For Justice, Freedom & Solidarity PP3739/12/2010(025927) ISSN 0127 - 5127 RM4.00 2009:Vol.29No.10

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 1 COVER STORY Pagar makan padi?

Has the fence guarded the rice grains or has it eaten them? by Stephen Tan Ban Cheng

he raging public furore over the Biro Tata TTT Negara (BTN) underlines the naked inabil- If Umno is not racist, why does it ity of all component parties of the Barisan maintain an indoctrination agency Nasional (BN) to restrain and moderate the unhealthy inclinations of a former Prime Minister. like the Biro Tata Negara (BTN) which inculcates in young Malay It is now known that since the late 1980s the pub- minds the idea of Ketuanan licly-funded BTN (National Civics Bureau in En- Melayu and wariness of the other glish) has been allegedly indoctrinating or racial supremacy among Malay Malay- races? (For more on the BTN, read sians. Worse, the BTN, funded by our taxes, has Dr Azly Rahman’s chapter On thetheOn also been allegedly instilling hatred against Chi- Problem of Ketuanan Melayu and the nese Malaysians. Work of the Biro Tata Negara in the In the movie The Power of One: Rainmaker, it stated book Multiethnic Malasia.) – KeeKee) very clearly that “an ideology that attacks those who Thuan Chye on 18 October 2009. least threaten it will not outlast its own generation”. In this instance, Ketuanan Melayu can only be justi- fied if the Chinese Malaysians are conflated into

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 2 EDITOR'S NOTE

Much heated debate – including the memorable ex- changes between Nazri and Mahathir - surrounded CONTENTS the Biro Tata Negara controversy. If Umno is not rac- ist, why does it maintain an indoctrination agency like the BTN, wonders Stephen Tan Ban Cheng, in COVER STORY our cover story. While all this was going on, Najib ••• Pagar Makan Padi? 222 and his team continued to promote the • 1Malaysia: A Deconstruction theme. CY peers into the past to deconstruct the 1Ma- Of Najib's Myth 777 laysia myth - is there space for honest debate and more open democracy, he wonders.

Some are putting a lot of hope in a two-party sys- FEATURES tem, but that alone will not automatically solve the ••• Urban Transport Alternatives problems facing the nation, cautions Jeyakumar For 121212 Devaraj. On the global stage, Farish Noor reminds ••• Climate Of Tragedy 151515 us how neoliberalism and the “war on terror” sys- ••• Uphold Religious Freedom 212121 tem have worked together to terrorise the world. ••• Regretful Bigotry And Intolerance 222222 For P Ramakrishnan, one regretful incident stands ••• Neo-Liberalism And The out in the year just completed – the cow-head pro- ‘War On Terror’ Industry 323232 test. He points out that the majority of are ••• Two-Party System - accommodating and peace-loving and do not sub- And A ‘Third Force’? 404040 scribe to such intolerance.

Many of us, however, are not particularly bothered REGULARS about the Copenhagen climate change meeting. Angeline Loh laments the apathy towards environ- ••• Thinking Allowed 191919 mental destruction and greenhouse gas emissions. ••• Current Concerns 363636 To promote environmentally friendly transport op- ••• LettersLettersLetters 383838 tions, cheahst has come up with some interesting alternatives for Penang. OTHERSOTHERSOTHERS Meanwhile, Khor Ai-Na, Akemi Utsumi and Terri ••• Subscription Form 181818 Faust take a peek inside an institution for people with disabilities and learning problems and call for ••• CartoonCartoonCartoon 393939 a change of attitude towards special education. Fi- nally, we wish all readers a happy new year! Thank Published by you all for your continuing support in the cause of justice. Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara (ALIRAN)(ALIRAN)(ALIRAN) 103, Medan Penaga, 11600 Jelutong, Aliran is an organisation for ‘social democratic reform’. We advocate freedom, justice and Penang, . solidarity; comment critically on social issues, offer Tel: (04) 658 5251 Fax: (04) 658 5197 analysis and alternative ideas keeping in mind Email (Letters to Editor): the national and global picture based on universal [email protected] human rights and spiritual values. We are listed on the on the roster of the Economic and Social Council of Email (General): [email protected] the United Nations. Founded in 1977, Aliran Homepage : http://www.aliran.com welcomes all Malaysians above 21 to be members. Contact the Hon. Secretary or visit our webpage. Printed by Konway Industries Sdn. Bhd. Plot 78, Lebuhraya Kampung Jawa, 11900 , Penang

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 3 Our protectors in a democracy one identity that it never was, is when there is no community per payer, oblivious to the fact that or will be. se? has been recurring for perhaps 20 or more years! Clearly, the Chinese – forget for a Nevertheless, according to a re- while about those in Malaysia – cent Malaysian Insider report head- And here comes the crunch. In are linguistically divided into lined ‘Inner details of BTN reveal another report headlined ‘Dr M various dialect groups, economi- past transgressions by Shazwan transformed BTN to a super-racist cally divided into various social Mustafa Kamal, the BTN has al- agency, says former director. The classes and religiously divided legedly been stereotyping the vari- Malaysia Insider quoted Johari into as many religions as can be ous races as if each was a single Abdul, a former BTN director who found in the world. entity, demonising Pakatan is now the PKR Member of Parlia- Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) leaders as ment for Sungai Petani, as stating In Malaysia, it is an unstated rule spies for the Jews, demonising the that “it was former Prime Minis- for years on end since Merdeka in (DAP) as ter Tun Dr Mahathir who trans- 1957 that there was a distinctive a communist party with close ties formed the BTN into a full-fledged division between the Malaysian- to Singapore, and demonising Pas racist indoctrination agency.” born or Peranakans such as the as Islamic militants. Babas and Nyonyas on the one Johari said the BTN was origi- hand and the sin kheks (or new ar- Here is the classic case of nam- nally headed by Abdullah Ahmad rivals) on the other, although the ing, blaming and shaming people Badawi, then a civil servant. sands of time have papered over as a “group”without any per- Abdullah left the Malaysian pub- this cleavage. ceived member of the group lic service for the political arena present and without those named, where he eventually succeeded Clearly, the Chinese have been blamed and shamed having any Mahathir as the fifth Prime Min- dissipated along lines that mark recourse to respond at all. Where ister on 31 October 2003. their different dialect groups, so- has the idea of upholding the Mahathir was Prime Minister for cial class and religious inclina- pride and dignity of every Malay- more than 22 years from 16 July tions. So, except for their supposed sian gone to? Awry? And why? 1981. cultural affinity, how does a Chi- And even so, at the very expense nese community threaten anyone of each and every Malaysian tax- It is well known that today,

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 4 Abdullah has become the arch-ri- until 1963 when the federation and moderate the unhealthy in- val of his predecessor after being was enlarged into Malaysia clinations of a former prime min- hounded out of office on 3 April through a merger involving Ma- ister. 2009. He enjoyed the second laya, Singapore, and shortest tenure - five years and five . This cowardly acquiescense to the months - among the Malaysian existence of this ugly ogre stand- prime ministers to date. In 1976, the Alliance, already in- ing in the way of our nation-build- corporating the East Malaysian ing efforts for perhaps 20 years or The second prime minister, Tun political parties since the forma- more must be contrasted with the Abdul Razak bin Hussein, was in tion of Malaysia in 1963, was en- forthright courage of those who office for five years three months larged into the have exposed this detriment. from 22 September 1970 till 14 (BN) through the inclusion of hith- January 1976. His untimely de- erto West Malaysian-based oppo- Among others in my thoughts are mise shortened what political ob- sition parties such as the Gerakan ordinary Malaysians such as pe- servers agreed would otherwise Rakyat Malaysia (Gerakan) and troleum chemist and environmen- have been a long tenure. The third the People’s Progressive Party tal pollution-control specialist Prime Minister, Tun Hussein (PPP). Mariam Mokhtar, who hails from Onn, was in office for five years Ipoh and describes herself as six months from 15 January 1976 That the Biro Tata Negara had someone who “values change but till 16 July 1981. been transformed in the late 1980s respects culture”, and Pas mem- – obviously, after Mahathir con- ber Suhaizan Kaiat, who revealed Since Independence on 31 August solidated his grip on the that the party had as early as 2006 1957, West Malaysian-based par- premiership following the resig- pushed for a revamp of the BTN. ties such as the Malaysian Chi- nation of his first Deputy Prime nese Association (MCA) and the Minister Tun Musa Hitam on 16 Ordinary Malaysians must thank Malaysian Indian Congress March 1986 – without even a hint other Malaysians who have cou- (MIC), together with the trend-set- of opposition from these BN com- rageously spoken out against the ting United Malays National ponents constitutes eloquent tes- hatred and indignity that was Organisation (Umno), had ruled timony to the naked inability of freely spewed out during the the then Malaya as the Alliance all component parties to restrain courses they attended. Ordinary

Both have been forthrightly courageous in wanting a revamp of the BTN

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 5 Malaysians must recall what a come top-down authoritarian out- former High Court Judge, Datuk fits? Ian Chin, said when he exposed the existencd of a “boot camp” in As in all other democracies, these The Star on 29 November last year. bottom-up bodies complement the role of our top-down civil service Among other things that Ian Chin Therein lies one of the secret intri- said on the eve of leaving the cacies of democracy. Therein also Bench on 1 December 2008 was lies the way to ensure that the sys- that “former Prime Minister tem does not produce the excesses had made of other systems that rob their thinly veiled threats against people of their pride and dignity. Judges at the Judges Conference in 1997”. The former judge alleged Ketuanan Melayu: Is that the stand After 8 March 2008, Malaysians Mahathir had threatened to sack of UMNO as a party? know the power of their ballot. judges who did not support him, Through the informed exercise of although Mahathir subsequently the ballot, we ensure that the dig- denied the claims. ers had begun as our protectors nity of all our fellow Malaysians in a democracy. They were also is respected. This respect for fel- At least two more dignitaries come the protectors of our democracy. low Malaysians must never be to mind: former Finance Minister Over the years, there has been a trampled upon, as it was trampled Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah and succession of leaders. upon when the wind of arbitrari- Minister in the Prime Minister’s ness blew off the candle that Department, Datuk Seri Nazri. Have some of our leaders become epitomised the life of Teoh Beng Both have been forthrightly cou- our predators in an authoritarian Hock. rageous in wanting a revamp of system? Has the pagar jaga the Indeed, the dignity of any Malay- the BTN. Razaleigh recalled how padi or has the pagar makan the sian, however humble he or she he was victimised and demonised padi? (Has the fence guarded the is, must always be upheld. And it when he was in the opposition rice grains or has it eaten them?) can only be upheld if we Malay- Semangat’46 in the October 1990 sians reject the hatred and indig- general election. As a nation, we enjoyed the checks nity that the present BTN repre- and balances of power in our de- sents and put in its place the love Nazri, as a current holder of po- mocracy, we rejoiced in the rule of and dignity that this nation must litical office, at least has the guts law and we thrived in the doctrine embrace. q to call a spade a spade, despite of proportionality. Indeed, we having to contend with the likes Malaysians bathed in the fragrant of Mahathir. juice of all the freedoms that de- mocracy offered – freedom of faith, Tan Ban Cheng, a 59-year Amidst all these exchanges, what freedom of association, freedom of old journalist-turned law- must not be lost on Malaysians is expression, among others. yer with a small practice that the culture of public service in his hometown of that used to be the hallmark of We enjoyed the politics of consul- Penang, is a keen observer these BN component parties has tation, compromise and consen- of Malaysian and world been more than compromised by sus just as we rejected the politics politics. He graduated our relentless march towards of confrontation, conflict and with double degree in law authoritarianism. chaos. Our political parties were and political science from fundamental expressions of our the University of Canter- From the time of our first Prime democracy. Like in all other de- bury, Christchurch, at the Minister, our beloved Bapa mocracies, our political parties are ripe old age of 48. Merdeka Tunku Abdul Rahman supposed to be bottom-up demo- Putra Al-Haj, our political lead- cratic bodies. Have they now be-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 6 COVER STORY 1Malaysia: A deconstruction of Najib’s myth Is there space for diversity that celebrates creativity and innovation in arts and cultures, for honest debates on issues concerning everyday lives, and the openness of space for democracy? by CY

