Time for a third force in politics
Lim Sue Goan, Sin Chew Daily
I have been contemplating of late what has gone wrong with the country’s two-party system. And it has not brought a more promising outlook.
The two-party system in the United States catapulted the country’s democratic development, making it a veritable superpower of this world.
But, even in a highly developed country with such a mature democratic system, problems exist with its two-party system. Let alone Malaysia.
Our two-party system has not brought more stability after the 13th general election. Instead, we are heading towards more commotion, conservatism and extremism.
Drawing from last year’s general election, we can see that Umno still depended heavily on rural Malay voters to stay in power, while 85% of Chinese votes went to Pakatan Rakyat.
DAP and Chinese-dominant component parties in Barisan Nasional continue to fight for Chinese support, while the relationship between Umno and PAS remains highly unpredictable.
With its Chinese support gone, Umno has no choice but to cling on to its support base.
The party understands well that PAS is in control of the critical Malay votes and if PAS quits Pakatan or is at loggerheads with DAP, then BN should not have any problem capturing some of the mixed constituencies, further consolidating its grip.
As such, Umno will keep sending signals to PAS. Hudud being a convenient bait.
To capture Putrajaya, DAP cannot go without the Malay votes. Because of this, DAP is not going to give up PAS easily while MCA and Gerakan are making good use of the hudud issue to attack DAP in hope of dividing the opposition pact.
Such a development puts PAS in an advantage. While Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin made a personal visit to PAS Syura Council chairman Datuk Nik Abdul Nik Aziz, DAP’s Lim Kit Siang was not to be outdone. Kit Siang even explained to Nik Aziz that his party never blamed the Teluk Intan defeat on PAS or hudud.
So, that’s how politicians’ attitude is. Both sides of the political divide have set their eyes on capturing Putrajaya at the next general election and this explains why Najib has said the federal government has never really rejected hudud.
As if that is not enough, Umno has even teamed up with Kelantan government to form a technical committee on hudud.
Meanwhile, DAP’s attitude has switched from “PAS should leave Pakatan” to “DAP never blames PAS”.
As MCA and Gerakan do not have the guts to have a showdown with Umno, DAP’s tricks might not work, and the hudud issue could likely become a reality.
The softening stance gives rise to more confusion and chances for extreme politicians to advance their motives. This is a matter of human weaknesses and has nothing to do with the two-party system.
By right, the two-party system should bring us more reforms but unfortunately, we have seen that the economic transformation programme has been shelved in favour of Bumiputera economic empowerment.
Pakatan used to champion a cut in the civil service, but even this is now an off topic. The opposition pact was also slow in responding to the Johor Housing and Real Property Board issue, treading cautiously so as not to be seen as going against royalty.
Although the two-party system should enhance the spirit of the rule of law, unfortunately many are now trampling on the laws, repeatedly making seditious remarks even as individuals are just about to be prosecuted on sedition charges.
When politicians are keeping their eyes shut over the prevailing mess for fear of falling victim to the vicious power struggle, the situation begins to get out of hand as certain people start to interpret secular state and apostasy the way they like it.
The cabinet resolutions fall on deaf ears and so is the attorney-general’s decision. Without enforcement, religious and ethnic extremists will have their day.
There is no way the country can move forward under the current disorderliness. We need a third force to bring both the rival political camps back to the right track.
Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM) secretary-general S. Arutchelvan said more and more individuals disappointed with BN and Pakatan had joined the party.
Civil organisations in pursuit of social justice such as Stop Lynas Coalition should also work together to prevent religious elements from intervening in politics.
Political parties in Sabah and Sarawak should also become a force to be reckoned with in stopping the country from inching towards fundamentalism because what is now happening in the peninsula could soon reach across the South China Sea.
In the absence of a healthy system, mature political culture and intelligent leaders, there is no way for a two-party system to exert its check-and-balance function in establishing a truly moderate society.
As our political parties fail to put the interests of the nation above their own, rivalries will go on and on, killing every prospect of national reforms.
We should remain alert that some irresponsible quarters might bank on the current situation to annihilate our parliamentary democracy.
We must come together to lend our support to the third force, reminding the rival camps they must never plunge the nation into the deepest pit of despair.
