by Karim Raslan
The Malaysian Insider
Jul 05, 2011

JULY 5 — Malaysian contemporary history has started to loop back on itself. Instead of going forward and progressing, we are going backwards, repeating the past: Sodomy 1 and Sodomy 2, Bersih 1 and Bersih 2.

There are those who would argue that the political missteps have little impact on our economy. I would disagree. In order for the Malaysian economy to grow further and move to the next level, we need a political transformation — we need an injection of transparency, accountability and the dynamism that comes from an open society.

Sadly, the forces of darkness are too powerful and entrenched. As such much of the flow of domestic capital and human resource overseas is directly attributable to the government’s determination to reject change.

When talk of Bersih 2.0 first surfaced a few weeks ago, I remember thinking it was a total waste of time. To my mind, the civil society agenda had been sidelined by widespread concerns over galloping inflation and rising prices.

However, instead of being forgotten Bersih 2.0 has become more and more prominent. This is not due to its promoters’ savviness. Indeed, the government is directly responsible for the escalation. The shrillness of the mainstream media’s coverage and the government’s hard-headedness has brought us to this impasse.

Over the past few weeks Bersih 2.0 has become a lightning rod for political change — dividing society. To my mind this is faintly ridiculous since the movement’s stated aims are simple enough for anyone to accept. How can we reject the call for clean and fair elections?

First off we need to bear in mind that Bersih 2.0 also raises a fundamental question: namely the Freedom of Assembly —which is guaranteed in Article 10 of the Federal Constitution.

However, since the race riots of 1969, the Malaysian government has essentially taken a view that this freedom should be curtailed for the fear of disruption. The fact that we are still fearful of racial violence some forty years on from May 13th is an indictment of feebleness of our achievements since 1969.

Wasn’t the New Economic Policy supposed to have redressed such imbalances and restructured Malaysian society towards a harmonious end? Have we failed to grow and/or mature since those race riots? Aren’t we stronger and more resilient as a nation?

There are three other points which I’d like to make here:

Firstly — and this is something I’ve been saying for many years now — is that the internet along with Facebook and Twitter have flattened traditional hierarchies and established structures.

As such, the mainstream media is no longer the sole source of information and opinion. This technological shift demands a similar shift in terms of mindset and strategy from political parties and indeed, governments.

Needless to say, I have seen little evidence of such a change amongst the Barisan Nasional and Umno leaders most of whom prefer to hide behind the laws rather than debate issues openly. Indeed, the BN’s political philosophy and record is much better than many realise. I would argue that poorly informed and incompetent ministers are doing more to torpedo the government’s credibility amongst the Malaysian public than the opposition.

Secondly, in handling Bersih 2.0, the authorities have to realise that the key players are now from PAS. Anwar Ibrahim is a shadow of his former self. Ambiga Sreenevasan’s abrupt dismissal of his offer to stop the demonstrations reveals his diminished stature.

However, PAS’ ulama are not conventional politicians. Locking up and/or beating Tok Guru Hadi Awang would turn him into a political giant. Victimizing the ulama would outrage popular sentiment and propel PAS even further to the forefront.

Thirdly and finally, it would be wise to bear in mind that as Winston Churchill once said: “Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to repeat it.”

Many of the factors present in the run-up to the historic 2008 polls are present once again — inflation, a dramatic swing in the Sarawakian state elections, disaffection amongst Chinese and Christian communities not to mention simmering discontent in the cities and urban areas.

The Barisan Nasional and Umno are no longer setting the agenda. Instead, wittingly or not, they appear to be following an opposition ‘play-book’.

In such a context will history repeat itself? Could it be that, Tsunami 1 will be followed by Tsunami 2…the choice is Barisan’s.

* Karim Raslan is a pundit on regional affairs and a columnist with several regional newspapers.