theSun | FRIDAY MAY 15 2009
speak up!
thesun says
Peace talks
hold the key
IT is encouraging to note that the prime minister
does not dismiss the possibility of an election to
solve the impasse in Perak. By saying that return-
ing the mandate to the people to choose their
government was an option to put an end to the
stalemate, the premier has lent credence to his
mantra of 1Malaysia – People first, performance
now. It is also bold of him since the general mood
is that any snap state elections will return the
mandate to Pakatan Rakyat (PR).
Many among the ordinary rakyat cannot
comprehend the complex constitutional issues
that have risen since February when three PR
assemblymen became independents throwing
their support behind the Barisan Nasional (BN) to
throw the state assembly into disarray.
To the ordinary rakyat, the solution is obvious.
By calling for fresh polls, one can end a complex
problem via simple means. To the ordinary rakyat,
because of the ruling coalition’s apparent reluc-
tance to agree to fresh polls, they would rather
believe claims by PR that the ruling coalition is
It is time to afraid of losing. But as the ordinary rakyat is not
put aside privy to discussions among politicians and be-
differences, tween the ruler and political leaders, everything
is a matter of speculation. This brings us back to
look for the the maxim that perception is everything.
solution In an attempt to soothe battered and bruised
which is best images, the right thing to do would be to go with
the wishes of the masses. This would be the fast-
for Malaysia, est route towards ending the deadlock which has
particularly brought the silver state to a standstill for the last
Perak, so that three months, scaring off investors and giving rise
to a civil service which may become a law onto
all Malaysians itself as the chain of command is fluid.
can get on On that note, the prime minister’s act in holding
with our lives. out an olive branch to his political rivals by invit-
ing them for talks is laudable and must be taken
advantage of. And if they do sit down for talks, it
would be pertinent that the agenda is what is best
for the people who are fed up with the constant
politicking since the last general election. It is
time to put aside differences, look for the solution
which is best for Malaysia, particularly Perak, so
that all Malaysians can get on with our lives.
13
Sorry, but it was
cedures. Wow, I thought, backbench
MPs can improve the lives of their
constituents. That is why I established
the Malaysia Think Tank’s Backbench-
ers’ Research and Analysis Service: to
enhance the capacity of backbenchers to
serve their constituents, without regard
a black day
to political party.
After a stint at the World Bank, in
which I witnessed the insidiousness of
corruption and the extent of sheer deca-
dence in assorted countries’ political and
bureaucratic systems, I became even
more convinced of the need for limited
MY interest in the democracy party of freedom: it supplied but effective government. Strong check
of our country began during
the 1995 general election
Abiding the prime ministers who
abolished the slave trade,
and balance institutions, rule of law,
accountability and intelligent decentrali-
campaign. Added to the mix Times repealed the protectionist sation were some of the best antidotes
of the usual playground fight- by Tunku ‘Abidin Muhriz Corn Laws, beat the Nazis, to poor governance. In Malaysia we
ing at the Alice Smith School and defeated the Commu- already have the historical narrative of
was a new excuse to divide: nists. But it was also a party constitutionalism dating back to at least
political parties. Among 12-year-olds, whose members helped our country 1326 and the legal framework to install
party choice was determined mostly by after World War II: during the Malayan all the things that good governance
how close you lived to a party leader, and Union debacle, it was Conservatives like requires, but yet we stall, for whatever
all the Ampang kids, including my Scot- David Gammans, John Foster and Lord reasons – real or imagined – that some
tish friend, supported Ku Li and drew Marchwood who assisted opposition to of our politicians attribute.
S46 logos in homework books. the Malayan Union. Even after Merdeka So what happened on May 7 in Perak
Interest in politics lay dormant until I and Malaysia Day (supported by many was a shameful day for our democracy. It
was in the Lower Sixth in England, after Conservatives), it was with Edward was a disgrace that the regent had to wait
I was appointed house representative Heath’s government that we signed five hours. To see the police “invade” the
for Amnesty International and roped in the Five Power Defence Arrangement august chamber was heartbreaking. It
to organise letters calling for the release which continues to be to our strategic utterly violated the spirit of separation
of prisoners of conscience. They had benefit. And while Margaret Thatcher of powers. And it insulted the courage
deemed Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and John Major visited Malaysia as of Speaker Lenthall, who on behalf of
as falling in this category, and soon prime minister, Tony Blair only came all future Westminster assemblies, had
my housemaster received a call from after he resigned. “neither eyes to see nor tongue to speak”
the Malaysian Students Department At the same time, I encountered the but as the House directed him.
asking about me. In any case I had to various Malaysian political party clubs If the obduracy of the parties contin-
quit Amnesty to focus on my A-Levels: in London, but they all seemed vicious ues to lengthen this debacle, the costs to
in History I was studying the causes of or ingratiating, so I was content to serve taxpayers and to democracy will spiral
the English Civil War and committed to at my university’s mainly social club further. Though I maintain that the
memory Speaker Lenthall’s reply when with a sprinkling of intellectual activity. root cause of all this is the insufficiently
Charles I tried to arrest MPs in the House Simultaneously, my political philosophy democratic method in which candidates
of Commons. modules convinced me firmly of the are selected – which weakens their loy-
Later at university in London, I was principles of individual liberty and alty to their constituents – all our noble
extremely excited to learn that citizens free trade: principles which seemed to institutions have been besmirched. I
of Commonwealth countries could vote naturally complement my adat and my read what my childhood political figure
in British elections (including for the religion. living in Ampang says, and perhaps
European Parliament), and indeed that Working in the Houses of Parliament geographical proximity is no longer the
Malaysian students before me – includ- was a hugely satisfying experience: I only reason to support him.
ing past prime ministers – had partici- helped to amend legislation, solved a
pated in politics in the UK. So I followed myriad of constituents’ problems and Tunku ’Abidin Muhriz is director of the
suit, and I chose the Conservative worked on projects which forced the Malaysia Think Tank (www.waubebas.
Party. In Britain itself, it was clearly the government to improve flawed pro- org).