Malaysia is far from a mature democracy
The political temperature in Malaysia has been turned up so high that rational behaviour is giving way to thuggish behaviour; that open discourse is being hijacked by those who believe that the best way to counter a differing opinion is to silence the messenger, permanently.
THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER
The warning signs are all around us. One of our politicians is going to get beaten to pulp soon. And when it does happen, all of us will be culpable.
Why? Because the political temperature in Malaysia has been turned up so high that rational behaviour is giving way to thuggish behaviour; that open discourse is being hijacked by those who believe that the best way to counter a differing opinion is to silence the messenger, permanently.
And yet, we view this as a spectator sport, something to laugh at and make light of.
Is it any surprise that some misguided Umno members went after DAP’s Karpal Singh on Parliament grounds today?
It was bound to happen, judging by the careless and incendiary rhetoric employed by politicians on both sides of the divide. For nearly 365 days, the country has been on a roller coaster of political, racial and religious polarisation. And Karpal has been moving around with a bulls-eye on his back.
He has been the target of hate and bile since General Election 2008 gave the Opposition a louder voice in Malaysia. He has been accused of disrespecting the Malay Rulers, of disrespecting Malay rights and of challenging a proclamation that Malaysia is an Islamic country.
In April last year, someone posted a threat on a website, saying that it was permissible under Islam to kill Karpal because he opposed Malaysia being turned into an Islamic state. More recently nearly 100 police reports have been filed against him for allegedly making seditious remarks against the Malay Rulers, in the wake of the political crisis in Perak.
In Umno circles, he is public enemy Number 1.
Not a day has gone by without some party official or Utusan Malaysia painting him as anti-Malay, anti-Umno, anti-monarchy. Karpal has aided and abetted his accusers by loose talk and his confrontational stance.
Yes, he was upset at the death threat and the two bullets sent to his home in Penang. But it was wholly irresponsible for him to have accused ruling party politicians of sending the bullets.
His statement in Parliament yesterday was designed to bait Umno members into a confrontation. All he succeeded in doing was activate a group of party officials spoiling for a fight.
Karpal escaped unscathed in his skirmish with the 20 men from Selangor Umno Youth. He was lucky because it could have ended badly. A chair could have been flung at him, a baseball bat could have been swung at him or worse yet, a knife could have been thrust at him.
If not for the intervention of four Opposition MPs, Karpal may not have made it back to the House.
If anything, this incident confirms what many of us have suspected: Malaysia is far from a mature democracy where rough words can be tossed at each with impunity and politicians and their supporters can walk away from a bruising encounter mumbling to themselves, “stick and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt.’’
Someday, Malaysians may be able to agree to disagree on a whole range of issues.
Until that day comes, every effort must be made to discourage Malaysians from taking things into their own hands.
That vigilantism in the name of a political party, race or religion will not be tolerated.
Forget about Karpal Singh. Today’s incident goes far beyond any individual.
It is about nurturing respect for the rule of law and a democratic system of government.