Since the political tsu- munity. These community-ori- SS nami of the 2008 general ented activities are emerging as SSS election, which dealt the another terrain of “politics” and BN government led by have been around us to manifest Abdullah Badawi a severe blow, a version of Malaysia different Datuk Seri Najib Razak has been from the state-defined 1Malaysia. quietly building up his support and positioning himself to be- Myth and power come the Prime Minister. Since his premiership, Najib has constantly Before we deconstruct Najib’s propagated a new rhetoric to 1Malaysia, let us understand the build an equal and performance- construction of a myth from a lin- oriented governance and, in line guistic perspective. When the with this, he has promoted his 1 French linguist, Roland Barthes Malaysia campaign. What exactly visited a barber one day, he was is 1Malaysia? Is it something real given a magazine to read. The or just mere political rhetoric? To magazine’s cover had a picture of what extent is 1Malaysia penetrat- a black soldier saluting a French reading is constructed. The com- ing into the rakyat’s mind? Are we flag. To Barthes, the picture pleted message (a black soldier buying it? yielded a set of signifiers (the ele- saluting a French flag) functions ments of the images) that pro- as another level of signifier in a Despite 1Malaysia, my other ob- duced a set of concepts (the signi- second stage of the representation servation on the recent develop- fied) such as a French flag, a black process called ‘connotation,’ that ment of communitarian activities soldier, and a uniform. The literal is signifying an ideological and provides an alternative view of message or meaning of the picture purposeful meaning of a message; Malaysia. I am not talking about was a black soldier saluting a in this case, French imperialism. activities relating to institutional French flag. This first stage of This level of representation ac- changes at the level of govern- reading a picture or representa- cording to Barthes is the level of ment, electoral reform or overhaul- tion process is called ‘denotation.’ myth. (Hall, “Representation,” ing of the political party system. I 1997) am referring to cultural projects But Barthes argues that a myth is and activities at the level of com- produced when a second layer of Imagine that this completed mes-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 7 sage is the logo of 1Malaysia rule’ policy. In order to control laysia an industrialised country printed on a sticker or poster, the people (namely the Malays, by that time. Again, the time was visualised on an advertisement Chinese, Indians and others) from apt as in the mid-1980s, the Ma- board and TV screens, or made getting organised and to maintain laysian economy (as well as into a song. At a glance, the first the stability of its colonial bureau- Southeast Asia’s) was booming stage of reading its (completed) cratic dominance, the British co- and a bright future lay ahead. In message involves a picture of a operated with the elites namely the the name of economic prosperity numeric ‘1’, a Malaysian flag, a aristocrats and the rich business – that is to achieve Vision 2020, group of children with different elites from different ethnic groups. stability and peace and order ethnicities, etc. (denotation) In my A myth was constructed and be- were the criteria that a nation own reading, when a second level came an ideology about ethnicity. needed. Thus, the myth of Vision of reading is done (connotation), Thus, we have the perceptions of 2020 saw the authoritarian regime it carries a myth: Malaysian na- the rich Chinese taukehs, the poor crush the alternative voices of civil tional culture is composed of di- Indians workers, and the lazy society, resulting in the decay of versities but united as one nation. Malays or natives and many oth- democracy, the development of ers. This was because the politi- crony capitalism and the Myth-making can be successful cal trajectory of the time fitted to privatisation spree that facilitated when it is juxtaposed with the re- the myth making: the import of further corruption. ality of our surroundings. A myth foreign immigrants with different is an abstract idea: it is difficult to cultures and religions into Ma- When Abdullah Badawi became grasp; yet its presence can be felt laya; the construction of “elites” the PM another myth was in the around us when it is constantly as government officials; the eco- making, namely Islam Hadhari. being ‘pursued’ and ‘constructed’ nomic disparities among different This time the focus was on Islamic via the media, the education sys- ethnic groups; and the cultural movements - PAS and other Is- tem and the political apparatus. separatism among the various lamic groups. Abdullah wanted It provides a sense of reality espe- ethnic groups allowed for the an Islam that would not be cially when that abstractness is myth of ethnic ideology to become stamped as fundamentalist in the spotted within our everyday reali- a ‘reality’ of sorts. eye of the globalised world. And ties. Here, power plays an essen- the time was apt because of 911, tial role in determining how a lan- Sadly, our history books have con- the war on terror and Malaysia’s guage (in terms of linguistic, me- stantly implanted such selective desire to be projected as a nation dia, visual images, voice/song) history on the events that had hap- upholding progressive Islam. should be represented and fitted pened during the colonial period. Unfortunately, his Islam Hadhari into a selected formulation of Other groups such as the left move- was overshadowed by a sequence knowledge and culture within a ments, the communists’ struggles, of controversial episodes such as particular historical juncture and the workers’ groups, and many the conversions issues, the Mus- institutional site in society. Thus, more have been sidelined from the lims women’s rights issue, and ‘myth’ becomes a reality when struggles of nationalism and por- many more. power is being used to determine trayed as ‘terrorists,’ anti-mod- and select a purposeful aim and ernists, chauvinists, and so on. At present, 1Malaysia is the latest desire. product of myth making: it fits in In the post-colonial period, the with the present political scenario Malaysian newly born nation-state was in- because Umno/BN has seen its myth-making volved in a struggle to construct own weaknesses. The rakyat its nation-building projects. Alas, have had enough of the politics of Such construction of ‘myth’ is not colonialism persisted in a new money. People want change. new in Malaysia history. When form. People want a nation which of- Malaysia was colonised under the fers equality for all. People want British, the colonial officials were When Mahathir was the PM, his equitable distribution of wealth. constructing a myth of ethnic dif- national ideology was Vision The myth of 1Malaysia attempts ferences through its ‘divide and 2020, which aimed to make Ma- to provide for such demands.

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 8 Najib’s campaign for 1Malaysia “Tekun,” a RM15 million funding website 1Malaysia.com.my, 1Ma- is vibrant and consistent. The provision for small business and laysia prioritises “perpaduan di 1Malaysia logo can be seen every- hawkers and an additional RM1.5 dalam kepelbagaian (unity within where. It had entered various million funding for developing diversity)”. Diversity becomes the public spheres - from public semi- enterprises among Indian Malay- backbone of the nation. This “di- nars for the civil servants, televi- sians (merdekareview, 12 July versity” is based on the experi- sion discussions on the viability 2009). ences of the past when our ances- of 1 Malaysia, the 1Malaysia For- tors were unified in fighting colo- mula 1 car race sponsored by the Politically, Najib has released 13 nialism. With the backdrop of se- TuneGroup, Naza Group, ISA detainees - subjected to con- lective history, Najib applies it to Litespeed (UK), to the logos of ditional release - in mid-April. the present time and encourages 1Malaysia on Penang buses and The then Home Affairs Minister the nation to celebrate such diver- advertisement boards. Syed Hamid Albar promised a sity and use it to build a nation comprehensive review that is capable of facing During his inauguration speech of the ISA. (, 4 global competition, eco- in April 2009, Najib urged the April 2009) Najib has nomic development for nation to transform the country also announced that the future. Here is the and came up with the slogan 16 September will be a catch: diversity should “One Malaysia. People First. Per- national holiday to be practised to the tune formance Now.” Based on his slo- celebrate the birth of of unification in order to gan, he is not merely encouraging Malaysia that in- generate a stable nation. a united, non-discriminatory form cludes Sabah and The differences of cul- of governance, but also a gover- Sarawak. tures, religions, genders, nance that puts words into actions and ethnicities of our that prioritise the Malaysian To what extent have nation should prioritise people regardless of ethnicity, cul- such reforms reflected “togetherness” through tures, and religions. a vibrant, free, open, mutual respect, mutual and dynamic Malay- understanding, open Economically, he has removed the sia? None - as far as dialogue, and be united 30 per cent bumiputra equity re- political openness is concerned. as one to bring about a developed quirement for 27 services sub-sec- True, Najib released ISA detain- and stable nation. tors - such as health and social ees but between 7 and 25 June services, tourism, transport, busi- 2009, he detained four others sus- Thus, 1Malaysia consists of eight ness, computer and related ser- pected of involvement with basic values namely a Culture of vices - to produce a non-ethnic- ‘Jemaah Islamiah’ (JI) (Nutgraph, Excellence, Perseverance, Humil- based economic podium. So- 17 July 2009). Najib still retains ity, Acceptance, Loyalty, cially, on his 100th day of the ISA and the ‘reform’ of the act Meritocracy, Education, and In- premiership, he promised to re- is to review the definition of tegrity. form six National Key Result Ar- “threats to national security and eas namely crime reduction, qual- public peace” and the period of From a quick reading of these val- ity of life, education, rural infra- detention. ues, I have come to one conclu- structure and public transport by sion: the commoditisation of mo- 2010-2012 (Sinchew daily, 27 July What is 1Malaysia? rality and ethnicity. Morality has 2009; merdekareview, 12 July 2009). become a commodity to exuberate According to my own reading, economic development at the ex- Besides that, Najib has pro- 1Malaysia consists of values that pense of democratisation and free- nounced 11 new people-oriented are ‘decent’. It is decent in the dom to express differences. For in- initiatives, among them a 20 per sense that it talks about values that stance, to move forward, a con- cent discount for frequent high- undergird a workable society that struction of a culture of excellence ways users; 44,000 low cost prioritises orthodoxy vis-à-vis is needed that emphasises houses; under the project of heterodoxy. According to Najib’s meritocracy, the principle of accu-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 9 racy (ketepatan), and performance- guarantee security, at the expense youths, the ugliness of corruption, based leadership (kepimpinan of dynamism, creativity, and dif- sexual harassment incidents, the berasaskan prestasi). The system of ferences. current political chaos in Malay- education functions as a mecha- sia, the hardship of everyday life nism to cultivate a culture of read- Alternative caused by price-hikes of essential ing in order to ‘open’ up society’s terrain of politics items, the water issue, the health mindset not for creativity but for issue, and many others. 15Malay- the ability to gain knowledge to Thus far, I have talked about 1Ma- sia showcased the realities of ev- face challenges. Besides that, edu- laysia as a concept that the pow- eryday life in Malaysia and the cation (read: ‘vision schools’) al- ers-that-be are attempting to cre- ‘many’ versions of Malaysia – the lows for interaction that ate: one platform of security for differences not only in ethnicity emphasises mutual values (nilai control. It seems that society or the but in politics, the economy and bersama) so that stability will be citizens are powerless and pas- social aspects. retained without chaos. sive. My other observation sees a The most important feature of 15 sort of a resistance that manifests Malaysia was its honesty in ex- To build a trusting society, loyalty an alternative voice from the bot- pressing ideas and views without is a prerequisite - especially to the tom-up reflecting another version a constructed version of what leader. But it requires a leader of Malaysia. Malaysia should and should not with capability. Critiques can be be. In his blog, Pete Teo asserts, asserted but should be done in a Remember the recent production “…did we change? Or had it been proper manner within a proper of 15Malaysia produced by Pete a myth all along? It does not mat- timing. Thus a leader is someone Teo and directed by 15 Malaysian ter. What matters is that we dwell who is capable of in a cesspool of corruption, hy- uniting and bring- pocrisy and stagnation. And ing about peace and Pete TeoTeoPete since this is home, one is duty- order. Trust then bound to protect it from further di- should be followed lapidation. So I recruited film- by acceptance, makers, actors, musicians, activ- which is defined as ists and politicians to make 15 the acceptance of dif- socio-political short films. We ferences, voluntary called it 15Malaysia.” (http:// without dissatisfac- www.peteteo.com/weblog/ tion. Tolerance is not ?p=575) In a nutshell, the project the goal as it only allows diversity to speak for itself accepts differences without interference. but cannot guaran- tee whether a person agree to criti- directors? The production was an In August 2009, a group of young cism, wholeheartedly or other- attempt to manifest to the audi- artistes called Lost Generation wise. Thus, a nation with diver- ences the many versions of Ma- Space (KL) in conjunction with sity such as Malaysia should act laysia. The project attempts to en- Anak-anak Kota (Penang) in unison as a group rather than compass all the characteristics of organised a project called be tolerant of one another as indi- Malaysian society. It provides “Bangun” at the clan jetty of viduals. space to articulate the reality of Penang. A series of activities were everyday life in Malaysia to mani- presented: workshops in poetry, In sum, Najib’s 1Malaysia is to fest the people’s own version of dance, Chinese opera, installation make moral values as commodi- their lives and histories. It covers art, mural paintings, perfor- ties to achieve economic develop- the religious ignorance of Malay- mances, and presentations focus- ment through the construction of sians, the ethnic biases of both ing on local history, heritage, com- a society undergirded by a ca- Malays and non-Malays, the po- munity, and culture. pable leader (with centralised tential love attraction between dif- power) to ensure these values ferent ethnic groups among The unique feature of the Bangun

