Critics of ‘Kajang move’ fail to understand democratic politics
Contrary to what the critics say, there is nothing underhanded or dirty in forcing a by-election as a political strategy. Those who lament over the costs of the by-election fail to understand that there are unavoidable costs inherent in a functioning democracy. Their focus should be on clean elections, and not a cheap democracy.
N Surendran
I refer to criticisms of the resignation of Kajang rep C C Lee and the decision of Keadilan to field Anwar Ibrahim. Much of the criticism has been knee-jerk, poorly reasoned and displays a lack of understanding of party and electoral politics. Elections are the bedrock of the political strategy of parties in any modern democracy. It is the right of the political party to go back to the people as part of a political strategy, whether in a by-election or wider national elections.
Keadilan/ Pakatan Rakyat’s use of elections to obtain political advantage strengthens electoral democracy. The robust use of elections as political strategy must be nurtured and encouraged. Pakatan Rakyat wants to gain strength through the legitimate use of the electoral system; this in contrast to the BN which undermines elections, and uses executive power to oppress and persecute dissent in order to hold on to power.
A by-election is a superb way for the people to have their say; every properly conducted by-election strengthens democracy, and is an affirmation of participatory democracy.
The critics of the ‘ Kajang move’ fail to perceive that a modern democracy cannot effectively function without the crowding and jostling of political parties seeking electoral and political advantage. This political advantage can be sought through every legitimate and permitted method, including by-elections.
They also appear to have lost sight of the words and spirit of the Federal Constitution which contemplates and allows for situations like this. Article 51 allows the elected rep to resign without conditions or qualifications. Article 51 is worded in order to permit by-elections as a political strategy.
Forcing by-elections as political strategy is practiced in many mature democracies. In 2008, MP David Davis resigned from the House of Commons to force a by-election in order to focus attention on civil liberties. And in 1986, all Unionist MPs resigned from the UK parliament as a political strategy.
Contrary to what the critics say, there is nothing underhanded or dirty in forcing a by-election as a political strategy. Those who lament over the costs of the by-election fail to understand that there are unavoidable costs inherent in a functioning democracy. Their focus should be on clean elections, and not a cheap democracy.
Finally, this is a political strategy to help beat the corrupt and oppressive BN coalition, and consign them eventually to the trash-heap of history. That is not against the interest of the rakyat; on the contrary, that is the best possible thing for the rakyat.
N Surendran
Vice President, Keadilan
MP Padang Serai
