GE15: Battle between extremism and flawed democracy

“The fascist utopia, like that of the communists, was false, and generated immense suffering. But there were those who dreamed it sincerely.”

- Norman Davies, “Europe: A History”

Well yes, all democracies are flawed but that is not the point. All over the world, there are people living in flawed democracies that are far better than those withering away under theocratic rule.

GE15 will determine if we remain a flawed democracy or if we are truly on the path to theocratic statehood.

P Gunasegaram got it right when he wrote, “There are too many imponderables at play right now“, but what is vitally important right now is to remember that the religious extremists in this country are in a far better position, because of the squabbling in the Malay political establishment.

The deep Islamic state comprising fellow travellers is busy creating and inciting mischief on behalf of political operatives eager to maintain hegemony in a political landscape, which has necessitated frantic coalition building between treacherous parties. This is why Pakatan Harapan should go at it alone.

A section of the electorate thinks that PAS is a joke, even though the party has not only made headway through corrupt strategies to acquire power in certain states but also, more importantly, was enabled by mainstream Malay parties to do this.

Everyone talks about the youth vote going to the progressive forces in this country, but in recent elections, they have proven unreliable or going towards parties like Bersatu and by extension Perikatan Nasional (PN), rather than being the manna from heaven for Harapan.

And Umno still won. This is why religious extremists want to get rid of the so-called court cluster. So, really for the establishment voter, it is a choice between corruption and religious extremism.

PAS apparatchiks tell me that they continue to believe that the various religious education establishments and initiatives by state religious authorities – even those not in PAS-controlled states – have nurtured a generation of young people who believe Islam and those aligned with the religion can lead this country into a true Islamic state.

PAS is desperately attempting to hook up with Umno because, if they do and the Malay uber alles coalition is made up of Umno, Bersatu and PAS, this would be a dream come true for the Islamic deep state.

There would not be any need for sub rosa strategies, only the clear-eyed agenda to wipe out any kind of secular elements in this country.

One of the reasons why I always quote Zakir Naik is because he is upfront in his religious beliefs: that it is incumbent on Muslims to vote for Muslim leaders regardless of their lack of integrity because Muslim unity trumps anything else.

Meanwhile, PAS and Abdul Hadi Awang, after failing with Muafakat Nasional, have begun their propaganda campaign, whereby they simultaneously claim that Umno is a corrupt partner and, at the same time, claim that they are in negotiation with Umno.

PAS also taunts the gains they have made from the Muslim polity when in government with Umno. And you know what? There are many people who buy this line of reasoning.

Ketuanan politics

The real issue of the Umno-PAS union is not a war against non-Malays, but rather a war in the Malay community.

The difference between Harapan and the Umno-PAS union is that the former has reconciled with the reality that the political landscape has changed while the latter is still invested in the idea that one party should represent the Malay polity.

Bersatu cries betrayal and treachery but conveniently forgets that PN is a child which was sired by betrayal and treachery and Bersatu is the hubris of Dr Mahathir Mohamad in his efforts to destroy Umno.

Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad

The one good thing about the turmoil in the Malay political establishment is that they have finally rid themselves of the old maverick.

Despite what Harapan partisans think, there are a host of younger Umno members who believe in race and religion, but not at the expense of turning this country into a theocratic state where everyone suffers.

When it comes to ketuanan politics, maybe a good voting chunk of the majority do not want to give up their ketuanan status but do not want a theocratic state either.

Nobody wants to give up their special privileges, especially when those privileges sustain families and communities through the vagaries of a changing economic and geopolitical landscape.

And younger Umno grassroots-level activists understand the class conflict that has been percolating in the streets of urban centres and in the rural heartland - which Umno believes is its vote bank.

With possible three-cornered fights among the Malay uber alles crowd - if some folks do not fold that is - the possibility that there is going to be another round of frog jumping and weak state governments could be the new normal in Malaysian politics.

Believing that the judiciary is some sort of totem against religious extremism and even corruption, for that matter, is delusional.

What is a safeguard against any kind of fascism is an electorate which believes that democracy, although flawed, is the best form of governance.

This election, but more importantly voter turnout, will answer this question.

Elections have consequences and Harapan has to get the base out.

If not, whatever creature that emerges from the fall of Najib Abdul Razak would be far worse than a kleptocratic regime.

This remains the state of play. - Mkini

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S THAYAPARAN is Commander (Rtd) of the Royal Malaysian Navy. Fīat jūstitia ruat cælum - “Let justice be done though the heavens fall.”

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