As expected, although the prime minister announced the most significant political reforms of the last decade — far surpassing anything that’s been done in the opposition-controlled states, or even within opposition parties — the cynics are still at it.
Some examples include that the government copied the opposition proposals from their Buku Jingga.
Does hubris really know no end? Well, by definition, it technically doesn’t, but I’ll stop digressing. I’m not saying Pakatan Rakyat had no part to play in all of this. It’s obvious that pressure from the government’s weak handling of Bersih led to Barisan Nasional needing an impetus to get the ball rolling again.
Pakatan played a part in that. However, this much must be obvious even to the most die-hard Pakatan supporter.
The abolishment of the Internal Security Act and the legal reforms that came with it are not from the Buku Jingga. Obviously not.
Civil societies and NGO’s have fought for said reforms for the last 30 years, and some of the strongest calls for it came in the heyday of Mahathirism, when the idea that the son of Tun Razak, who was the then Umno Youth chief, would abolish the ISA was utterly far-fetched. Oh, wait…
Anyway, it’s sheer arrogance to push aside the contribution of civil society to said reforms. Giants like V. David have fought their whole lives to get the draconian laws repealed. And as much as Pakatan Rakyat is trying to equate the two, civil society is not Pakatan Rakyat, and Pakatan Rakyat is NOT civil society.
There was dissent before Pakatan Rakyat came along, let me remind you. Unless you strongly feel that Malaysian history is divided into two distinct periods — before and after Pakatan Rakyat, with the former irrelevant — you’ll concur with me.
Datuk Seri Najib Razak might not follow through
Yes, there’s a chance this might happen. It’s happened before. But give credit where it’s due. His announcing the most significant political reforms of the last decade (yes, it is worth repeating) is not going to do him any favours with the extremists and the reactionaries.
They have always assumed (wrongly) that having the ISA is equivalent to protecting Malay rights. There will undoubtedly be some short-term political losses for him as he convinces his three-million-strong party, but the ball’s very much in the middle of the court now.
This is our victory. This is a victory for all Malaysians; only that it’ll take some longer to realise it. Let it go to Parliament. Let us show our support for it. Any cynicism on our part might dilute that process.
Of course, if it doesn’t come to fruition, slamming the prime minister for not following through would be much warranted. Of course, logically, those who choose to be cynical now shouldn’t be griping about it then as they never expected it to go through.
This is not enough, we want more!
Yes, and the PM should follow through by abolishing the University and University Colleges Act, among others. It’s time to bring our country forward to the 21st century. This is only a first step, but a big one. Let’s throw our support behind it and his moderation. Or the extremists will triumph.
P.S. Pakatan Rakyat, please respond with reforms to things within your control. Have your Members of Parliament and state representatives declared their assets, something that you promised three years ago but have yet to deliver?
Your inaction really begs the question: Why are sinners casting stones?
*This article also appeared in The Malaysian Insider.
*This piece is the personal opinion or view of the writer. The NRC11 does not endorse this view unless specified.
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