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 10 crafted with look-alike forms of learn the differences surrounding characters that were yet different our environments. They allow us to represent Penang’s diverse lan- to recognise our problems and guages consisting of Malay, En- challenges without marginalising glish, Mandarin, and Tamil the others and limiting ourselves (Sinchew, 22 August 2009). In one into one version of a cosmetic con- of the mural workshops entitled struction of a ‘nation.’ “Beralun” by Aisyah Baharuddin, the message was among others to The myth-making of 1Malaysia is “increase understanding of the to construct ‘a culture,’ ‘a nation,’ importance to encourage indi- and ‘a history.’ The threat of 1Ma- vidual responsibility (of the jet- laysia is that it develops a mecha- ties),” while the project on “Map- nism for the state to control our ping the Penang Clan Jetties” in- histories, our live experiences, our volved local children linking ideas, and our differences to guar- their personal experiences at the antee the ‘quality of life’, ‘kestabilan jetties and mapping out the loca- negara’ (national security), tions of the jetties in order to en- ‘ kemajuan ekonomi’ (economic de- project was that it manifested a courage understanding and ap- velopment), and ‘perpaduan’ (na- bottom-up, community-oriented preciation of clan jetty culture and tional unity). platform of exerting an alternative customs through the real life ex- voice to illustrate people’s local periences of the younger genera- How about diversity that cel- history - in this case, the surviv- tion. The project also involved ebrates creativity and innovation ing heritage and people’s life his- marginalised groups such as in arts and cultures, honest de- tories. In addition it revitalised former drug addicts of the Fallen bates on issues concerning every- abandoned areas of Malaysia Leaves Theatre Company per- day lives, the openness of space through contemporary arts prac- forming their stories and for democracy, and participation tices. “Bangun,” is translated as struggles. (http://bangunproject. without fear and intervention, re- “to rise up”, reflecting a sort of wordpress.com) spect for dynamism without im- resistance toward modernisation posing one standard rule? and the encroachment of Epilogue industrialisation that threaten the How about critical dialogues and survival of old buildings, heri- Such projects do not manifest one debates, accountability and tages structures and people’s Malaysia but many versions of checks and balances, transpar- lives. Through arts and music, Malaysia, which is closer to the ency, a free and fair platform for a Bangun attempted to insert the con- reality of people’s life experiences holistic and impartial conduct of sciousness of the disappearing and diversities. Furthermore, diversities? history of the clan jetties, its role they attempt to manifest a sort of in Penang’s development, and its resistance against the state’s cre- As the Aliran singers once sang: people’s life experiences. ation of one national culture such “We will remember how you came as 1Malaysia that prioritises his- into power, WE ARE NOT FOOLS, For example, one of the visual art tory from the centre. The involve- BUBAR, BUBAR, BUBAR, performances presented a struc- ment of children and former drug BUBAR, BUBAR.” Bubar indeed ture of bones, representing a re- addicts manifestsing many ver- we will - for an honest, real, di- newed life of clan jetty inhabitants sions of Malaysian history and verse, and lived Malaysia. q who migrated from southern stories besides the slogan of China to Malaya as their homes. “perpaduan etnik”. Rather than fo- (Sinchew, 1 September 2009) An- cusing on economic development Aliran member CY is a other presentation was by a Tai- and stability, these projects tell regular contributor. wanese installation artist: she the reality of order but also chaos constructed four fishing boats and allow us to interpret and

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 11 PUBLIC TRANSPORT Urban transport alternatives for Penang Looking outside the box for solutions to traffic congestion in the Pearl of the Orient by cheahst

he need for a third link gives the impression of expedi- Return of the ferry TT between ency, never mind if the whole jour- TTT and the mainland is un- ney actually took longer than if An alternative would be to fully deniable. The first link, they had used the ferry. develop and exploit Penang’s the ferry service, has served unique untapped potential, the Penang well since 1920. As the The reality is, a second bridge will littoral transportation option. transportation mode started to not solve Penang Island’s trans- Most of Penang’s commercial and change from mainly pedestrian portation woes. It is a parochial high density residential area lie and mass public transport (buses, knee-jerk reaction: bridge con- on the eastern and northern trams, trains) to private motor ve- gested, build another. The issue coasts. It would make sense to hicles (sedans and motorcycles), is catering to mass transit and fully exploit and upgrade the ferry there has been an increasing need nothing short of a holistic ap- services by building two addi- to cater to this growing trend in proach will make any dent into tional terminals at personal transportation between the burgeoning problem of con- and . Ferry services the mainland and the island. gestion. can depart from either Hence, when the Penang Bridge Butterworth or Batu Kawan and was opened in 1985, there was a Empirical data has shown the berth at Georgetown or Batu huge jump in users and ferry rid- bridge traffic to be extremely vola- Maung. The traffic direction and ership took a nose dive. tile and susceptible to congestion. volume may be adjusted to suit Logically, it is not unexpected. If situational needs. This arrange- Drivers like to feel that they are in one lane out of two is rendered un- ment has four distinct advantages control, and a moving vehicle usable (e.g. accident, vehicle over the bridge: breakdown and • not prone to congestion due to maintenance), then lane closure. the traffic flow is • may be managed to suit situ- likely to be reduced ational needs (direction and by as much as 800 per frequency). cent! Imagine two • fully scalable, i.e. more ferries lanes running at may be purchased as needed 80km/hr reduced to a and to take advantage of new single lane at 20km/ maritime technology. hr because traffic will • more efficient and reduces en- slow down to merge vironmental impact (fuel usage and drivers to rubber- by individual private vehicles, neck. bridge super-structure)

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 12 This ferry service may be further friendly stops; completed by passenger-only otherwise the speedboats to provide service will get • littoral transport to service increasingly high-density areas, e.g. sluggish as the , short actual and Bayan Bay/Bayan Lepas travel times pale Free Industrial Zone, Batu against the huge Kawan new township cumulative sta- • an inland boat service up to tion dwell times. Komtar by fully developing the existing canal up to to Prangin For a rail service Mall. to succeed eco- • complementary service to boost nomically, it has the development of Pulau to run through high-density areas much easier to board a bus Jerejak and the adjacent and requires feeder bus services than to access the boarding Queensbay area. In fact, there to ferry passengers from housing platform of rail stations. Also, are already existing canals areas to the rail stations. bus stops may be placed at within this area that can be closer intervals (150-300m) used for light passenger traf- It would be far more cost effective compared to rail (400m- fic. to redevelop the mini-bus service 1500m) which is better suited to densely 5) Fully scalable to meet demands Intra-city transport: built townships like Penang. Con- and to take advantage of One-track mind sider the following advantages of emerging technologies. Buses minibuses over the monorail for and fleet mix may be config- Feeder service into and beyond inner-city travel for the following ured for different needs and to these ‘beach-heads’ will best be reasons: adopt latest propulsion tech- served by mini-buses. Mono- 1) Mini-buses may be imple- nologies as these continue to rails require megalithic struc- mented in the blink of an eye evolve. tures that may look impressive and at a fraction of the cost 6) Better use of existing resources: but they require expensive con- compared to the monorail. The many existing bus stops and struction outlays and conten- traffic and general environ- bus routes may be upgraded tious land requisitions that will ment could well become intol- and complemented with better eclipse and cut an unwieldy erable during the construction amenities that are also syner- swath across much of the heri- of the rail system. gistic with bicycle use and tage buildings and structures of 2) Greater penetration: mini- walking - whereas a rail ser- inner city George Town. Once buses can provide valuable vice would be exclusive and the track alignments are set, it is service deep into housing es- take up valuable inner city extremely costly to re-route to tates that may be inaccessible space permanently. meet shifting population demo- to rail. 7) Promotes revitalisation of in- graphics. 3) Greater flexibility and highly ner city George Town! Day- robust: frequency can be tai- trippers and tourists would Generally, rails (i.e. from the light lored and capacity re-routed to have more opportunities to rail, through commuter rail, to meet diurnal and hourly direc- take pictures, enjoy the many heavy rail) are better suited to haul tional demands. Bus break- heritage sites. They would be higher ridership volumes between downs can be easily replaced more inclined to step off to ex- a few selective stations amongst and would have relatively in- plore from street level buses high density areas such as busi- significant impact compared to than elevated rail platforms. ness and commercial districts and rail. high density high-rise apartment 4) Easier accessibility for the Granted, mini-buses have not en- areas rather than neighbourhood physically challenged: It is gendered an endearing appeal to

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 13 Quick facts: The Facts:

Proposals: Original Penang Bridge Second Penang Bridge Cost: less than RM1B Cost: RM4-5 billion Length: 13.5 km Length: 24km Capacity: dual lanes, 80kph, Capacity: dual lanes, 100kph? Currently: 70k to 100k daily

Penang Monorail Penang ferries Cost: RM1 billion? Cost: RM14M each (RM3b will buy 214 ferries with change to Length: ? spare) Capacity: ? Frequency: 8minutes average Capacity: 30 cars each deck, or 350 passengers on upper deck. Travel time: 15-20 minutes

Mini-bus:Mini-bus:Mini-bus: Cost: RM300k each? (RM1b will buy 3,330 mini buses with change to spare) Capacity: approx 40 Travel time: Approximately 30km/hr average

The author welcomes further discussion on the above as an alternative to solving Penang’s traffic woes as he is a true- blue Penangite who has the state’s interest close to his heart.

most people but, truth be told, it is modes of transport which are bet- Conclusion not a fault of the transport mode ter suited to Penang’s build-up but the failure in administrating and lay of the land. There is much to be gain by tak- and regulating it. ing another look at the Reasonably priced, ample park- revitalisation of existing utilities As an added bonus, a well- ing can be made available adja- and amenities rather than engag- planned integrated inner-city cent to ferry and minibus termi- ing in the construction of mega transportation system will cer- nals. A touch-and-go system projects to solve our transporta- tainly boost George Town’s world may be used to pay for parking tion needs. Low-hanging fruit can heritage appeal. as well as ferry or mini-bus be picked at a relatively low out- The unifying factor fares. Discounted parking rates lay. The key is to manage and to promote the use of public make the best of what we already transport could be given as in- have instead of building more or The central theme in addressing centives. This will be politically relying on elevated rail to rise traffic congestion is to reduce car more palatable in managing above the congestion. user-ship (versus car ownership). congestion than Restricted Zone The inner city traffic snarl is due This will require two essential el- Entry (CBD) charges or car own- to poor traffic and pavement man- ements: alternative transport and ership surcharges (e.g. agement. The low traffic through- ample parking. Singapore’s COE), which has flow (capacity) is due to pavement negative connotations as ‘pun- encroachment by traders, illegal Minibuses and ferries make viable ishment’ or as a means of filling parking and obstruction, and due and efficient complementary the government’s coffers. to the lack of Tar McAdam.q

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 14 ENVIRONMENT Climate of tragedy While natural disasters are occurring almost simultaneously around the world and nations need to come together to save our planet, Malaysia remains on the sidelines refusing to recognise the looming catastrophe. by Angeline Loh

t’s raining, it’s pouring, II the ground is getting III more and more soggy; very soon the water is ankle deep, then knee deep, then thigh deep, then waist deep, then chest deep, suddenly neck deep…you slip on the muddy ground and are carried away, drowned in the swirling flood currents.

