Political Disharmony and Fragmentation As We Approach GE16…

I thank Allah SWT for life, the daily blessings, unconditional love, answered prayers and the beauty of creation. And I am also thankful for giving me the chance to go through political developments in the last decade.

Before that, in the previous six decades, there were relative peace and stability if we discount May 13, 1969 and the 1998 Reformasi movement.

Political parties exist primarily to organise political competition, win elections, control government and to implement specific policies based on their manifesto. They are supposed to be a coalition of like-minded individuals who bridge diverse interests and ensure good governance.

Reflecting on the last few years, these like-minded individuals seem to be “unlike-minded” now. There seems to be ‘political disharmony’ within the three largest coalitions.

The political actors are in chaotic conflict, showing disharmony. As I am not a member of any party, I am not sure if it is due to intentional behaviour, structural issues or pursuit of power. Are they trying to gain leverage and prioritising survival over stability?

The phrase, “politicians are dividing us” is not uncommon. They create social tensions through fear and pit groups against each other to remain in power and making themselves “protectors” of specific ideologies.

Now, they themselves are faced with leadership crisis, mud-slinging and are divided.

There is speculation that GE16 could be this year.

It is time to educate the rakyat to see through biases, look beyond labels and to focus on shared humanity.

We must elect leaders that meet certain standards such as core values, leadership qualities, political will, track record on handling crisis/issues and in touch with the ground. Note that first impressions and charisma correlate weakly with effective leadership. Newcomers should also exhibit some track records in other organisations.

At party levels, look at the party’s track record, realistic manifestos promise over superficialities, reliability, consistency and accountability. Have we ever heard of full collective responsibility from any political party or a coalition? Party loyalty is not for the 21^st century.

Flashback to GE14, manifestos gained traction on promises of anti-corruption and leader credibility.

We were cautiously optimistic about the outcome of GE15 but I am sure many will agree, again, there will be no single party securing a dominant victory.

For GE16, we can learn a few things from the last Sabah state election. Money politics still play a big role and the alleged vote-buying during the campaign. Parties misread the political temperature and undercurrent and ignored the loss of trust.

We have gone through all these and we are we going to maintain on how we elect a candidate in GE16?

Do away with political narratives and rhetoric, we need concrete reforms. We still hear political bargaining and negotiations. Where is the moral high ground?

We need high-minded leaders who would lead with high ethical standards, visionary and focus on creating value beyond just political profit. We have had enough of tainted leaders.

To be a great nation, we need harmony, stability and economic progress. We have witnessed the coalition’s instability and policy gridlock. The bottom line is inefficiency, lack of good governance and trust deficit.

Ask ourselves, as a voter, are we satisfied after the last few general elections?

We need a new plate. Who will put food in it and will it be shared by all or a selected few? Be mindful, the cost of the food is borne by us.

Will we be choosing hope or another disappointment or we just make an order from Shoppee?

A new report from the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) noted that established political parties are spending as much as RM1.2 million a year, while daily election campaign expenses cost between RM60,000 and RM70,000. The entry cost for new parties is between RM30,000 and RM240,000 and aspiring candidates from newer parties needing from RM40,000 to over RM1 million to contest. These are big amounts and barriers to entry.

We have been waiting since 2019 for a comprehensive Political Financing Act to modernise Malaysia’s fragmented regulatory framework.

In September 2019, National Centre for Governance, Integrity, and Anti-Corruption (GIACC) director-general Abu Kassim Mohamed said, a law to regulate political financing is expected to be tabled at next month’s Parliament session. In August 2022, minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) said, the long-awaited law to regulate political funding will be tabled in Parliament this October. In May 2024, the All-Party Parliamentary Group Malaysia (APPGM) on political financing said, the Political Financing Bill will be tabled in Parliament by December.

A couple months back, the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform) said the draft of the Bill is still being finalised by the Legal Affairs Division of the Prime Minister’s Department.

Why is the government dragging its feet? This Act should kill corruption, restore the people’s trust in politics and avoid the battle of who has the deepest pockets.

Let’s make the fight against corruption real with good governance practiced within political parties.

Your vote is very expensive and is not a gift, so use it wisely if you want Malaysia to be great.

What say you…

 

Saleh Mohammed