There were a series of articles and replies over at theCicak that deserve a good read through. It starts with John Lee’s attack on a lackadaisical opposition, followed by Mr Nathaniel’s reply, and then followed by a further reply by Nik Nazmi.
Firstly, I’m quite surprised and no doubt offended by the undue assumption that John Lee’s article is an expression of cynicism or apathy; if anything, his article is a study in the weaknesses of an opposition still tied to a cult of personality, and to a useless dichotomy that pits opposition as the other side of the Barisan Nasional coin(1).
What I find surprising is the prevalence, in apparent counter-argument, of a sort of populism that eschews the idea of the Opposition as a government-in-lieu, and supports a sort of rabble-rousing demagoguery. No wonder the incumbent thinks you’re dangerous because, as a mob, you are. Mobs don’t think, they fulminate!
Didn’t opposition parties learn a damn thing from the Article 11 coalition? A slew of NGOs came together to attempt to educate the masses on their rights, to urge people to know their rights and to defend those rights. Civic-mindedness and civil action are powerful forces for democratization; you’d think the lessons of pre-Independence India and the Tiananmen massacre were enough examples of the people asserting their choice.
Instead of empowering people to choose by educating them, government bashing while effective only encourages people to draw lines between “us” and “them”: BN versus BA, the people vs. the civil service. Dudes and dudettes: we the people form the civil service, and not all BN politicians are greedy no-gooders without a spine and some principles. I think we’ve got to be clear about what issues are important.
Eh, why else would John Lee, myself, freelunch2020 and others(2) demand a sort of ’shadow cabinet’? Because I feel we need to start caring about issues, not political parties or personalities! You think Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng or Anwar Ibrahim are infallible Powers in this country? The people are the power in this country.
And saying “the reality on the ground is that people respond better to screaming at the government”… Of course people do! Who doesn’t like straw men on which to vent pent up frustrations?
Secondly, it was stated in one of the comments that Opposition parties are essentially not required to formulate policies etc according to what some few demand. Of course not; political parties represent interests - and in developed democracies, they represent factional, competing interests. But why should I vote for an Opposition that merely represents an “anti-BN” sentiment when they can’t even show they know what they want to do when in power in the first place?
Sure, I want peace and justice too, but no one’s telling me if “peace” means increased defense spending and flexing our Malaysian muscles in the region, or if “justice” means increased police powers and decreased cabinet oversight. These are just examples! What are you, DAP, telling me? Worse still, what are you not telling the people? And with reference to the above, why aren’t you telling the people, and why aren’t you telling them its important that they know these things?
Thirdly, I read the common enough admonishment: why aren’t you getting your hands dirty and getting involved in political parties. I have a personal answer: I think the future of Malaysia lies in pushing for more active civic participation in NGOs with which to negotiate a space for debate and deliberation in the political arena in respect of the avowed interests of said NGOs (3).
Furthermore, telling “armchair critics” to put up or shut up is a stupid argument. Football “punditry” is widespread on the internet and in kopitiams. Might as well tell these well-meaning pundits to shut up and take over Arsene Wenger’s job, or take over Liverpool and manage the team. It’s the same thing! Everyone has an opinion, just like everyone has an asshole. But to dismiss an opinion as idealistic or unrealistic without engaging with the substance of that opinion is to act like a… well, the words escape me.
There. Rant over. Now on to more whiskey!
- Sigma, in his strong defense of the DAP, had previously presented a series of policy options that are alleged to form the core of DAP principles. My contention there, and the contention that John Lee explicates, is the similar: the opposition is allowing the incumbent to dictate political discourse in the country. By the way, Bloggers are similarly at fault, I will admit, because the very nature of what we do is reactionary. (↩)
- See sigma’s post (↩)
- I’ve said this before. (↩)
Comments (18)
yoz xpyre~~welcome back after cny.
again, as always, another pleasant well-argued article.