Did we see this coming? Yes, we did but some of us refused to be- lieve predictions by the “eco-ec- centrics” and “prophets of doom” that seemed morbid beyond rea- cal environment. There were cal protection than the older, long son. These predictions were NGOs in Malaysia at that time established, more conservative na- branded unreliable and down- that were already aware of the ture societies. Environmental pro- right threatening. Who did they impending disaster poised to en- tection subsequently became a threaten? What did they threaten? gulf the world 20 years into the political issue when the Green Why are the developed and un- future. They were not the only Party was founded in Europe. der-developed nations so wor- ones. ried? Why has the world gone to These long-standing nature con- Copenhagen? There was an ecological conser- servation societies were set up by vation and protection movement European pioneers interested in The first time I learned about the awakening around the world discovering and studying the flora prospect of climate change was with the birth of Greenpeace, with and fauna of the colonies. way back in the 1980s. The cli- their “Rainbow Warriors”, and Organisations like the National mate debate had probably started other modern environmental so- Geographic Society (1888) and many years before when some very cieties and organisations that pre- Malaysian Nature Society *(est.13 observant person, who may not ceded the animal rights move- January1940 http://www.mns.org) even have been a scientist, noticed ment. They took a more revolution- and later *The World Wide Fund subtle uncharacteristic changes ary – activist approach towards for Nature (WWF) (est.11 Septem- occurring in her/his local ecologi- nature conservation and ecologi- ber 1961 http://www.panda.org)

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 15 grew from these traditional colo- out weighing or examining the The 1980s may be hailed as a nial roots. However, the phenom- limits to which the country could landmark decade in Malaysian enon of climate change, extinction afford to go without sacrificing history; when global economic of wild life and flora has made our economic, multi-cultural, po- recession demonstrated to us that these organisations extend their litical and ecological cohesion. To our economic house was build on mandates to cover nature conser- cap this, the government un- the quick-sands of foreign invest- vation and protection advocacy. wisely ignored the need for proper ment. Foreign investment was al- and just democratic planning in ways given preference over devel- In Malaysia, the modern genesis consultation with the people. opment of local industries. For- of the movement was conceived Worse still, it was fashionable to eign investors enjoyed every in- within the consumer movements. suppress such criticism - or what centive the government could give NGOs like the Consumers Asso- the authorities perceived as criti- e.g. tax exemptions and amnesties. ciation of Penang (CAP) diversi- cism - with the ISA sledgehammer The trade union movement came fied its mandate of advocating on to appease foreign investors. under attack again since the 1952 consumer rights issues to the ef- Emergency. Sadly, the trade union fects of consumerism on the envi- Blind, deaf and dumb movement appears to have fallen ronment. It realised, in the 1970s development into complete disarray from which and 80s, that in the race towards it has never recovered. development, Malaysian society In fact, it was this trend and the was pushing itself to become consumer fall-out that gave rise to With solid foreign investor protec- highly consumerist with all stops the consumer movement, with tion put in place, we have ac- unplugged. From this, CAP found burgeoning industrial develop- quired wealth on the backs of lo- it necessary to set up a subsidiary ment that created larger markets cal as well as migrant labour in solely concerned with ecological in developing countries for manu- an environment of thriving cor- issues i.e. Sahabat Alam Malay- factured goods. The R & D boom ruption, human rights violation sia (SAM). in developed countries created a and even higher consumerism new kind of international that sees ecological disaster as an The exposure of manufacturers’ economy that was very like the evil to be tolerated, as long as it tactics to increase consumption colonial economic system of the has no direct impact on our indi- using e.g. planned obsolescence 19th century despite the attain- vidual lives. Our throw-away (V. Packard, “Wastemakers” ment of independence by former habits die hard and few would 1960.http://www.en.wikipedia.org) European colonies in Africa and take the trouble to inculcate and in manufactured products - by Asia from the 1900s to the late practice eco-friendly lifestyles. social critics and consumer rights 20th century. Many of us wait for the govern- advocates like Vance Packard ment to lead the way. The govern- (1914 -1996) and Ralph Nader in Thus where former colonial gov- ment waits for the private sector the US attempted to change the ernments had withdrawn their to lead it. mentality of a rich throw-away political control, developed coun- society where re-use or recycling try multinational corporations There is something going on in was out of vogue and mountains rushed in to fill the gap in the flow Copenhagen: small under-devel- of useful garbage were becoming of economic wealth to the First oped island nations are leading a increasingly difficult to dispose of. World. The gush of foreign invest- protest by poorer countries threat- ment into developing countries ened by rising sea-levels - an ef- Yet, Malaysian society, in imita- like Malaysia, Singapore and fect of climate change - against de- tion of the US, and the societies of Thailand from the United States veloped superpowers that seek to other developed countries, egged and Western Europe peaked, and maintain their comparatively ex- on by government, followed this governments of these developing travagant and highly consump- superficial path to modernisation countries did everything to please tive sophisticated lifestyles and and perceived development. We the foreign investors including higher standards of living. On 13 rushed to join the race without the suppressing the warning voices December 2009, over international basic and vital safeguards, with- of ecological doom. media broadcast, the representa-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 16 mune to its significance and im- methane gas (a green house gas) plication. emissions contributing to climate change. So should we stop eating That ecological preservation and rice? Deforestation is blamed environmental protection are bot- partly on poor firewood collec- tom priorities on the government’s tors, whiles licences are handed list is more than obvious. Our na- out like sweets to large timber tional car manufacturer, Proton, companies to legally log forests has come out with a new model with little serious monitoring and the “Ezora” MPV and is going to enforcement about replanting. export these and more to Thailand This brings to mind the public in future in a new trade deal be- educational commercial alleging tween our governments. As an af- that jungles are lost through ille- ter thought, the Deputy Premier gal logging. adds that eco-friendly features will be included and hopes to go The megalomania continues with into eco-friendly car manufactur- mega projects and high-rise tower tive of Tuvalu at the Copenhagen ing in future. blocks steadily marching across climate talks made an impas- the horizon, blocking out once sce- sioned plea to the US and the in- All these wonderful eco-friendly nic views and sunlight on the ternational community to agree on plans are for the future. How long ground. The concrete jungle con- a legally binding solution on cli- term are those plans? What do we tinues its rampant growth. De- mate change to save his country do with our current eco-un- spite the numerous landslips that from total oblivion. (ntv7 News) friendly transport system where come with recent frequent torren- the private car is the star choice tial showers, the tragedy of the Riots broke-out amongst peaceful vehicle because no sensible pub- Bukit Antarabangsa and High- protesters outside the meeting lic transport system exists? land Towers barely 10 years ago, venue in Copenhagen with Dan- and the landslip that destroyed a ish police accusing particular In its obsessive support of our car part of a Mara college in Bentong, groups of being troublemakers industry, the BN Government has Pahang on 6 December 2009 (Ma- and counter accusations of police built numerous roads, overhead laysian Mirror 8 Dec.2009), the de- brutality hurled in return. Yet, in roads and proposed second termination to continue hill-slope Malaysia few see the significance bridge links (including proposed and foot-hill building apparently of the Copenhagen climate talks. crooked bridges, now scrapped) remains unthwarted in the wild to cater for unimaginable hordes pursuit of profit. Our backyard litter of vehicles across the country. Setting up a ‘Green Party’ by BN We are preoccupied with our im- With minimum monitoring of the sympathisers to show the world mediate situation including the extent of air pollution levels con- that our politics is fashionable is political ‘sandiwara’ in the tributing to green house gas emis- merely for show, as these ‘paper Barisan Nasional and the sions, private citizens are pres- camps. Many sured by hard sell into car owner- prefer to live their lives today as ship. Then, there is the issue of they did yesterday for better or for open burning that is blamed worse. We have no time or incen- squarely on paddy farmers whiles tive for internal reflection or evalu- large plantation corporations ation of whether we are a cause of seem overlooked. our odd and unpredictable weather conditions. A tragedy is One of the most laughable allega- taking place around us, yet most tions posted on a blog was that of us remain impervious and im- wet rice growing causes high Continued on page 23

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 17 ALIRAN MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION FORM

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Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 18 MPs and Rakyat: Who needs whom?

Politicians all over the world come in different shapes and sizes and different levels of IQ and hon- esty and integrity. In developed countries the ma- jority demonstrate honesty and integrity and are ser- vice-oriented. The rule of law operates at all levels of national life. So the peoples’ representatives are transparent in their actions and are held account- able in the performance of their duties.

However, in Malaysia where the powers-that-be show scant respect for the Constitution and the rule of law with the connivance and collusion of a mal- functioning and ethically-challenged judiciary and police force, thus creating an ideal turf for BN poli- ticians to indulge in blatant corruption, abuse of power, cronyism, nepotism and violation of every kind. Those who walk the corridors of power may literally get away with murder. They are never held accountable for their misdeeds and those guilty never resign. The absence of shame among them is mind-boggling. Their usual mantra is: “The people need me”- as if they carried out a referandum to ascertain the wishes of the people.

The Auditor-General’s report provides damning evidence of how the public sector and the BN politi- cians have formed a lethal combination to rob the nation of its wealth, rape the environment, help themselves generously to the rakyat’s land, among a catalogue of other crimes.

The BN politicians over the last 52 years have given

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 19 themselves fantastic allowances least.... told what the purpose of the bill- and perks. Table on the previous boards were, responded, “You page provides evidence of what Two former ministers of transport, Malaysians have a weird sense of the BN government has given to Ling Liong Sik and Chan Kong promotion!” Come to think of it, their MPs. Choy, and Phang gave moronic billboards portraying kerbaus answers to the Public Accounts grazing in a paddy field against When our television shows clips Committee. the backdrop of greenery and hills of Parliament in action, the num- would probably present the seren- ber of empty seats from the PMs Were the foxes put in charge of the ity and tranquillity of rural Ma- and ministers’ ranks is simply chicken coop? laysia. astounding. Often ministers are not present to answer questions TaxpayerTaxpayerTaxpayer Tourism Minister Ng Yen Yen is raised by the Opposition. I sup- to be congratulated for launching pose ministers and MPs sign in “You don’t need brains to be a the Ministry’s website, and, having qualified for the al- Minister of Transport because the www.fabfood1Malaysia.com to pro- lowances, disappear. Such seem- civil servants have them.” mote Malaysian food to the world. ingly below-par ministers and - Ernest Marples, British politician. Yes, the melting pot has a rich va- MPs are apparently getting re- (This quote is supplied by the riety of ethnic dishes like satay, warded to “ponteng” Parlia- writer - ed) nasi lemak, roti canai and bah kut ment! In fact, if not for Parlia- teh which tourists will find ap- ment, it alleged that many MPs Q Q Q Q Q pealing. would find it difficult to earn an honest living! Promoting tourism Detractors and cynics may say we are inviting people to dig their Now there is talk about an in- The Tourism Ministry is well grave with their teeth. crease in pay, allowances and known for wasting colossal perks ostensibly to make them amounts of money on fanciful but I hope in the spirit of 1Malaysia, more efficient and less corrupt. useless tourism promotion the Ministry continues to promote projects at both state and federal the rich diversity of Malaysia. Ladies and gentlemen, who needs levels. Malaysia must be portrayed as a who – the suffering rakyat needs multi-ethnic, multi-religious and the MPs or the self-serving MPs Do you remember huge roadside multi-cultural society – a mini need the rakyat? billboards displaying portraits of United Nations. top leaders defacing the land- Q Q Q Q Q scape? A German tourist, when - TotaTota-

PKFZ scam

I just cannot believe the stagger- ing amount of taxpayers’ money siphoned off by the scoundrels entrusted with ensuring the suc- cess of the PKFZ project.

It appears the rogues commenced their nefarious activities almost as soon as the project was launched. The role of two prime ministers, Mahathir and Abdullah, in ap- parently not taking prompt action is very irresponsible to say the

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 20 ALIRAN AGM Uphold religious freedom and tolerance, urges Aliran President

n his keynote address wake of the ‘cow head’ inci- secretary and Anil Netto as III to the AGM, Aliran dent in Shah Alam which was honorary treasurer. President P Rama- a most regretful and even dan- krishnan expressed re- gerous move on the part of an The new executive committee gret over what happened in irresponsible and racist group comprises: Perak where the BN controver- of people. sially took over from the • Dr Prema Devaraj Pakatan Rakyat following the The AGM also expressed con- • Angeline Loh ‘jumping’ of three state assem- cern over the politicisation of • Andrew Wong bly members. This political de- the Malaysian Anti-Corruption • Dr Soon Chuan Yean velopment has effectively ne- Commission (MACC) which • Dr Yeoh Seng Guan gated the wishes of the major- has resulted in its pursuit of • Dr Andrew Aeria ity of the Perak people who many ‘small fry’ to the neglect • Leena Mohan voted the PR in at the 2008 gen- of the big fish. • Sarajun Hoda Abdul eral election. Hassan Ramakrishnan was re-elected • Amiruddin Ahmad Ramakrishnan also empha- president of Aliran at the • Dr Subramaniam Pillay sised the importance of the 33rd annual general meeting • Ch’ng Teng Liang. right and freedom of religion of the human rights group as well as the need for all Ma- today. Francis Xavier was selected as laysians to develop tolerance honorary auditor. and respect for each other’s The AGM also elected Dr religions and differences in Francis Loh Kok Wah as hon- Dr Francis Loh beliefs. This matter was orary secretary, Dr Mustafa K Hon Secretary brought up at the AGM in the Anuar as honorary assistant 29 November 2009

