to see a politician, who should be an example to society, breaking the law openly like a common criminal. With two experiences as a ‘presiding officer’ during elections in Malaysia, I am simply shocked by this display of lawlessness at a place where there are many posters warning people about the codes and conduct at a polling station. Let us wait and see our PDRM’s performance in investigating the above two matters. Please do not allow the name of PDRM to be buried in the gutter. (3) The total number of votes mentioned at the beginning of the count was less than the revised final total at the end of the count. No explanation except foul play can satisfy me.

In Malaysia we have beautiful and effective laws, which if implemented fairly, ours will be the best democracy in the world. Sadly, our PDRM and EC are deaf and blind when BN breaks the laws but overzealous when PR does anything wrong. If there is one serious enforcement of the law, everything will improve out of fear. India’s EC did it when PM Indira Gandhi lost the election for using a government vehicle during campaigning. Today the Indian EC is highly respected in the world.

An election is more a popularity contest involving people, ideals and love for the nation. On the eve of TI by-election, it was reported with pictures showing BN gathering with empty chairs because only 70 people were present, while PR gathering had 10,000 people. Yet BN can still win, it beats all logic.

I feel sad for Dayana and I hope and pray Allah will give her the courage to continue this crusade to bring change to Malaysia.

In the field in Sg. Besi Military camp, there is a huge stone with the Sportsman’s Prayer written on it. I hope it gives some consolation to Dayana. -Harakahdaily