Malaysian Elections: Why Barisan Nasional should not be given another 2/3 majority
A government should never have absolute power. Power, of course, corrupts. Absolute power, therefore, corrupts absolutely. In democratic countries, methods of checks and balances are required to ensure that the government of the day does not overstep its boundaries. These include the media (newspapers, TV, radio, etc.), the judiciary, and last but not least, the opposition political parties. However, most of these check and balance mechanisms in Malaysia have been corrupted by the ruling Barisan Nasional.
The people rely on the media to give an accurate picture of what is going on in the government. However, this is obviously not happening. The media has become Barisan Nasional’s mouthpiece. What we get from the media these days is unmitigated groveling and sycophancy of unholy proportions. Every other report expounds the virtue of BN, what great achievements they have made, what dreams they have for the future, and what the people will gain by voting for them. Contrarian views are twisted to sound extremist or blacked out completely. At the same time, the media has been publishing advertisements subliminally threatening those who would dare vote against BN with violence, 1969 style. Media credibility? Sorry mate, these days a Disneyland fantasy has more credibility than that.
The judiciary also has a role to play. An independent judiciary is also necessary to ensure that the government does not break or misinterpret laws. It is the final place for citizens to seek redress if the government has wronged them. However, after Mahathir broke the judiciary in 1989, what have are now more rightfully called BN lapdogs rather than judges. These days, the judiciary we know has more to do with corrupted promotions, controversial decisions which trample on basic human rights and cartoon characters making fools of themselves and everybody else at the so-called Royal Commission hearing to determine the authenticity of the judicial position fixing video. Correct? Correct, correct, correct!
This leaves the opposition. The final check and balance of a democratic country. I mentioned earlier that the opposition were basically making fools of themselves this elections. Well, they do seem to have bucked up in the last week or so. Like them or not though, they are an important check and balance measure for a Barisan Nasional government. While the current opposition are unlikely to do well in running a country, they will play an important role in curbing the excesses of the rulling coalition. Wasteful projects and ludicrous attempts to keep on controversial figures in the system can at least be countered. The opposition may not do well as country leaders. But in combating the corruption and impunity with which BN runs this country, let us remember that the saying that “The enemy of my enemy is my friend”.
I hope that Barisan Nasional does not win the majority this time. This will allow the people to be properly represented, and opposing views given voice to in parliament. It will ensure that all future government undertakings be approved based on merit and not the wishes of a few puppet masters. Only then can we hope for the real progress for Malaysia.
It is now voting day folks. Let’s make every vote count. Good hunting!