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 21 INTER-RELIGOUS Regretful bigotry and intolerance The majority of Malays are accommodating, tolerant, and peace-loving; they do subscribe to the intolerance propagated by unruly elements in our midst wrecking our unity by P Ramakrishnan

he past one year has edly involving Khir Toyo. There TT seen and witnessed hap- are other glaring examples of TTT penings that do not mind-boggling corruption that bring cheer to our hearts. had unsurprisingly escaped the If anything, it has been a year of scrutiny of the MAAC. disappointments and disillu- sions. Our judiciary is such a let-down that Malaysians are wondering Greed and corruption was made whether the right people have use of to topple a people’s govern- been appointed to dispense jus- ment in Perak. In the process, the tice without fear or favour. Some legislative assembly was dragged of the decisions were blatantly ap- in the mud and made a laughing palling and baffling even to the stock without any compunction. legal fraternity who understand Goons were deployed to evict a the intricacies of the finer points duly elected Speaker of the Assem- of the law. Certain judges are ap- laration that a minority commu- bly in order to foist a pretender as parently incapable of living up to nity cannot have a place of wor- Speaker. their oath of office in delivering ship in an area where a majority judgments so much so the whole of another faith resides. It is an is- The much-awaited Malaysian judicial process is brought to pub- sue that challenges the right of a Anti-Corruption Commission did lic contempt. The rule of law, it community to profess and prac- not live up to the expectations of seems, is not only trampled upon tise its faith as a matter of funda- the Malaysian public. We thought by the executive but also equally mental right as conferred by the that it would do a better job than ignored by the judiciary at times Federal Constitution. No person its predecessor, the Anti-Corrup- when it mattered most. has a right to deny another his or tion Agency. Giving a new label her place of worship. to an old institution that was fa- The cow-head incident mous for going after small fish It is a universal right that is pro- cannot make it do wonders. As But of all that has happened that claimed in the Universal Declara- they say old habits die hard. It is has really disturbed me and tion of Human Rights which has still seen as going after the oppo- caused me much anguish is the been ratified by the Malaysian sition rather than the big timers. cow-head incident. What hap- government. Article 18 states, Teoh Beng Hock and the RM2,700 pened is not merely the display of was a case that was given top pri- a cow head to oppose a legitimate “Every person has the right of ority over millions of ringgit alleg- right of a community but the dec- thought, conscience and

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 22 religion....and in public or private wrecking our unity. Continued from page 17 to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and Don’t they know that the Holy observance.” Prophet even invited Christians to heroes’ lend full support to the in- carry out their rituals within his stallation of nuclear power plants No person or community, mosque when the Christians in the country. whether in the majority or minor- wanted to go out into the desert to ity, has any right to oppose the perform their mass. If the Holy Do these puppets really know construction of a place of worship. Prophet can invite them into his what this entails and what dev- It simply doesn’t have that right. own place of worship, what is so astation a nuclear accident can objectionable in having a temple bring before they sing the praises Religion is personal, it is essen- quite a distance from the residen- of this dangerous alternative? tial and it is an integral part of a tial area of Muslims? According Many developed countries in- person and a community. No per- to Hisham al-Zoubeir, what the creasingly shun nuclear energy son or group of people has any Holy Prophet did “was not mere from hard experience and knowl- right to oppose it or deny others tolerance; this was respect, if not edge of nuclear devastation. The the right to have a temple, church, acceptance. He met them with Japanese banned it altogether af- mosque, gudwara or synagogue. what he considered to be absolute ter the atomic destruction of truths, but not as a bigot”. Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the This is why it was so grossly un- Allies in 1945. just for some misguided bigots to What happens if in Europe the drag a cow’s head to protest the majority of Christians take a stand Now, when natural disasters oc- relocation of a Hindu temple from to disallow a place of worship of cur almost simultaneously in so Section 19 to Section 23 in Shah another community that professes many places in the world and na- Alam. They threatened bloodshed a different faith, will we say that tions need to come together to find if the construction of the temple is a right of that community? If a workable solution to save our went ahead in a 90 per cent Malay- India adopts a similar undemo- planet, Malaysia remains on the Muslim neighbourhood. cratic stand and refuses to allow sidelines refusing to recognise the the worship of another faith in a looming catastrophe. We should Let-down by PM predominantly Hindu commu- add our voice in support of the nity, would we condone that? disadvantaged poor nations fac- Unfortunately, the Prime Minister ing imminent extinction, but the did not go on TV to condemn the It is a matter of great regret that government fears upsetting for- highly provocative and unbecom- our top leaders did not take an eign investors. Our dependence on ing behaviour of these 50-odd ir- uncompromising stand and con- them is apparently addictive as responsible protestors. This is demn the misled recalcitrants in the Government seeks to increase what the PM should have done our midst. its fix and will continue to do so immediately to send the message at the rakyat’s and the world’s ex- that Malaysia will not tolerate ir- Calling the cow a stupid animal pense. q responsible elements who to criticise the state government threaten our unity and harmony. displays gross ignorance and stu- pidity. q What is wrong in having a place Aliran exco member of worship in a Malay-majority Angeline Loh highlights area? The majority of Malays are Aliran president P our apathy towards en- accommodating, tolerant, and Ramakrishnan delivered vironmental degradation peace-loving Malaysians who the above message during and climate change as an have lived in harmony with other Aliran’s annual general urgent issue that Malay- communities in this country. They meeting on 29 November sians should be aware of do not subscribe to such intoler- 2009.2009.2009. and consider. ance as propagated by these un- ruly elements who are bent on

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 23 EDUCATION Special education: Changing our attitudes

An observational report on the situation at Taman Sinar Harapan, Kuala Kubu Baru by Khor Ai-Na, Akemi Utsumi and Terri Faust

A Look into the Past – What has happened?

Taman Sinar Harapan (TSH) Kuala Kubu Baru (KKB) started in 1983 with 120 children but the num- ber grew to about 200 in less than four years. The institution was set up specifically for those with severe disabilities. Volunteers from NGOs, includ- ing the authors, started getting involved as early as 1984.

Living conditions were deplorable at that time where mortality was about five per month. Residents were bathed (hosed down) with cold water on concrete floors at 6.00am in the morning. Children lying in their cots were fed in groups with a ladle shoved down their throats. Some residents were kept naked because it was a chore to change them. It was not uncommon to see children sharing cots, being tied up or playing with their own faeces.

Developments and programmes

Ms. Akemi Utsumi (a JOCV – Japan Overseas Co- operation Volunteer - with TSH Seremban at that time) recommended the placement of full time JOCV duced by Ms. Ayako. The institution’s then Assis- volunteers at TSH KKB. This two-year full-time tant Director, Mr Maniam Chettiar, proposed the placement began in 1986 with volunteer Ms. Hitomi, Group Homes (GH) in the community project but it followed by Ms. Ayako, Ms. Michiko and Ms. Junko. was initially rejected by JKM (WelfareDepartment) HQ. However, it was later accepted upon re-sub- Then, getting rid of the stench, safety, cleanliness mission under Ms. Michiko’s name. The GH project and hygiene were the focus of Ms Hitomi’s work. in KKB proved that people with severe disabilities Classroom activities and programmes were intro- could enjoy quality life in the community. Residents

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 24 even ran a stall in the local pasar malam. These ini- tion must have access to meaningful activities as tiatives were made possible with the grassroots di- part of their daily routine - 24 hours in the same rect involvement of the Assistant Director. Accord- environment for a week/month will make any- ing to Mr Maniam, the GH scheme has even worked one crazy! Life is short but surely it can be made out to be a cheaper option. more meaningful and productive. d) Increase staff–client ratio to ensure quality care - Unfortunately, the GH project was discontinued This means increasing the number of direct care- soon after Mr. Maniam’s transfer to TSH Jubilee. [Mr. givers not gardeners and administrators! Maniam was in TSH KKB from 1986 to 1992]. Fortu- e) Family responsibilities - Policies must be made nately, the independent living concept of group clear to families of residents and there must be homes had lingered on and several more capable strict enforcements e.g. mandatory home visits residents were able to enjoy having their own space to the family during festive seasons; enforce the or room within the TSH KKB. maximum three years residential placement. Work with the resident’s family during the in- When some of us visited TSH KKB in the early 1990s, terim period of his/her stay at the institution to we were pleased that the anticipated stench no prepare for his/her eventual return after a desig- longer greeted us. However, we also did not see any nated time. classroom activities running. We noticed that there f) Care with a heart – The use of chains, canes and were two snoozelan rooms which had been set up cages must be prohibited as it is a clear violation with public donations but unfortunately, they were of basic human rights in this day and age. The locked. use of restraints which may help hyperactive or self-abusive children must always be a tempo- Over the years, there had been some bad publicity rary measure. in the Chinese press and more recently, in the En- g) Care with dignity – Dignity is about respecting glish press on the inhumane care at TSH KKB. It has the individual. This means that residents, regard- resulted in building renovations and of course ser- less of their severity, must be consulted as far as vice improvements. But these improvements have possible on issues affecting themselves. They been too slow and not up to the mark; new initia- must also be empowered and encouraged to make tives were unfortunately not sustained. informed decisions and choices. h) Institutional care for the severely disabled – If Today 26 years later, TSH KKB has violated almost this is still needed, then it should be provided all the articles of the UN Convention of the Rights of under the Ministry of Health as a hospital ser- Persons with Disabilities (UN-CRPWD) plus our vice. This will ensure that care is provided by very own Persons with Disability Act 2008. qualified medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, therapists, and dieticians instead of at- A Look at the Present tendants. – What can be done now? Recommendations on community care and sup- Recommendations on residential care portportport a) Policy of deinstitutionalisation – This future di- a) Family support – various options of services must rection must be made clear. If Malaysia is unable be made available to families before resorting to to provide quality residential care, then it is bet- institutionalisation. Financial, emotional and ter for us not to offer this service at all. practical support must be provided to enable the b) Small units - Intake into the current seven TSH child to stay with her/his family as far as pos- in the country should stop as institutionalisation sible such as the following: should be phased out. Steps must be made to- - Counselling and advice wards small-scale residential care for the cur- - Training on nursing care rent residents. - Financial aid for assistive technologies/equip- c) Meaningful activities - Residents in the institu- ment

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 25 - Regular home visits by therapists standing of disabilities in line with the concept - Buddy programmes with volunteers in the of 1Malaysia and the principle of an inclusive community society. - Community-based rehabilitation e) Family members must have access to professional - Therapy programmes in the homes consultation, be given various options of service - Home helper support delivery available in the community and be em- - Transportation support powered to make wise and informed decisions. - Meals-on-wheels service f) The individual with disability, however severe, - Day-care/training programmes must be involved in the process of decision-mak- - Short-term/overnight respite care ing and should not be left totally out of the pic- - Foster parents scheme ture. Alternative and augmentative communica- - Toy libraries tion systems (eg. Makaton, symbols and visual - etc. supports, Etran frames, electronic aids, talking b) Network with NGOs – Liaise closely with local mats, etc.) should be explored to assist with un- NGOs in the state for available support services. derstanding and expression. If none of the above is available in the local com- munity, outsource these support services by pro- g) Malaysia must realise the acute shortage of ex- viding financial assistance to local NGOs or pri- perts and invest more in human capital and pro- vate initiatives. vide for more medical, rehab and educational pro- c) Group homes – These should be set up in the fessionals i.e. psychologists, therapists, social local community, as close to the family as pos- workers and teachers. sible. Smaller units will foster closer relationships h) Universiti Perguruan Sultan Idris (UPSI), which and dignified living. Each resident should have trains special education teachers, is located in an individualised plan. Tanjong Malim, a mere 15-minute drive away from KKB. This provides an excellent opportu- Recommendations on human-capacity building nity for collaborative programmes as their re- sources should be tapped. a) Many of the staff at TSH are dedicated and com- mitted as can be proven by the number of years A Look towards the future of their service. They are certainly not to be – What must be changed? blamed for doing their job in providing daily care. They just need to be shown the right way to care. b) Directors and managers must not just be quali- Roles of the welfare department fied but must believe in what they are entrusted to do i.e. set direction for the provision of ser- We can always boast of the many types of activities vices. They must be exposed to all the best prac- we provide. While the variety and quantity may look tices overseas and all the good models locally good on paper, we will only be fooling ourselves if available and keep up with the global movement. the quality is below standard or pathetic. There must They must also be dynamic and resourceful in- be self-realisation: it is better for us to admit our novators in implementing programmes to weakness and do something about it realistically maximise the client’s potential. They cannot af- than to cover up and remain in disillusion. ford to makan gaji or ikut perintah blindly. c) Policy makers must have clear understanding of Acknowledgements and compliments must be given the clientele and all issues pertaining to the situ- to the Welfare Department for its initiatives and the ation. They must be wiling to accept construc- provision of services for the OKUs such as residen- tive criticism and comments and be bold to rec- tial care, training programmes, community- based tify the situation, make changes to policies and rehabilitation programmes, accessibility, advocacy, set forth new directions. job coaching, and independent living over the years. d) Politicians must create positive public aware- We cannot deny that the JKM has its hands full and ness and encourage change in society’s under- is overburdened with the overall welfare of the na-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 26 tion such as natural calamities, underprivileged chil- principle of inclusive education as spelt out in the dren, the elderly and vagrants. UN-CRPWD and the Malaysian PWD Act 2008.

