Perhaps great hopes were meant to be dashed. Anwar promised the Pakatan Rakyat would take over the government on September 16, 2008. The droves of BN MPs crossing over to PR never materialized. Ironically, one of the MPs who did cross over, went right back to BN and UMNO's arms not 2 days later. This sparked the meltdown of political authority in Perak and the loss of a PR-ruled state to the BN, courtesy of the sultan.
My opinion is that the royalty is overrated. While I agree that the Malay sultans are needed to preserve part of our culture, I cannot agree with them being treated as gods. Why should we agree with a sultan's rulings just because he is the sultan? Such a shame that of all the royal houses, the Sultan Perak's family was the one to let us down. They had been the most respected, the current Sultan a former Lord Justice, and the Raja Muda an intelligent and thoughtful person. A far cry from the gangsters in the Johor royal house, for instance. Yet, Sultan Azlan decided to grant power to UMNO/BN instead of the people. The matter continues to play out in the courts but until and unless the people of Perak have their say at the ballot, whatever government they have lacks authority.
The DAP-ruled Penang government seems to be the most stable, at this juncture. Lim Guan Eng has been praised for flying in economy class instead of first or business, and criticized for failing to get his MPs to declare their assets. A friend working with many of the new leadership laments that things are no better than in the days of BN rule. Once PR came into power, they got busy doling out positions to "their people". Different faces, but things were still the same. My mother remains a "government servant" in name, and is very much looking forward to the end of her contract. Perhaps her current bosses are somewhat comforted by the fact that she served under Lim Chong Eu back in the day. The man credited for building Penang into a major manufacturing hub was a former DAP supremo himself, and now counsels the current Chief Minister on the down low. And if it weren't for the federal government sabotaging the state, withholding funds and blowing off requests from the state, Penang could see major improvements in infrastructure and public transportation. It's frustrating seeing Penang's potential stunted by UMNO/BN's self-interests.
This past year has seen blatant displays of UMNO/BN's power hungry maneuverings. As a result, Malaysian politics has sunk to despicable depths. Perak aside, UMNO targeted Selangor. Elizabeth Wong was forced to resign as MP over some very private photos. Why have we not heard more about the perpetrator, her ex-boyfriend? Selangor's Menteri Besar was pronounced guilty by the "independent" MACC (new anti-corruption outfit) after a brief investigation. Anwar's legal problems continue. For every judge that is willing to be impartial, there are more who let themselves be the tool of the status quo. The IGP and former Attorney General were cleared of any wrongdoing when Anwar was beaten up 11 years ago. Apparently, assault is only worth 2 months in jail for the actual perpetrator. We are to believe everyone else is innocent, which led to Dr Mahathir making the innocent suggestion that Anwar beat himself up to garner sympathy.
Systemic failures in the country are also more obvious now. Anwar was beaten up during police questioning. A robbery suspect, A. Kugan, died from repeated beatings while in police custody. Those are just 2 cases. Raja Petra was jailed under ISA and told by prison guards that they could not guarantee his safety; those who wanted to keep him quiet over the Altantuya case might quiet him for good. So do we trust the police to keep us safe? Hell no.
One police chief is no fan of democracy. He called it "demo crazy" instead. That was following the incident where hundreds of people turned up in support of Gapena's push to preserve the teaching of math and science in Malay. I am no supporter of this movement but I can appreciate their purpose of upholding Malay as the national language. I don't believe, however, that making up Malay terms to fit the advancing terminology in math and science will be of benefit to students beyond sekolah menengah. That aside, the police accused PAS and PKR leaders of "politicizing" the situation and thus justified spraying the crowd with chemical-laced water. It was very disheartening to see our 70-something Sasterawan Negara (National Laureate) A. Samad Said, already looking frail and ancient, trying to get the sting out of his eyes. Where were the water cannons when UMNO Penang marched to Karpal Singh's house to accuse him of treason against the Sultan Perak?
The inanity continues. Ambiga Sreevanesan was awarded the International Women of Courage award by Hilary Clinton and Michele Obama for her work fighting for justice and religious and gender equality in Malaysia. Here is our government's response:
"Malaysian women are now recognised in the international arena for taking a firm stand on national issues such as judicial independence, gender equality and good governance, said Wanita MCA chief Datin Paduka Chew Mei Fun."
(Star Online, March 12, 2009)
Does Madam Chew not realize she is part of the system that perpetuates judicial non-independence, gender inequality, and bad governance?
Here's another gem.
"Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has rubbished Universiti Malaya’s findings of a recent survey on the public’s choice for the Umno deputy president’s post.
“I also went to university. I can concoct a study to show whether I’m winning or losing,” he said, adding that academics had never before put forward their political views and expected the public to believe them."
(Star Online, March 12, 2009)Our learned Minister of International Trade has told the world what Malaysians already know: that our universities aren't worth a damn. Anyone can attend a Malaysian university and "concoct" studies to prove any theory. Research and statistics can be manipulated. What university did this man go to? UMNO's University of Good Governance? Another study by the Merdeka Center suggests he is 40 percentage points ahead of his closest rival. Was that study concocted too?
March promises more excitement and despair. The military officers accused of Altantuya's murder will hear the court's ruling while Najib "I-never-met-her (Altantuya)"becomes the Prime Minister. The campaigns for the 3 by-elections will begin. Will the phantom voters return with full force when Abdullah Badawi is gone? We shall see.
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