i totally agree with the formulation of more CONCRETE policies. eg. PKR’s constant cries for greater press freedom yet will not commit on the ABOLISHMENT of the DRACONIAN and SUFFOCATING Printing Presses and Publishing Act which empowers the Minister to issue and revoke media licences pretty much at wimp. like if one day, a newspaper changes the type of paper they print on, and the Minister is allergic to it, he MAY JUST DARN WELL CANCEL THE LICENCE. And as I understand there is no judicial redress.
on the issue of armchair critics i think malaysians must learn that in developed democracies people like to talk and exchange views as this is what encourages creativity as we learn from each other — something like memes, thoughts passing from one mind to another.
also, at the war crimes conference recently, a member of the floor asked a distinguished scientist and activist:”What can I do?” And he replied: “Do that which you do BEST. As each person is different. And it’s important to find out where you would ENJOY contributing as that’s where your best work lies.”
not everyone is a politician (defn: member of political party), ngo activist, demonstrator, etc. but in ENCOURAGING debate, everyone is participating in democracy.
btw, what happened to the “email new comments” button…..
Yes, I admit the Opposition has its share of the blame. I too agree on the formation of the Shadow Cabinet, and it has been proposed to the party leadership.
I’m not saying that armchair critics should shut up - what I’m saying is that please go beyond being an armchair critic. When you’re involved in the Opposition, you will realise how small the Opposition is and how it still lacks manpower, bright young minds, etc. Too many Opposition leaders multitask to the point of being inefficient, that many do not pick up these ideas.
Yes, there’s many levels of involvement. I accept that. Some can be at the frontline. Others can’t. But they can be in the think tanks, making policy and formulating the bright ideas they frequently express on their blogs into real alternative policies for the Opposition.
Nat expressed that John Lee’s article is an expression of a higher cynicism, not apathetic cynicism, but angry cynicism, which shows that he still cares. We appreciate that.
And Keadilan is committed to implement a Freedom of Information Act, and abolish draconian laws namely the PPPA, ISA, OSA, etc - this was included in our 2004 Manifesto (http://www.keadilanrakyat.org/spm/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=315&Itemid=48)
Hey there xpyre! I didn’t realise you’ve linked my post here.
Yeah, I too agree that DAP and PKR should consider forming a Shadow Cabinet. Unfortunately, you’re also right that DAP currently letting BN set the agenda, with it merely responding to it.
Mr Nazmi, its good that the Shadow Cabinet proposal is being floated by your party. I hope that it’ll be accepted.
@freelunch: hallo! enjoyed your CNY celebrations? :D What you’ve said about each of us contributing as best we can in the ways that we enjoy is so true. It’s just that more often than not, partisan types I have met in the past do sometimes have the ‘put-up-or-shut-up’ attitude amongst them. LOL it’s like they’ve chosen to take that important step down some long and winding road. I wish there were more Nik Nazmis to tell them “don’t overestimate your importance” hahaha :D
(removed the subscribe to comments plugin because it was giving probs with the theme!)
@Nik Nazmi: you know something? If there is a call - and I think this is a brilliant idea - out to the internet for online collaborators in policy formulation or brainstorming etc, I’ll be willing to participate - and I’m betting a whole lot of people will, too. It’s gives these people an ownership of a commonly worked-out vision. It’s a good idea, and it’s leveraging the internet - a space the government is essentially clueless about. Maybe you can recommend that to Top Management(tm)? heh heh :)
@sigma: So, would you be willing to join in an online collaboration to hammer out policies, etc? heh heh.. we could be the shadow cabinet we’ve been asking the Opposition to be (why wait for them?!)
That is a brilliant idea. Will discuss it with some people and get back to you!
That’s great! :D
I think it’s fair and it share info too, and gives bloggers - and the public - a chance to get to know the innards of governance. If anything, it’ll be useful for teaching people, I guess.
AND it will force bloggers, armchair pundits i.e. all of us, to put our money where our mouths are (so to speak LOL)…
Nice, man! We in the Siber Party of Malaysia (M) agree that political parties across the divide have to look at solutions rather than just shouting against whatever takes their fancy or reacting to the news of the day.
We take your idea of collaboration through the internet and might tap you and others on it.