Moreover, issues affecting OKUs should not remain JKM should focus on welfare issues of the OKUs e.g. under the jurisdiction of the Welfare Department disbursement of financial aid and counselling. for the simple reason that not all OKU issues are CBR/PDK under JKM can then concentrate on sup- welfare-related. In a major step to move away from a porting families and complement services such as charity-based and towards a rights-based approach, toy libraries, home visitations, provision of respite eventual disassociation with the Welfare Depart- care and group homes. ment may be deemed inevitable. SummarySummarySummary JKM just does not and will not have enough re- sources or the expertise to handle all specific mat- The UN-CRPWD and PWD Act 2008 have already ters pertaining to OKUs which can often be very dictated the way forward for people with disabili- complex. Many of the services which were initiated ties. Provision of services has to be founded on the by JKM have now grown beyond what it can pro- rights-based approach in an inclusive society. vide. JKM can no longer shoulder these responsi- bilities on its own and be expected to do a good job. The government should consider allocating disabil- ity allowances to the individual to enable them to EducationEducationEducation “buy” services. This will immediately empower the clients and their families. It will certainly force mar- We often wonder what the common perception is of ket competition which will instantaneously ensure people who have intellectual disabilities or those quality service deliveries. with severe or multiple disabilities. Do we think that their condition is beyond hope or do we sincerely Malaysia does not lack money or models of best prac- believe that they can learn? Our honest response tices in service deliveries. Yes, there is a lack of will somehow determine our action. trained personnel because there isn’t enough aware- ness on the importance and value of these people Conventionally, we have focused on their disabili- and their professions. However, many NGOs have ties. To move forward, we must learn to see the abil- proven that quality services can still be made pos- ity and potential within the individual. We believe sible despite the lack of funding and professionals. that all children are educable and trainable. The Where there is a will, there is a way. And it has to do Education Act 1996 (Sp Ed 1997) Regulation 3 has with attitudes. to be revoked as this discriminatory policy empow- ers the authorities to differentiate and label some Teaching and training may require academic quali- children as educable and uneducable. If at all, this fications and brain knowledge. But caring for people can only be ascertained professionally by qualified with disabilities, senior citizens, your neighbours, educational psychologists, certainly not by a desk the environment and even animals requires most officer! importantly the right attitude and a compassionate heart. q Education of OKUs should rightfully come under the purview of the Education Ministry. The current CBR/PDK programmes (under JKM) are predomi- nantly that of teaching 3Rs, activities of daily living Khor Ai-Na is Executive Director of Asia skills in a classroom environment. Over the past 20 Community Service (ACS), while Akemi years, CBR/PDK programmes have proven that chil- Utsumi and Terri Faust are volunteers at dren with disabilities are indeed educable! They ACS.The above paper was submitted at a should eventually be accepted by the Education Suhakam roundtable discussion Ministry. There should be no “discrimination” of children especially if we were to subscribe to the

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 27 TWO-PARTY SYSTEM Continued from page 40 all citizens to vote. In Britain, the the municipal elections of 1952. of feudal aristocrats and the mon- most advanced country of that era, arch and for a greater say in soci- the Reform Act of 1832 extended Despite being a relatively recent ety, this new elite enlisted the sup- voting rights to adult males who phenomenon, the democratic port of the “commoners” and rented propertied land of a certain revolution cannot be undone. campaigned against vested feudal value, so granting one in seven People all over the world have interests. They did this by argu- males in the UK voting rights. The come to accept the egalitarian con- ing for a more equal society and Representation of the People Act cept that all humans are “equal championing concepts such as no of 1918 lifted property restrictions before god” and have the right to taxation without representation, for voting for men, who could vote choose their government and the equality of all men, rule of law, at 21; however, women’s votes have a say in the way they are judgment by a jury made up of were given with these property governed. Thomas Jefferson’s fa- their peers and emancipation of restrictions and were limited to mous lines “We hold these truths slaves. those over 30. Women in Britain to be self evident, that all men are only won equal voting rights created equal, that they are en- The monarch cannot rule by de- through the Representation of the dowed by their Creator with cer- cree. All men and women are cre- People Act of 1928. tain unalienable Rights, that ated equal before God and have among these are Life, Liberty and an equal right to determine how In the United State, the 15th the pursuit of Happiness” has they are governed. This was the Amendment of the US Constitu- come to be accepted by a large essence of the bourgeois demo- tion in 1870 gave the right to vote majority of the world’s popula- cratic revolution, and it has to all citizens irrespective of colour tion! changed human society in a very or history of previous servitude. fundamental way! But black men faced considerable The source of the obstacles in exercising this right democratic Can the two-party system meet the as many states enacted laws re- “revolution” real needs of ordinary people? quiring proof of a certain level of literacy and the payment of taxes Karl Marx argued that the cam- “Workers of the world unite. You to qualify as a voter. There was paigns for universal suffrage were have nothing to lose apart from also the real threat of physical vio- an integral part of the struggle of your chains!” exhorted Marx in lence against black men who were a new elite for political hegemony. the Communist Manifesto in audacious enough to come for- Marx noted that the political move- 1948. Many progressive worker ward and vote. It took the Na- ments for the right to vote (and for leaders agreed with him that the tional Voting Rights Act of 1965 a curtailment of the arbitrary rule of the rich elite had to be over- to assure the voting rights of power of Kings and the Aristoc- come through a revolution of the blacks in several southern states. racy) started in the most economi- working peoples. Women in the US only won the cally advanced countries of the right to vote in 1920 through the time – England, France and But with the advent of universal 19th Amendment to the Constitu- America. suffrage, many leaders of the tion. working class began to question Marx’s view is that a new elite the need for revolution to advance So, the institution of universal group - the mercantile (traders) their cause. After all, they argued, suffrage, is a very recent phenom- and later the industrial capitalists since ordinary people make up enon, historically speaking – it – was emerging from feudal soci- the huge majority of the popula- has only been practised in the ety. This new elite had increasing tion, the real needs of the ordi- past 150 years of the past 7,000 economic power but were con- nary people would be addressed years of humankind’s written his- strained by the existing feudal by electing in a government that tory! In Malaya, ordinary people structures. To succeed in their is sensitive to the problems of the were first given the right to vote in struggle against the arbitrariness ordinary people. There is now no

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 28 need at all to organise for a revo- Lenin argued that the bourgeois why capitalist restoration was ac- lution as Karl Marx had advo- state apparatus must be complished so easily in these so- cated (Communist Manifesto) for “smashed” and a new State ap- cieties following the collapse of the the poor constitute the majority of paratus needs to be set up to Berlin Wall in 1989. voters. Change can come in stages implement changes in the inter- through the ballot box – socialism est of the workers – the “Dictator- The other major group - the Social by evolution. ship of the Proletariat” Democrats - took the Parliamen- tary route. The world witnessed But there were others in the social- [I am putting his ideas very tremendous improvement in the ist movement who disagreed with crudely – look at State and Revolu- working and living conditions of this view. Lenin for one argued tion for a proper exposition of these workers especially in Europe as strongly and eloquently as fol- views!] the Social Democratic parties lows managed to implement significant • State = Bureaucracy + Armed The verdict of history. reforms and institute a “Welfare body of men Which group State”. was right? • The State is not neutral. It is But since the collapse of the So- there to protect a certain class The Socialist Movement (Second viet Union in 1989, there has been interest. It is an instrument for International) split into two a significant move in the opposite the promotion of a particular camps. The Bolsheiviks suc- direction (the neoliberal attack on class and the suppression of ceeded in overthrowing the Czar benefits accorded to the ordinary other classes. and in expropriating the capital- people). Benefits given to workers ists and the landlords in their are being pulled back all over the • The existing States in the world country. This led initially to severe world including in Europe. Dis- all legitimise and protect the economic privations – industrial tribution of national income is property interests of the elite – production as well as food pro- again becoming skewed towards the Capitalists and the Land- duction dropped disastrously, the richest of the elites. lords. and there was famine. But after the initial period, the centrally So which group was correct? I • It is not enough for a workers’ planned Soviet economy grew at think it is not clear cut. The party to merely take over the a much faster rate than that of the Bolsheivik experiment in the USSR reins of power. One needs to Western economies, propelling demonstrated clearly that one can revamp the State apparatus it- the Soviet Union’s emergence as grow the economy and self. one of the two super-powers in the industrialise a nation without the world in the 1960s. capitalist class – i.e. capitalists are o The laws defining property dispensable, and all the drivel relationships need to be re- But democracy suffered. The “Pro- about the need for entrepreneur- written; letarian Dictator- o The privileges of the elected ship” of the Soviet representatives had to be Union deterio- curtailed for they tend to get rated to the dicta- co-opted by the elite (only torship of a bu- workman wages!); reaucratic elite o Make elected representa- that assumed to- tives more accountable – talitarian control “immediate recall”; of that society and o Transparency of the admin- completely stifled istration. Taking over of ad- political partici- ministrative functions by pation of the ordi- local councils of workers nary people. This and the ordinary people. is the main reason

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 29 ial skills to spur economic and should be taken from the hands tion. Because: technological growth is simply of individuals and corporations • your enemy may come into not true. But it cannot be denied and put under the control of ordi- power the next time and ex- that the KGB was vicious, and the nary people. That was for them pose all your misdeeds. Gulag did happen. The USSR was (Marx and Lenin) an essential a totalitarian police state where pre-requisite for the building of an • also “absolute power corrupts ordinary people were completely equitable and humane society. absolutely”. Limiting the time disenfranchised. Trotskyites Production must be for human a party stays in office helps would argue that the Bolsheivik need and not for corporate prof- curb excesses. experiment was derailed in the its! 1920s itself by a bureaucratic fac- Limitations/pitfalls tion organised around Stalin – Benefits of the of the two-coalition that it would have been possible two-party system system to widen and deepen the demo- cratic revolution while building a The two-party system is an im- But there are limitations to the modern economy. provement on universal suffrage. two-party system. It does not solve Universal suffrage entitles every- all the problems. The limitations The Social Democrats who took one to the vote. But that doesn’t are as follows: the Parliamentary route began automatically mean that the • Is there a real choice? Labour facing problems in the 1960s. people can change the govern- and Conservative in the UK; They did not expropriate the capi- ment. We do not need to go far to Republicans and Democrats in talists but just regulated them. look for examples – take our case: the US. The main parties gravi- This resulted in an out-migration Umno believes that it has a (God- tate to the political centre and of capital to nations that had fewer given) right to rule in perpetuity, there isn’t much to choose restrictions on capital – especially and several key institutions from. when the West began winning the within the Government share this Cold War! A process of de- view: the Police, the Attorney Gen- • Participation in national elec- industrialisation took place in eral, the Judiciary, the SPR, and tions requires huge funds. Britain and other advanced indus- the MACC among others. The Only parties and presidential trial countries. Industrial jobs manner in which the state insti- candidates that have the back- dropped as factories relocated, tutions acted to bring down the ing of the corporate sector can and government income dropped Pakatan Rakyat government in hope to compete successfully. as companies relocated to tax ha- Perak is a clear indicator of how vens. This forced the government deeply entrenched the belief that So the people only have a choice of the welfare states to take mea- Umno is the only legitimate party between ‘Coca-Cola’ and ‘Pepsi’. sures to reduce the pressure on to rule Malaysia. corporations; the tax regime was Incidentally, this is true for us in altered in their favour. A Value Another example is just south of Malaysia as well. While the Added Tax (VAT or GST) was in- the causeway - Singapore. Uni- Pakatan Rakyat represents an stituted to shift the tax burden to versal suffrage but no electoral improvement over the Barisan the ordinary people, and parts of choices of significance. Change of Nasional in its stance regarding the welfare state were dismantled power between two parties or two ethnic politicking, corruption, through privatisation and co-pay- coalitions at federal level signifies cronyism and the need to abolish ment requirements. This process a certain political maturity and a draconian laws such as the ISA, of dismantling the welfare state is non-aligned stance on the part of there isn’t much difference be- ongoing today. the government bureaucracy. tween the BN and the PR on cru- cial macro-economic policy issues So the jury is still out on this ques- The move to a two-coalition sys- such as the FTA with the US, In- tion. Lenin and Marx could have tem will bring several benefits to tellectual Property Rights, the been right when they insisted that our society especially in curbing need to attract FDI to Malaysia, the means of producing wealth government excesses and corrup- liberalisation of the economy,

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 30 health tourism, vent the old bureaucracy that privatisation, and the is wedded to pro-corporate in- need for a GST. This is terests. the main reason the PSM has held back Conclusion from formally joining the PR coalition. Democracy is here to stay! It is a significant step forward for hu- The PSM supports the manity, and it should be pre- PR because we believe served and deepened. It has be- that moving to a two- come part of popular culture the coalition system is a world over, and ordinary people step forward for Ma- throughout the world will reject laysian society. But getting into lution of the USSR and Yugosla- attempts to curtail their newly the PR as a junior member would via. won democratic rights. signal an endorsement of the macro-economic policies listed This underlines the importance of The two-party system is a step to- above which we are dead against. building a people’s coalition that wards the further maturity of the enhances the solidarity of all the democratic status of a country. It This raises the necessity of creat- ordinary people – the Marhaen – signifies a certain maturity of the ing ‘third force’ candidatures to and this necessitates a class- civil service. But it will not auto- bring real alternatives into the based approach to the issue of na- matically solve the problems fac- political agenda of the nation. tion building. ing the nation.

