I’m writing this piece just hours after the results of the Hulu Selangor by-election had just been announced. In the coming days, we will be seeing more commentaries in the blogosphere and the mainstream media on why BN won and its implications on Malaysian politics. I’ll leave this part to more knowledgeable heads than mine to sort it out. What I want to do here is to offer some observations on the run-up to and on the day of the by-election in terms of the trends which I believe is a precursor to the next general elections.
Let’s start with the good first. The high voter turnout in the Hulu Selangor by-election indicates that Malaysians are conscientious of their civic duty as citizens of a democratic country. More importantly, the participation of younger people in the run up to the by-election canvassing for votes is an encouraging sign. Also, the access to news on the Hulu Selangor by-election was not restricted to mainstream media where one can go to the web to find alternative sources of news demonstrated that the ruling party’s stranglehold on access to news have been broken. All these developments point toward the gains made in the last General Elections towards a more democratic political system are here to stay.
As for the bad, we are still mired within a communal political outlook. For example, race features prominently in the choice of the candidate that will contest in the by-elections. This was clearly seen on the BN side with the MIC-UMNO squabble on whose candidate should be the one contesting for the Hulu Selangor Parliamentary seat and there were the usual racial rhetoric in the run up to the by-election. We still observed the usual pork-barrel politics in action (and this time by both coalitions, i.e. BN and PR). And then, there were stories of irregularities during the voting process … all familiar stories in any election in the country.
Finally, the ugly. The amount of venom spewed by both sides on the perceived failings of both candidates could have poisoned the entire population of Hulu Selangor. What I find disturbing is the move away (and again by both parties) during the campaign from principles and issues to attack the candidates personally in all (mainstream and otherwise) the media. I fear that this will become the norm in the next General Elections.
In looking at the bad and the ugly, there is no denying that our electoral system requires urgent reforms in order to make the system work for us rather than for the benefit of a select few. In the next coming General Elections, we – the voters – must send out a strong message that we will only support the coalition that will overhaul the electoral system to make it more accountable to the people together with a level playing field for all parties involved.
We need to reject racial cat calling and personal attacks in favour of principles and issues as the pre-condition for giving even the time of day for party workers and candidates canvassing for votes. Let alone for giving them our votes.
I want to end here by saying that we should not be disheartened by the negative developments that have taken place in this by-election. The last General Elections have proven that citizens can make a difference and the old rules of politics can no longer be taken for granted. The emergence of the alternative media, the growing political awareness and participation of the previously apolitical younger generation, to name but a few, are surely signs that the nation is heading towards a working democracy that we can all be proud of. However, for that to happen, we need to play our part in supporting the call for electoral reforms and insisting that parties staked out their political principles and issues rather than just dishing our more electoral goodies and personal attacks as the means to capture electoral support.
The Micah Mandate is a Christian-based public interest advocacy ministry that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility.
April 28th, 2010 at 3:44 pm
In politics it is impossible to isolate policies from the personalities behind them.
The suggestion that politicians focus on policies rather than personal attacks has credit. But one also needs to know that there is nothing wrong in personal attacks if you like to call it that if what is said is true, relevant, material and necessary to the topic.
It is not only what is said but how it is said that matters.
If someone is dishonest and there is proof, by all means we should expose the crime. We should not be judgmental. Let the person be judged by his deed or misdeed.In Paul’s time there were malicious leaders and John himself had to call attention to Diotrephes who loves to be first and he had to criticise him and call attention to this misdeeds.
But Christians are to avoid malicious gossip, slander, and defamation of character and tell lies about someone merely to bring down his reputation in the eyes of the public. Or should a Christian get involved in dirty politics and unethical methods.
Any serious Christian in politics must learn from the example of Jesus.
He made a personal attack on the Pharisees and called them ‘whitewashed tombs’ – not a very nice thing to say about someone but taken in the context of the gravity of their crimes and the truth of his attack, it is entirely justifiable.
Jesus used colourful imagery to denote the dark nature of the hypocrites who were really servants of the devil in hijacking the souls of men and women and keeping them in darkness and bondage.
In essence he was attacking the power behind the people – the devil himself. Eg when he rebuked Peter with strong words, “Get thee behind…” after the latter tried to prevent him going to Calvary.
Calling a corrupt politician a thief and robber if there is proof is okay because it is the truth and it is not done in malice but in giving weight to the severity of his crime against the people and state. By their exposure we disqualify them from committing further crimes. Open rebuke is better than love concealed balances the teaching for Christians to be loving..but love is not blind or mum over wrongs perpetrated against others.
If we don’t speak out when we should we risk offending God. You only need to read the Old Testament and Revelation to know that God holds those accountable who do not correct sin…you don’t have to be a politician to make a political statement based on a moral principle.
That is why I write letters to newspapers to represent a more biblical position or purview and hopefully it will stay on record in perpuity.
That is why not everyone can get involved in the rough and tumble world of politics…but more Christians should be politically active though ultimately the focus of every Christian is to be a witness to the truth of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to maintain an upright and godly testimony.
Winning the game is important but winning God’s game is the ultimate victory.
For the Christian – character and reputation are important and he or she can make society a better place with better politics and policies backed up by a righteous life.
“Wise as serpents innocent as doves,” should be the guiding principle.
Thanks for your eyewitness account of the by-election Christopher and I agree with your optimism and call for Christian activism. When God is in control nothing is out of control.