Now, about that whiskey…?
xypre: Sure thing. Will be glad to participate :)
d’oh! looks like i’ll no longer get the exclusive glory for coming up w/the idea :)
i recently e-mailed Nik and others a brief layout for this online Kabinet Rakyat which you’ve alluded to. if all goes well, i hope to have it up within a week or so? hoping to have more news ready by friday. even got a good domain name ready :P :)
sounds like i can count on you guys to help run the thing right?! :)
maybe more responses soon :)
sdr-sdri,
my thoughts are here: most of us involved in opposition politics want nothing more than to affect positive change.
it does us no good to try an act superior to non-member voters - what we want is for others to be able to see that the ideals we are fighting for are the same ideals the masses believe in (an end to corruption, a united Malaysia, etc..).
You say that we lack roadmaps, internal cohesion, ideas, good marketing strategies, etc.. All that is certainly fair comment. We aren’t afraid to accept such criticisms, and while we would love nothing more than your participation (through the party, NGOs, etc), what can we possibly have to gain from asking you to put up OR shut up?
But just for some context: surely you’ve had the experience of feeling like your critics don’t know what it’s like to be you. How difficult it is to be you, shoulder your burdens and still have to do your best.
The relationship between the Government and the Opposition may offer some insights. Yes, we are willing to hantam the Government at every opportunity. I think what lends us what credibility we have is that we are perfectly willing to take over. Assume the burdens, face whatever challenges the current gov’t says they are facing, *and* do a better job of running the country.
In that sense, we hope for the same in our critics. If you really feel that Anwar or Kit Siang cannot make it, then come on in, bring in the people power you rightly esteem so highly, and move the party in the direction you see fit. If you feel that choir is unconvertable, start your own party. Or start your own NGO (it’s a *little* less romantic than it seems tho). Anything.
John and I have debated whether the country more sorely lacks ideas & roadmaps or political will. I argued that political will was more the bottleneck than ideas (though why turn away ideas?? All efforts welcome!) . Similarly, as Nik alluded to, it’s not as if we are in denial of our alleged shortcomings - shoddy campaigning, internal politics, lack of finesse, etc. These are problems that are obvious in the same way that corruption and racism are obvious problems.
We’re working on it, working hard. When people criticise us on these points from the outside, our insides plead for them to get on board and make all the things they are advocating a reality. I see political will as the obstacle to being rid of corruption; similarly, I see increased participation from motivated folks to be the obstacle of opposition advancement. If there’s no sincere interest to be a part of that advancement, then maaaaaaybe there’s no sincerity in the criticism either?
You don’t have to join the party if you don’t want to. You don’t even have to vote for us if you don’t want to. But to cliche-ly quote the great soul: *be* the change you wish to see! Yes, punditry will always exist, but in only being a pundit, are you living up to your potential?
If you’re waiting to get ‘introduced’ to the scene - be it political, ngo, etc - please feel free to get in touch with me. Nothing would make me happier than to find a good match for you and your activist inclinations.
*
On that note, with regards to the kabinet rakyat proposal, can i ask for your help boss? The site I had envisioned would run best with a small group of volunteers. I don’t have all the e-mails of the ppl above who’ve expressed interest, but I’d love to have an e-mail list compiled for when the time comes (insyallah soon!).
if anyone’s interested, i can be reached at nat[at]jelas.info :) really looking fwd to hearing from you all :)
warmest,
nat :)
@nat: I definitely think it’s a good idea, especially if it’s geared toward the more inclusive umbrella of a Barisan Alternatif - or any such umbrella.
That being said, I think what you’ve said is fair: there’s a difference between what ideas a small, privileged slice of the population (like us bloggers - we are privileged in many ways in respect to other Malaysians) and what politicians must clearly see on the ground in joe public’s constituency. While I don’t think the more prudent amongst us are ready to storm the Bastille just yet (haha!), I think I do agree with you when you warn against romanticizing civil action or even politics.
As for a more active participation, what I can say is that a few bloggers have been tossing around ideas behind the scenes, some still active in the blogosphere, some not anymore. I can’t speak for them, and I do know their interests lie beyond politics and more in the realm of civil action, but at this stage nothing has materialized as yet.