Sometimes parties appeal to eth- In the rare event of a significant There is a crucial need to mobilise nic, jingoist or religious senti- change in power, there is always ordinary people on a class basis ments in order to win votes and the danger of an extra-parliamen- to: in the process exacerbate these tary coup by the propertied • uphold and deepen democ- sentiments and lead to conflict classes, as occurred in Chile in racy, among the people 1973. (The legally elected govern- • safeguard against ethnic and ment of Salvador Allende of the religious chauvinism a. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party Chilean Socialist Party was over- • protect the democratic process of Bandaranaike came to thrown by a US-sponsored coup from right wing counter-coups. power by exploiting Sinhala in which tens of thousands of left- chauvinism wing activists, unionists and writ- There is an equally crucial need b. The BJP in India has Hindu ers were murdered.) The example for a party that is able to present a chauvinist tendencies. of Venezuela holds many lessons clear analysis of the current prob- c. The ultra-right, ant-immigrant that we need to analyse and learn lems facing our country – for ex- parties in Europe similarly feed from such as ample the neo-liberal assault on on the fear of economic com- • Use of referendums to debate the living conditions of the major- petition caused by immigrant on national issues, educate ity because of the demands of cor- communities. people, and deepen the praxis porate-led globalisation, so that of democracy the Malaysian people can The two-party system can lead to mobilise to work towards a more gutter politics and exacerbate eth- • Parallel mobilisation of ordi- equitable society. q nic tensions as rival groups nary people to counter the high within the elite play on divisive risks of a right-wing counter- sentiments in their efforts to win attack as happened in Chile. Dr Jeyakumar Devaraj, power in Parliament. There are ex- an Aliran member, is the amples of this in several of the • Creation of new, more pro- MP for Sungai Siput nations emerging from the disso- people institutions to circum-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 31 INTERNATIONAL Neo-liberalism and the ‘war on terror’ industry

How the free market and security industry work together to terrorise the world by Farish A Noor

I. Neo-liberal economics Communism and the overthrow of populist govern- and the domestication of ments including the government of President the citizen as subject-consumer Sukarno (which was then regarded as being one of the most left-leaning governments of the region, The logic of neo-liberal economics operates on one thanks to the prominence that Sukarno had given to unstated premise: that citizens are universal sub- the Indonesian Communist Party, PKI). During the jects who are both suppliers of alienable/alienated Suharto years that followed, Indonesia was one of labour as well as consumers of the very same goods the countries in the Asean region that led the way in and services they produce. Free-market economics the march towards free-market liberalisation; its therefore requires the creation and reproduction of economy was privatised according to the advice of such subject-consumers, whose own identities are the so-called ‘Berkeley mafia’. left vacuous and without any particularities – be they historical, cultural, class, gender or religious Resistance to such free-market liberalisation came identities. It is upon this universal notion that the in many forms, some of which were couched in terms market operates, and at the same time the market of a discourse of religiously-inspired ethics and oth- also seeks ways and means to render citizens sub- ers in the form of ethno-nationalist and/or religio- ject to the law of the market where labour can re- communalist resistance. Even the Moro National main an alienable commodity to Liberation Front (MNLF) of the be marketed as well, ‘sold’ by ‘free’ Philippines can be considered as individual agents without Soci- one example of such an anti- ety/Culture mediating this pro- SuhartoSuhartoSuharto liberalisation movement, as it cess of commercial exchange. was founded by Moro activists who were on the one hand Islam- The economic restructuring of ists and on the other Marxists in Asean, however, can be dated orientation and background. An- back to the formation of Asean it- other example is the Gerakan self 42 years ago when the coun- Aceh Merdeka (Free Aceh Move- tries of the region came together ment, GAM) that was likewise in 1967 to create a bloc that pur- founded on the goals of national portedly was ‘neutral’ in the Cold liberation and regional au- War but decidedly ‘neutral on the tonomy, rather than Islamisation side of the West’. Economic re- and religious communitarian structuring and the introduction politics. of free-market reforms came hand in hand with the war against The local populations of the

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 32 Asean region have therefore demonstrated time and modity and/or potentially so, and where freedom again a conscious and sustained resistance to all to produce and consume are rendered sacrosanct forms of economic liberalisation disguised in the while all opposition or critique of the workings of form of economic reform or developmentalist ideol- the market are presented as being radically outside ogy. Asean citizens themselves have demonstrated the discursive economy of accepted social conscious rational agency in the ways and means normativity. through which they have resisted these liberalisation tendencies – at times even through ac- This process of abstracting society to the level of tive political resistance to both the powers of for- possessive individuals took place against the back- eign capital as well as entrenched compradore elites ground of a concerted campaign (during the Cold who have served as the agents of foreign capital War) to render all forms of political-economic resis- intervention in their respective countries. tance as ‘radical’ and contrary to the principles of individual freedom of choice. And with the consoli- Unfortunately the historian has to note that the popu- dation and sedimentation of the two chains of lar movements against neo-liberalism have by and equivalences noted above, such market-oriented large been defeated, co-opted or domesticated sociability has been rendered normalised and throughout much of the Asean region over the past deemed acceptable. four decades; thanks in part to the superior techni- cal, capital and military-logistical support given to II. The business of terror: Asean governments by the international community Neo-liberalism and and the West in its war against Communism and the ‘anti-terror industry’ Socialism worldwide. The near-total destruction of the PKI in Indonesia (in 1965) was as much the work Since 2001, following the unilateral declaration of of the Indonesian armed forces under the command the global ‘war on terror’ by the (then) President of of General-turned-President Suharto as it was the the United States of America , we have witnessed work of the regime’s Western backers, notably the the development and expansion of what can best be United States and Australia. In the same vein the described as the ‘anti-terror industry’ worldwide. violent annexation of East Timor in December 1975 Coming as it did at a time when the world was still was done with the tacit approval of most of the reeling from the East Asian financial crisis of 1998 – Asean states and their Western allies on the grounds which demonstrated in no uncertain terms the vul- that East Timor might have evolved to become the nerability of a global financial system that was op- much-feared ‘Cuba of Southeast Asia’ and a stag- erating with almost no legal or institutional restraint ing post for Soviet activities in the region. or accountable checks and balances – the declara- tion of the global war on terror by the Bush adminis- From a discursive angle it ought to be noted that tration was a godsend to many liberal-capitalist during this crucial period when the forces of the economies in the developed as well as developing free market were consolidating themselves in the world. Asean region as the war on Communism was being waged, a particular form of political sensibility emerged that equated all forms of anti-liberalisation resistance with political radicalism that was subse- quently defined in negative terms.

Looking at the socio-cultural landscape of Asean today we see how four decades of relentless market- driven reform has led us to a world of the Thatcherite neo-liberal consensus, where there is only the ab- stracted individual and the market, and where So- ciety (as well as Culture, History and other variable subjectivities) are absent. The rule of the market in BushBushBush Asean today is one which sees everything as com-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 33 In many Asian countries such as Pakistan, further well as governments and political elites who have Western penetration was occasioned by the accep- benefited from the enormous kick-backs and other tance of the Musharraf government of security corrupt dealings associated with the sales and pur- checks and the new security regime imposed at the chase of these weapons. behest of Western security and intelligence agen- III. Muslims at the front-line cies such as the CIA and FBI. It should be noted that during this period much of the so-called Western of neo-liberalism’s ‘war on terror’: ‘aid’ that was pumped into Pakistan came in the Why the defence of Muslim form of joint military and security training as well particularity and identity is a as the installation of more intrusive surveillance in- defence of all cultural identities frastructure, despite the fact that the levels of educa- tion and illiteracy in the country remained low and that what Pakistan needed the most was funding for a working national educational system as well as a public health care system.

Looking back at the developments in South and Southeast Asia over the past decade, perhaps one of the most important observations to be made is how religiously-inspired politics of all hues and tenor were systematically demonised and relegated to the register of radical and potentially violent politics. It At no point in the history of Islam and normative was during this period that Southeast Asian gov- Muslim life have Muslims been as monitored, con- ernments (at the backing and with the support of trolled, patrolled, policed and suspected as they are their Western allies) were most conspicuously en- today. Across the planet Muslims have been type- gaged in the deliberate and sustained campaign to cast, stereotyped and subjected to a mode of ethnic/ demonise all forms of religious politics and to target cultural/religious profiling that would probably social institutions that were linked to religious move- never be tolerated by/of any other community in the ments in their respective countries. In predomi- civilised world. Even in the safe haven of political nantly Muslim countries such as Pakistan, correctness in the West, any public articulation of Bangladesh, Malaysia and Indonesia scores of Mus- anxiety or suspicion about Africans, Jews or other lim religious schools (madrasah, pondok or pesantren) communities would be deemed intolerable and ob- were policed, controlled, regulated and in many in- jected to by liberals of all hues. Yet this intolerance stances closed down or even attacked. The same was for abuse stops short at the frontiers of the Muslim the case for Asian countries with Muslim-minority community, and today it is only in the case of Mus- populations where the fear of religion in general lims that slander, stereotyping and typecasting of and Islam in particular was heightened and where any kind is tolerated and sometimes even deemed there emerged the urban myth of Muslim religious necessary and pragmatic. Why? schools as contemporary ‘dens of terror’. The answer may lie in the fact that Muslim identity Of course in the midst of all this hype and paranoia today has been rendered alterior according to the about Islam and Muslims, the ones who have stood prevailing logic of neo-liberalism itself. Over the past to gain the most are the managers of the arms and decade, we have witnessed the development of a security industry: the ‘war on terror’ has given them vast corpus of literature on Islam and Muslims that the opportunity to sell more arms and surveillance has sought to locate the basis of Muslim identity in materiel intended to help oppressive governments some form of primordial essentialist attachment to worldwide police and control their own popula- a belief system and moral order that was subse- tions. The ‘war on terror’ is thus an appendage to quently posed as being outside the discursive the arms industry, and like all wars the ‘war on economy of neo-liberal values. Muslims have been terror’ has meant enormous profit for the producers scrutinised, studied, pathologised and diagnosed of arms, security and surveillance technologies as as if they were pathologically, ontologically and

