his year, we are celebrating 25 The State of Parliament In the course years of parliamentary rule. Strictly of the last year or so, the Malaysian speaking, the Si lver Jubilee should public has been appalled by the utter, been observed last year since the total lack of interest among a sizeable Parliament convened in 1959. Or, are number of 'Yang Berhormats' in the deducting a year for the suspension of proceedings of the Dewan Rakyat. There iamentary rule from May 1969 to have been numerous tnstances ot the 1971? Dewan being forced into adjournment Whatever the reason, the more per­ because of a lack of quorum. On vital t question is this: What are we issues, like the amendments to the official ing? Are we celebrating the grow­ Secrets Act, the Printing & Publ ication strength and significance of Pari ia­ Bill (1984). the Bumiputra Malaysia in our national life? Or, should we Finance (BMF) scandal, the extent observing the decline of Parliament? of participation in the parliamentary iament a mere symbol shorn of any debates has been dismal. Very few go­ ? Is it as some al lege -- a vernment backbenchers in particular ""''""'"'nt camouflage for authoritarian choose to speak up on these and other inance? issues. Even in the routine debates on In this essay, we shall examine the budgetary allocations or on Bills of an of Parliament and the reasons for administrative type, there is hardly any We will not evaluate Parl iamentary attempt to press or probe. There are only or democratic governance for that one or two Members of Parliament who ld require a much more comprehen­ are willing to raise new issues - like the study which is beyond the scope of question of environmental protection or is analysis. the welfare of wornen workers - in a creative, critical manner. When some MPs, is indeed odd that the highest legislative Parliament is compel vd to s.Jrrender tern· especially those in the opposition are institution in the land has stayed clear of porarily its normal law-rnak1ng function making adjournment speeches, govern· debates on a majority of fundamental to the Executive. Th1s maKP.S it a I the ment backbenchers leave the House in national policies. This is why critics of more imperative for 1t to reta1n control hordes just to prevent them from having the government sometimes argue that over all aspects of an Emergency so that their say. However, when it comes to many of our national policies have never what is temporarily conceded does not heckling and harassing opposition really been given parliamentary approval. become a permanent feature of the speakers or hurling invectives and abuses Because of all this, Parliament does political system as a result of manipula· at them, some of these same back· not seem to be a vital factor in shaping tion by an authoritarian Executive. benchers are extraordinarily alive! It the content, and determining the direc· The Emergency is not the only area is this that creates the impression that· tion, of the nation. That it is not as where legislative power has been usurped many backbenchers are there not to significant as it should be is evident in its by the Executive. Parliament has no way contribute towards the legislative process inability to emerge as powerful instru· of protecting the fundamental I ibcrties, but only to give blind, unquestioning mPnt of fundamental social reform. the rights of the people, provtded for in support to government Bills and Motions. Hence, Parl iament changes the name of the Constitution. Whether they are up· To make things worse, the government the National Bureau of Investigation to held or not in reality, depends largely has developed the habit of bulldozing the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) but upon the 'benevolence' of the Executive. through Parliament crucial Bills, includ ing does not do anything about making the Indeed. the Executive - the govern· those pertaining to constitutional amend· ACA an independent, autonomous com· ment - is dommant in every sense of the ments. The 1983 amendments to the mission. It streaml ines the administrative word. Its growing Executive dominance, constitution on the role of the monarchs structure of the ACA but does not needless to say, which is mainly respon· is a case in point. There was indecent require all members of the Executive to sible for diminish1ng parliamentary haste in getting the Bill approved by both declare their financial assets to the public .. power. Parliament is completely subser· houses of Parliament. The same thing had Similarly, it tries to make land adminis· v1ent to the wh1ms and fancies of the happened in 1981 when the Executive's tration more efficient through amend· Executive. authority over the proclamation of an ments to the national Land Code; but 1t This IS why 1n order to f1nd out why Emergency was further strengthened fails to change the concept of land Parliament is so weak one has to under· through an amendment to Article 150 of ownership in a more equitable direction. stand why the Executive is so strong. the Constitution. It happened in 1978 It provides various guidelines on mineral There are a variety of reasons some of when the Constitution was amended to exploration but does not take · steps to which we shall now examine briefly. enable the Federal government to declare enhance public control and authority Wea k Parliament: Strong Executive a state of Emergency in Kelantan. over the nation's mineral wealth. It is The intenstficatton of lop-sided develop· ment within a system orientated towards ...many backbencher• are there not to the upper echelons of society invariably strengthens the position of the Executive. contribute towards the