As for the new Kabinet Rakyat effort, I’m willing and I’ll make time for it. I’m sure the others such as Desi, Howsy, Lucia, Lulu and Mavericksym are willing (perhaps if it is less focused on specific parties and more on a collective effort?) Sigma is willing, and perhaps freelunch2020. I think it’ll be prudent to bow to the experienced participants in politics to sketch a brief map of the territory.
It’s always going to be a question of how far you want to take this, right?
kabinet rakyat? sounds interesting. i might be interested though i don’t write well, and worst don’t speak well at all (shy!).
I would be very interested in the kabinet rakyat proposal as well. The only way to move forward is to take the offensive, instead of allowing BN to define our terms of discourse.
As an aside, I disagree that NGOs can form the main thrust of a movement for change. Ultimately, in a democracy (or pseudo-democracy like Malaysia), it is political parties that have the true power to effect change by contesting for power. NGOs form a critical component of change, but they cannot form the brunt of change as long as they remain apolitical in nature.
P.S. I see you license this blog under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike licence. Thumbs up: http://www.infernalramblings.com/articles/Global_Socio-Politics/145/
;)
well, Nathaniel’s email addy’s up there… :) Email him!
@john: well, the corollary of focusing on NGOs is to admit (at least what I believe) that opposition parties cannot supplant the current government. My argument is that to rely on opposition parties to express the interests of people on the ground, when opposition parties are not able to replace the government, is to rely on an ineffective vehicle for said interests.
Hence the shift toward NGOs which, although apolitical, still do represent interests. What I’m saying is: let the incumbent maintain its place in governance because that’s what it wants, while channeling citizen participation into NGOs who will then lobby for its own interests. If opposition parties are ineffective (not really their fault, tho’), then we must look for other options, is what I’m saying.
(a bit defeatist, I think, but maybe a more pragmatic solution?)
IMO, the way to make the opposition parties effective is for people to join them. If you don’t want to join them, then at least vote for them, and make your voice heard - especially if you have internet access, since scribbling a quick comment or email is so easy these days.
There’s only so much NGOs can accomplish, and with our hopeless government at the helm, they can’t do much. BN isn’t interested in listening to anyone unless that listening serves its interests. The ballot box is really the more potent threat to them.
agree with john re “the way to make the opposition parties effective is for people to join them” and “The ballot box is really the more potent threat to them.”
re kabinet rakyat…sure…can i be the ‘minister of natural resources ;D’ not that i am corrupt but hey, i’ve always had a heart for the environment ;D
@freelunch / John > I guess that’s what En Nik Nazmi’s suggested in one of his blog entries. The concern, I suppose, is rigged elections - or rather elections in which constituencies (and, subsequently, representation) are arranged to favour the incumbent. What sort of majority or critical mass would you need, then?
Sheesh, I can’t remember where I last saw election statistics a few weeks ago (anyone have an idea?), but from what I saw, it appears that about 40% of Malaysians voted for the Opposition. And yet we don’t have a corresponding representation. Are you still certain that critical mass is the answer - and how large a critical mass? With the election circus in play, I’m not sure anything less than a 70-80% vote for the Opposition will mean anything.
Are we going to get that? I’m not so confident about saying yes… which brings me back to the question: what other means are there for you, as a citizen, to push forward or secure your interests? None, unless you’d consider joining Barisan Nasional.
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and clamping down on corruption, the media will be empowered by the ABOLISHMENT of the DRACONIAN, ARCHAIC and SUFFOCATING Printing Presses and Publishing Act which empowers the Minister to issue and revoke media licences pretty much at wimp. I said on reduced and recycled: “Like if one day, a newspaper changes the type of paper they print on, and the Minister is allergic to it, he MAY JUST DARN WELL CANCEL THE LICENCE. And as I understand there is no judicial redress.”
[...] reply, and then followed by a further reply by Nik Nazm […] Comment published by theCicak’s recent articles: apathy or just funny? at reduced and recycled on [...]
growth. for a single mind can only draw on its own experience but with expression and interaction with other minds, we absorb and transmit memes that build into our subconscious and conscious eventually giving birth to new ideas — creation i said on xpyred