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 34 even existentially different from the universal sub- attempt to domesticate and co-opt other Muslims ject that is the ideal type of subjectivity within the succeeds as well, then we will be left in a world framework of neo-liberal thought. devoid of one crucial form of counter-hegemonic re- sistance. Muslims have thus been demonised in the name of both the war on terror as well as the neo-liberal con- Islam, Islamism and Muslims are today – by virtue sensus as the antipodes to the values of both the free of their attachment to a moral logic that is transcen- market and the free world. Having painted Mus- dental – one of the few remaining forces of counter- lims in such a corner, how can we ever expect to see hegemony by default. By simply insisting on their any form of meaningful dialogue with Muslims if right to be Muslims, Muslims demonstrate that for Muslims are already handicapped with such some people living in a globalised world does not demonised stereotypes from the outset? entail the abandonment of ethics or moral values. One may not agree with some aspects of Islamism Allow me to get to the crux of my argument here: and some of its manifestations, but the deeper point The ‘war on terror’ industry that has emerged over that has to be made is the defence of any transcen- the past decade and which was spawned by the dental ethics that transcends the logic of workings of neo-liberalism has sought to eliminate commodification and the free market. In this respect, all opponents to the rule of the market and the secu- Muslims share more with progressive Christian lib- rity industry by casting them as fundamentalist, ex- eration theology scholars and activists who likewise tremist, radical threats to the prevailing hegemonic insist that Capitalism has to be brought under the order of late industrial capitalism. In the process of control of Ethics. Both communities – and other com- this struggle to eliminate and silence all opponents, munities that are likewise guided and determined the most fundamental civil liberties of free citizens by an ethical code that is not circumscribed by mar- of the world have been trampled upon by the com- ket laws – are counter-hegemonic communities in bined forces of compradore elites and the forces of their own right, and ought to be recognised as such. capital. Coming to the defence of Muslim identity in the At the front line of this assault are the Muslim com- face of the onslaught of the ‘war on terror’ indus- munities of the world, whose daily lives have been try and the forces of neo-liberalism is part and par- rendered miserable thanks to the ever-expanding cel of the Left’s struggle against the hegemony of scope of security concerns and the manner in which the market and its totalising logic of domestication state violence and power has been brought to bear and social control. But the traditional Left must on them: Muslims parties have been banned, Mus- also learn to appreciate the fact that while such lim schools closed down and Muslim businesses forms of cultural resistance may be based on the investigated. As mentioned above, no community discourse and symbols of cultural-religious essen- in the world has been made to suffer such indigna- tialism, they are nonetheless important by virtue tion and the assault on their fundamental liberties of the symbolic power they wield as tools of social as Muslims today; and the last time we witnessed mobilisation and counter-hegemonic identity poli- such an orchestrated campaign at demonisation and tics. Muslims are living proof of the possibility of a policing was the global campaign to curtail and dis- radically different social order where Ethics in- mantle the anti-hegemonic forces of the Left across forms and controls the workings of the market, and the planet. in that respect they are closer to the Left than any other community today. q It is for these reasons that we need to understand how and why the defence of Muslim subjectivity from the totalising grasp of neo-liberal thinking is a This is a summary of a paper by political fundamental part of the global struggle to maintain, commentator and Aliran member Farish protect and restore the dignity of all human beings Noor at the conference Socialism 2009 worldwide, and to forestall the further encroach- organised by the Parti Sosialis Malaysia ment of neo-liberal hegemony in all aspects of our (PSM)(PSM)(PSM) lives. For if the campaign to totally eliminate all forms Farish Noor is an Aliran Member. of Muslim cultural resistance succeeds, and if the

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 35 The exclusion of both the above provisions from the Framework Instrument goes against Malaysia’s commitments under the UN Con- vention on Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (Cedaw) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) that all member nations of Asean have rati- fied and acceded to.

The CRC General Comment 6, is- sued by the Committee of the Rights of Child, states that all chil- dren present on the territory of a Government shall be extended the A record of Aliran'sAliran'sAliran's stand on current affairs. full protections under the CRC, re- gardless of status or origins of the child. The provisions of the Asean Protecting the rights of causes, manifestations and ef- Instrument being developed must migrant workers and fects, both positive and negative, fully cover migrant children along their families: in the countries of origin, transit with the other members of their Malaysia’s obligation and destination.” family. The Asean Committee for Migrant Further, signatory countries com- We support the vision of the Asean Workers (ACMW) Drafting Com- mitted themselves under The Declaration because the protec- mittee meets in Kuala Lumpur on Bangkok Declaration to formulate tion of women migrant workers 7 and 8 December 2009, hosted by “comprehensive, coherent and ef- and the children of migrant work- the Ministry of Human Resources. fective policies on irregular migra- ers is an important central ele- The ACMW Drafting Committee tion … within the context of a ment of a comprehensive and effi- comprising Malaysia, Thailand, broader regional framework cacious regional Instrument. Indonesia and Philippines, is in based on a spirit of partnership the process of drafting a Frame- and common understanding.” Thus we urge the government to work Instrument on the protection join the three other member states and promotion of migrant work- In accordance with its commit- in the ACWM Drafting Commit- ers rights for Asean, in line with ment under the said declaration tee i.e. Thailand, Indonesia and the principle affirmed by the ten the Malaysian Government Philippines in supporting the in- Asean states, under the Bangkok should extend protection of mi- clusion of these clauses. Two of Declaration on Irregular Migration grant workers’ rights to all mi- these, Indonesia and the Philip- 1999 and the Asean Declaration on grant workers (documented and pines, contribute a large portion the Protection and Promotion of the undocumented) regardless of their of migrant labour to Malaysia, Rights of Migrant Workers. legal status in the future Frame- Thailand, Singapore and Brunei. work Instrument for Protection and The governments of origin coun- Under the Bangkok Declaration, Promotion of Migrant Workers’ tries like Indonesia and the Phil- “regular migration and irregular Rights. ippines would want to protect the migration should not be consid- rights of their nationals working ered in isolation from each other”, The Government should also give abroad as is their duty to their and “migration, particularly ir- protective coverage to the rights own citizens and is exemplary regular migration, should be ad- of migrant workers’ families un- government conduct. dressed in a comprehensive and der the same future Framework balanced manner, considering its Instrument. Aliran seeks to remind the Malay-

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 36 sian Government that it is not in and self-employed workers. It is the national interest and that of important to ensure that these cat- the ‘rakyat’ at home or abroad to egories of workers, who are often complicate or stall the process of overlooked, are included in the establishing accepted and agreed coverage of a regional Instrument. international practices that meet internationally recognised and We further note the Asean Declara- approved ILO standards. tion on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers We also remind the Government makes the following reference on that all Asean partners supported the importance of international the ILO Declaration on Funda- frameworks — “Recalling also the mental Principles and Rights at Universal Declaration on (sic) Hu- Work adopted unanimously by man Rights …… as well as other the ILO in June 1998. The ILO Dec- appropriate international instru- laration stipulates that the human ments which all Asean Member rights of all migrant workers, re- Countries have acceded to in or- gardless of their status, should be der to safeguard the human rights promoted and protected in line and fundamental freedoms of in- with the eight core ILO Conven- dividuals.” tions. Accordingly, we submit Instrument proposed by the Asean that the Asean Instrument being Aliran strongly urges the Govern- Civil Society Task Force that was drafted must be in harmony with ment to support the inclusion in presented to Asean member gov- these Conventions. the Asean Framework Instrument ernments at the Asean Senior of the principle of “national treat- Labour Officials Meeting (SLOM) We urge the Ministry of Human ment” as exemplified in Article 25 earlier this year in Vientiane, Laos. Resources and the Drafting Team of the UN Convention on the Protec- The said document had been to adopt the definition of “migrant tion of the Rights of All Migrant drafted in consultation with civil worker” contained in Article 2 of Workers and Members of Their Fami- societies involved in work with the UN Convention on the Protec- lies. migrant workers and advocates of tion of the Rights of All Migrant migrant workers’ rights in the re- Workers and Members of Their Fami- In keeping with the Prime gion. It thoroughly covers in con- lies. This Convention defines a Minister’s advocacy of 1Malaysia, siderable detail issues and prob- migrant worker as “a person who we hope that Malaysia will recip- lems faced by migrant workers in is to be engaged, is engaged or has rocate the goodwill, cooperation their countries of origin, in transit been engaged in a remunerated ac- and unity of its Asean neighbours and in destination countries tivity in a State of which he or she in supporting the protection and within Asean. is not a national.” This definition promotion of migrant workers’ is comprehensive, clear and con- rights and their human rights. In conclusion, we urge the Gov- cise and merits adoption. Doing this, will only increase in- ernment to cooperate in the estab- ternational esteem and respect for lishment of a just Asean body that The coverage of migrant workers our country and our nationals prospers economically and so- by the Asean Instrument should who are working abroad to whom cially through the protection and not be determined by the type of the same rights will apply under promotion of the human rights of work performed by the migrant the principle of reciprocity. its Asean family in the spirit of worker or the nature of the con- mutual respect and goodwill tract through which she or he is Moreover, Aliran recommends as amongst Asean partners and their employed. A significant number a reference document for the Asean peoples. of migrant workers in the region Framework Instrument on the Protec- are temporary workers, domestic tion and Promotion of Migrant Work- Aliran Executive Committee workers, informal sector workers ers Rights, the draft Framework 6 December 2009

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 37 But when the developer finally are revealed in the Port Klang Free came to demolish the village on Zone fiasco and the Lingam is- 14 September 2009, where were all sue of brokering judicial appoint- these heroes? Where was their ments. lawyer? The Malaysian public would like It would appear that the villagers to know why it is taking such a were exploited to the fullest for long time to bring influential in- political purposes by these ele- dividuals in the PKFZ scandal to ments. court. In the Lingam issue, the big- Letters must not exceed 250 gest judiciary scandal in the his- words and must include the If only the villagers had stuck to- tory of Malaysia, there is no ac- writer's name and address. gether and negotiated a settlement tion till today. What happened to Pseudonyms may be used. Send directly with the state government the recommendations of the Royal letters or emails to Editor (see – without the instigation of these Commission of Inquiry that was page 3 for address details). people – they would have secured set to investigate Lingam? How Views expressed need not reflect a better deal: perhaps a house and much taxpayers’ money has been those of Aliran. If e-mailing, some cash! squandered? This money could include message in the e-mail have been used to build houses body itself. Disappointed for the poor. Penang How many people could have be- Where are Corruption in come victims of injustice due to the heroes now? 1Malaysia the brokering of judges? Is it true that the wages of non-unionised When the Kampung Buah Pala The call by Berlin-based Transpar- private sector workers are so low case erupted, so many people ency International for the separa- because of the unhealthy links rallied round them. The sup- tion of relationship between gov- among government, business and port given to the villagers was ernment, business, and politics politics? unbelievable. Hindraf was should be addressed seriously by there, MIC was there, Gerakan Prime Minister Najib Razak, if One also wonders why the main- was there, Umno was there. All there is to be any confidence stream media have not played a of them were fierce in their among the Malaysian public in critical role in exposing inaction criticism of Lim Guan Eng and the ability of the government of the by the authorities. Yet, they seem his government. They lam- day to fight corruption. Clear ex- quite comfortable in reporting basted him and condemned amples of the connection between problems of Selcat, which him endlessly. government, business and politics endeavours to create a culture of a transparent government in .

1Malaysia cannot divorce itself from the principle of equality be- fore the law. By merely framing this concept through the lens of ethnic harmony and landscape, 1Malaysia is deprived of a holis- tic vision which includes fighting corruption through equality be- fore the law and beyond ethnic sentiments. Therefore, let’s take the issue of corruption seriously.

Ronald Benjamin Ipoh

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 38 Reproduced with permission from Zunar Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 39 POLITICS Two-party system – and a ‘third force’? The two-party system is a step towards the further maturity of the democratic status of a country. But it will not automatically solve the problems facing the nation by Jeyakumar Devaraj

alaysia has only known China, the kingdoms of Malacca MM one ruling coalition in and Majapahit, the Maya and MMM the past 52 years since Inca empires in Latin America, the Independence. But the kingdoms of Africa, the Islamic result of the March 2008 elections empires from the time of the has led to rising hope among Prophet right up to the end of the many Malaysians that an enor- 19th Century. mous change might be around the corner – a two-party system un- This concept began facing a chal- der which the people are free to lenge in the 16th Century. A fac- choose between two coalitions tion of the elites in England rose which are both capable of govern- up against King Charles I because ing the country. they were unhappy that they were not being consulted about the rate The purpose of this paper is to lo- of taxation. This led to the English cate the institution of a two-coali- Civil War in 1641-1651 and ended tion system against a wider his- with the beheading of the king. torical perspective. has been organised on the prin- Charles’s son did manage to re- ciple that certain groups of people establish the monarchy in 1660 Universal suffrage – a were born with superior charac- (and execute several of those who revolutionary concept teristics and therefore had the were instrumental in the removal (“God given”) right to rule.. The of his father). But a system The concept that every person has majority of the people, the com- whereby the propertied elites an equal right to select the gov- moners, were considered to be in- would be consulted by the British ernment irrespective of his or her ferior and less “refined” and monarch was formalised; this social status, wealth, education, therefore not fit to rule. This was later evolved into the House of religious affiliation or beliefs is a the basis of the feudal system that Lords. revolutionary idea. And it is rela- was in existence since 5000BC in tively new. Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, This concept - that people have the the Yang Tze civilisation and right to have a say in their gover- Ever since the time historical Egypt. It remained true during nance - slowly developed into records have been kept right about Roman times and in kingdoms all ‘universal suffrage’ or the right of 7,000 years ago and right up till over the world – India right up till Continued on page 28 the 19th Century, human society the time she got colonialised,

Aliran Monthly : Vol.29(10) Page 40