Enough safeguards to prevent comeback of Mahathirian autocracy

Chandra Muzaffar attributes this to democratisation measures promised by Pakatan and the general public's heightened political consciousness since Mahathir's heyday.

PETALING JAYA: Social activist Chandra Muzaffar has expressed confidence that there will be enough safeguards to prevent a comeback of Mahathirian autocracy if the former prime minister assumes the post again in the event of a Pakatan Harapan victory in the 14th general election.

Chandra, the president of the International Movement for a Just World, referred to democratisation measures promised by Pakatan and spoke of the general public’s heightened political consciousness since Mahathir’s heyday.

“Today, as compared with the 1980s and 1990s, people are much more conscious about accountability, transparency, democratic rights and freedom as well as the importance of respecting dissent,” he said.

He noted that Pakatan had declared it would give Parliament power to influence the appointment of persons to head the police, the Election Commission, the Attorney-General’s Office and other important institutions.

“These institutions will be given greater importance and would be strengthened when they become independent and autonomous,” he said. “When you have independent and autonomous institutions, when you give them that ironclad protection, you’re placing a check on the powers of the executive.

“Therefore, it is unlikely that Mahathir will be able to exercise power the way he did in the past.”

Chandra’s comments followed Pakatan’s announcement of its decision to name Mahathir as its PM-designate.

The announcement, made at the opposition alliance’s annual convention last weekend, was met with criticism from both sides of the political divide. For instance, Sangeet Kaur Deo, a DAP member and daughter of its late leader Karpal Singh, condemned the decision as heralding a rebirth of Mahathirism.

Chandra said the term “Mahathirism” was understood in different ways by different people.

“It was coined by analysts some time in the 1990s to describe a tendency towards authoritarianism and a lack of respect for dissent,” he said.

“But on the positive side, people say Mahathirism also means a strong emphasis upon development and economics.”

Historian Khoo Kay Kim told FMT he found it difficult to predict whether or not Mahathir’s return to the prime minister’s office would mean a return of Mahathirism.

“Mahathirism came to fruition because Mahathir is a very intelligent man who made many promises to the people and they believed him,” he said. “There’s no way of knowing whether Mahathirism will make a comeback until it actually happens.” -FMT