Why too much politics is unhealthy

 

Oh my! I think I have an overdose of politics of late. I have been back in Sarawak for almost two months now and that’s a long time of stressful and unnecessary politics (to be honest) – more than enough to last quite a while.

I believe I have written and said enough about the just-concluded Sarawak state election. So, I will refrain from doing so here.

Instead, let’s take a closer look at how we weigh in on the political discussion, whether we have too much of it (as I think I have) and why too much politics is unhealthy to ourselves and the nation’s soul.

A 2012 university survey made a startling finding of the Americans’ news-consumption habits and their thoughts about political and economic events.

The Fairleigh Dickinson University found that those watching the most partisan television news sources - both the left and the right - were often less knowledgeable about world affairs than those who consumed no news at all!

A 2018 data analysis in the journal, Political Opinion Quarterly, published by Oxford University Press for the American Association for Public Opinion Research, revealed that “even strong partisans dislike too much political discussion - even agreeable discussion”.

We can gauge from these findings that engorging more political views will crowd out nearly everything else in other realms; even salient issues like the menacing Covid-19 and the lacklustre economy.

Growing focus on politics

While these are American points and views, they are also starkly true to Malaysia, which has seen three regional elections in the last 18 months - in Sabah, Malacca and Sarawak - and looking now towards national polls in another one-and-a-half-years.

Our growing focus on politics is driving what social scientists call political homophily, which is the tendency for people to seek out or be attracted to those who are similar to themselves, such as having the same interests or similar backgrounds.

This argument would mean, for instance, that parents who are die-hards of a certain party would also want their daughters to marry a man affiliated with that party or political bloc.

There had also been incidents of friends and family members boycotting weddings and reunions just because of differing political ideologies among them.

Even when people agree politically, going on and on about politics harms relationships.

The partisan climate, media polarisation and constant political debates are interfering directly with the fuel of happiness, which is love.

Youth could be the new breeze in politics and decision-making. They are fluent in digital tools and can be a creative force, a dynamic source of innovations.

A lot of young people are feeling gung-ho and so wrapped up in the Jalur Gemilang they just cannot wait to be the game-changers.

Yet, they are almost clueless as to what they are going to do, other than use their social media talents to voice out social issues, human rights, freedom, climate change, education and economics.

How are they going to deal with the politician who switches sides or jumps parties while still healthy and do not suffer from any kind of mental retardation?

These politicians give reasons which make a good story for the media. But they always seem so happy to do it; like, they are doing it deliberately, willingly and, perhaps, knowingly under influence of greed.

Then again, they may be right and competent in their choices.

Definitely, there is something seriously wrong at the root level of society.

Three major blocs

We have three major blocs representing the voters - BN, Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan. Aside from these are the regional alliances, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah and Gabungan Parti Sarawak, plus a hoard of independent parties.

All are eager to absorb the new voters who have reached the age of 18 and are eligible now to vote when the next general polls come around.

In their enthusiasm for the Undi18 Bill, however, the parliamentarians forget the country had never had any long-term programmes for the youngsters about the merits of voting.

Students, perhaps starting with first formers, could learn at that young age, things like government structure, elections and the voting system.

But there was no such strategy prior to tabling the bill in the Dewan Rakyat.

An election is a tiresome thing; it’s not just picking some names - or voluntarily shoving one’s own name - to be candidates.

It’s also about keeping the election machinery oiled; making sure there are ample funds for the banners, posters and pamphlets; and money to spend on organising rallies and ceramah.

And that’s not counting the myriad of responsibilities that the Election Commission has to take care of in preparing the polls.

Still, there are some people impudently pestering the government to hasten the general election; though it is only due by mid-2023. What’s their hurry?

Politics during the infancy days of the nation was about giving a helping hand for the welfare of the rakyat. Today it has turned into a pit for a blame game.

Tag lines like Malaysia Berjaya, Malaysia Baru, Malaysia Bahagia and Keluarga Malaysia are just bland philosophies, like mass-produced pop music.

Democracy is no more “of the people, for the people, by the people”.

The new millennium ideology appears to be “of the party, for the party, by the party.”

Of course, good citizens are attentive and active in the political process.

However, it would do well to put boundaries around the time and emotional energy we devote to politics.

Each of us is convinced we are right - and some of us might well be.

But if we let these views dominate our thoughts, our time, and our conversations, they will harm our relationships and happiness.

Going into the next polls will be rough for all. The election will be brutal and bitter; there’s no way to avoid this.

But we, Malaysians, have to decide whether we want our lives to be brutal and bitter as well. We have a choice. - Mkini

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FRANCIS PAUL SIAH heads the Movement for Change, Sarawak (MoCS) and can be reached at sirsiah@gmail.com

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.