Truth, learning and global norms

Everyone now knows that only 47 percent of Malaysians elected the current federal government. That is how the rules of the game are written within the context of ‘Kampung Malaysia;’ our variety of the colonial nation-state Westminster parliamentary system of governance. Therein also, a race is defined by religion premised upon any ethnicity, but wherein the majority behave as if they are in a minority, as if to create a new race with human rules.

Malaysia remains one of two or three nations wherein affirmative discrimination is done based on ethnicity, defined by religion. But it is now being consistently deployed for crony-capitalism.

And yet, as MP Ong Kian Ming ( right ) has argued in his post-GE presentation in Penang, the younger generation in larger proportions voted for the opposition, both in Malay-dominated constituencies and Chinese-dominated ones, but were usually found in urban constituencies.

My “research by wandering around” in the US also found a similar reality. On more than one campus in the US I found that the overwhelming number of students, regardless of ethnic origin, appear to have been not only registered but they also voted for change.

Obama’s message to black graduates

US President Barack Obama on Sunday gave a commencement address to a graduation class of Morehouse College, a preeminent historically black college:

“ There is no longer any room for excuses for this generation of African-American men and women, and it is time for their generation to step up professionally and in their personal lives.

“It’s just that in today’s hyper-connected, hyper-competitive world, with a billion young people from China, India and Brazil entering the global workforce alongside you, nobody is going to give you anything you haven’t earned.”

If I am borrowing the same arguments and logic system, there is no place for Malaysians who are not connected and competitive in a globalised system of modern business enterprises; even if living only within Malaysia. Kampung quality behaviour and mentality is simply not good enough for the new Malaysia.

This is especially true of our younger people, who have not capitalised upon the educational opportunities given to them or refused to move out of their own dependencies for various reasons of bondage. The new world requires independence in thinking, relevant competencies, and a never-say-die attitude.  

What appears to me is that truth is not yet important in Malaysia. We have an uncanny way of redefining all truth by giving ourselves a Kampung Malaysia spin, as if all truth is only local truth and only applies for us in Malaysia. For example, where else in the world would a minister of a newly-appointed cabinet tell the majority of those who voted against his party to consider migrating to another country, if they do not like the under-democratic system of government?

Where did this kampung mentality of ‘ katak dibawah tempurung ’ quality of education and thinking develop? I see two plausible options to explain the minister’s emotional outburst:

1. He wants to sound brave, and fearsome, as he is now the new home affairs minister? But, rather unfortunately for him, he is only about 20 years out of date because since the fall of the Berlin Wall all people of the younger generations have no fear for tyrants and tyranny. In fact the social media networks can easily crowd-map and take him on, if they so choose to. For that matter, even in Perak, his home state, with just 44 percent of the popular votes, the BN (his party group) is now in power!
2. I think, more accurately, as defined by Mariam Mokhtar, he will be thoroughly challenged under his new portfolio, as his only modus operandi today is to use fear, power, and authority. The days of domination by authority of power are over. His competence in logical thinking has always been limited and I think when Parliament opens in June, he will have to face more than his share of challenges, I suppose.

Najib’s challenge in governance

Najib Abdul Razak has done away, like his predecessor, with the appointment of parliamentary secretaries in ministries.  Instead, he has chosen to appoint a larger number of cabinet ministers but even this has been deftly crafted by the Umno-dominated BN’s leaders. Let me explain:

1. There are only eight portfolios not under Umno dominance. Under the cabinet system of government, under the Portfolio of Cabinet Ministers Act, only the minister has full authority. In the PM’s Department, all the ministers have no real authority or power for independent decision-making, unless their “appointment charter does state so!” In all matters therefore, their boss is the prime minister. I pray I am wrong.
2. Of the eight non-Umno ministers, only three are those with experience as full ministers with a legal and full-fledged portfolio. In short, the other so-called ministers (like the example of Paul Low) will be bullied by public servants with more experience. If anyone has any doubt, please review the British TV series called, ‘ Yes Minister! ’
3. With so many new and competent opposition Members of Parliament, the new ministers will have a sharp learning curve and experienced ministers will have a tough time if they choose to deal with answers which are “really non-answers,” at Question Time.
4. With all the promises made by the BN government, there will be multiple challenges in accomplishing many of the promises made for the GE, and especially those not made, like bribery and corruption.
5. With a popular majority belonging to the opposition, any major political divide which becomes a political issue, can quite easily break up the current government, if they lack experience and especially with more than 51 percent supporters even within the public services supporting the opposition.  The numbers from Lumut and other locations suggest this, especially in terms of whistleblowers.

Good governance will be Najib’s greatest challenge, especially when the majority of the Malaysians have spoken and made their views about the BN. Change we can, change we must. May God help Malaysia grow in democratic maturity.