In Between The Lines
MASTERWORDSMTIH-UNPLUGGED
While I applaud PM Najib’s courage in announcing Malaysia’s broadest political reforms since independence in 1957 “to accommodate and realise a mature, modern and functioning democracy; to preserve public order, enhance civil liberty and maintain racial harmony”, I cannot help but read between the lines of his promises for political reform. Most sincerely, I hope that our PM will ensure that he will see these new reforms come to pass and not to capitulate when right-wing pressure groups such as UMNO and Perkasa voice their objections.
Undoubtedly, the next GE is imminent as can be seen in the many populist moves taken by the PM such as:
- The repeal of the Internal Security Act (ISA) 1960
- The enactment of two new laws to safeguard peace and order
- The reduction of the detention period which can only be extended by the courts, except in cases involving terrorism.
- The lifting of three remaining emergency proclamations – Emergency 1969, Emergency 1966 (Sarawak) and Emergency 1977 (Kelantan).
- The repeal of the Banishment Act 1959
- The replacement of the annual licence renewal requirement for newspapers and publications by a one-off permit by reviewing the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984.
- The review of the Restricted Residence Act 1933.
- The move to allow greater freedom to assemble by reviewing Section 27 of the Police Act 1967 taking into consideration Article 10 of the Federal Constitution which guarantees every citizen with the right to freedom of speech and assembly
Note that the above changes would have to be tabled in Parliament.
Earlier, the PM had also announced (despite our RM362billion debt) :
- Bonus payments for civil servants despite our deficit
- A cash payout for farmers
- Affordable housing for low-income earners
- and other favourable statements to hike his popularity ratings.
Consider the context of such ‘positive’ developments and then read between the lines before we celebrate. It is immature and foolhardy of Pakatan leaders to “have taken credit for Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s decision to repeal the Internal Security Act 1960 (ISA) as well as several law reforms, saying the prime minister’s move was a direct rip-off from their Buku Jingga plans” (read this report). I am not saying their Buku Jingga is not a good idea but even without its existence, any sharp political strategist would have known what to do in the light of the existing political landscape whereby the status quo is losing support and popularity because of the rakyat’s outrage over:
- the removal of subsidies leading to the rising cost of living
- the announcement that the GST is likely to be introduced after the next GE
- the slow pace of political and electoral reforms, especially after Bersih 2.0
- Bersih 2.0
- the widening religious discontent starting from the ‘Allah’ controversy, the cow-head episodes, church burning, DUMC incident
- debate over what is or what is NOT historical facts
- corruption issues
- the PKFZ scandal
- the TBH case and Ahmad Sarbani
- death in custody issues/cases including Kugan’s death and many others
- the recent Air Asia-MAS swap deal, imposition of new charges etc
- the ETP issues
- many $$$ issues that have dented the image of the government including the Scorpene submarines, RM 6billion patrol boats, 100 storey Warisan Merdeka, Save Malaysia Stop Lynas issue, Ng Yen Yen’s RM1.8 million social media campaign or her RM3.25 million expenditure on overseas trips
- and many other reports which have outraged the rakyat
The recent development is a successful ploy to deflect the rakyat’s focus on real issues that concern each and every one of us. And the Opposition leaders are being led by their noses to follow the red herring trail thrown in their path!
One must question:
1. Could the new laws that will replace the Internal Security Act be used against political targets in the same way as how the ISA was used previously?
2. If indeed Malaysia practises democracy and upholds freedom of the press/expression/assembly and all the pillars of democracy, there should not be the need for a media license in the first place. Read this excellent discussion.
3. Bear in mind that one of the government’s most powerful tools is the sedition laws which has been used to silence critics as it “criminalises speech with “seditious tendency”, including that which would “bring into hatred or contempt or to excite disaffection against” the government or engender “feelings of ill-will and hostility between different races” (Source: Wikipedia).
In this post, I discussed Mat Sabu’s sleight of hand to deflect interest in the DUMC and Sodomy issues by throwing a red herring in BN’s path.
Subsequently, the whole nation went on a warpath to debate historical issues. I had never seen such an outburst of ‘historical knowledge and yours truly also joined the bandwagon HERE, Malaysia – Part 1, Malaysia – Part 2 and Malaysia – Part 3.
And then the announcement last night. Perfect timing! Currently, our PM Najib has the option of holding snap polls to cut his losses or to delay elections to give him time to gain ground for a bigger win.