legislative process ... For as capital expans1on and accumula· There are a whole lot of important, concerned about administrative arrange· tion takes place. supported by complex non-constitutional Bills too which have ments for promoting national unity but is technologies and sophisticated market been subjected to the same treatment. completely incapable of formulating solu· operations. the elites who are in com· The most notable of the recent examples tions that are addresseu tu t i t~ r uu t (;a uses mand of these activities become more and would be the Civil Law Bill. The amend· of ethnic polarisation. Parliament, to put more powerful. Given a system that both ments to both the Penal Code and the it in a nutshell, devotes most of its time serves, and depends upon, these el ites, the Official Secrets Act were also whisked and energy to maintaining the status quo Executive chooses to protect and per· through the House. So were the through various administrative adjust· petuate their interests. In order to do amendments to the legal Profession ments and modifications. It has shown no this, it strengthens its own position at the Act in 1983 and the Societies ·Act in inclination towards initiating major trans· expense of Parliamentary supremacy. For 1981. At the same time, motions pro· formations in any crucial sphere of public it is after all defending the interests of a posed by the opposition on public life. minority against the welfare of the majo­ matters of great significance like the BMF In a sense, it is not surprising that rity. Hence the need for its own security! scandal or Essential Security Cases Regu· Parliament has functioned this way. It is If anything, a related factor has fur· lations (ESCAR} hangings or the squatter hardly in a position to pioneer funda­ ther reinforced Executive power. This is problem or the Selancar Empat incident mental changes -given the steady erosion the rise of Malay capitalism in the last are given scant attention by the govern· of its powers. In 1971, it lost its legisla· fifteen years or so. Malay capitalism is ment benches In fact, often 1n such tive authority over the status of the dependent upon the state; just as the debates government leaders ignore the national language and other languages, state is committed to Malay capitalism real issues and instead deride and deni· the special position of the Bumiputras which is to be expected in a system like grate the oppos1tion. and the legitimate aspirations of the other ours. A strong, secure Executive which The unwillingness to come to grips communities, citizenship and the position brooks no challenge from any quarter is with the rea issues explains to some of the monarchs. Over the years, Parlia· what the government and Malay capita· extent why Parliament has never really ment has also been totally stripped of its lists want so that the latter can accumu· discussed ma1or nat1onal policies as such. powers vis-a-vis Emergencies. For a de· late wealth without hindrance. If parlia· With the exception of the New Econom1c mocratically-constituted Parliament, the mentary debate 1s going to slow down the Policy (NEP). the government has yet to right to proclaim. oversee and terminate growth of this class of capitalists, then it 1nitiate a Parliamentary debate on say the an Emergency is vital to its very exis· has to be set aside. If, on the other hand, national culture policy or its policy on tence. It is during an Emergency that the UMNO Assembly serves as a useful national umty or 1ts pol1cy on human rights or rural development or defence or Parliament Is completely subservient to the even its national population policy which has been very much 1n the news of late. It whims and fancies of the Executive

Aliran Monthly April/May 1985 2 an emasculated Parl iament? Conversely, ...t he annual UMNO General Assembly Is ... what can be done to check Executive might? where real power resides A numerically stronger opposition would certainly be useful. Even if many As a result, Parliament gradually begins ehicle for strengthening the interests of of us are not too happy with the politics to lose its signficance. It ceases to be ·"is class. then it is inevitable that it will of the opposition, more effective repre­ crucial to the decision-making process ;merge as the nation's pre-eminent sentation on the opposition benches in in the political system. orum. This explains in part why the the Dewan Rakyat would go a long way The decline of Parliament has been all annual UMNO General Assembly is far in checking the overwhelming dominance the more rapid because of the absence of -,ore important than any pari iamentary of an arrogant Executive. It may be a larger democratic culture which can session! For that is where real power worth observing, in this connection, that sustain democratic values and attitudes. ·esides. the Malaysian Parliament was most effec­ That there is no such culture is obvious As the Executive panders to the in· tive - and undoubtedly at its livel iest - from the lack of literature, art and :erests of Malay capitalism and the upper between 1959 and 1964 when the oppo­ music that examine .critically various ~a sses as a whole, a certain restlessness sition had almost one-third of the seats in facets of public life. Indeed, what exists ::evelops among other sections of society the Dewan Rakyat. . hich are not receiving the attention they instead - at least as far as the leading Jeserve. Dissatisfaction gives rise to melody in our political culture goes - More important, however, there'll have to be serious reforms to Parliament itself. j ssent among various groups. The chal· in a subservient attitude towards govern­ The purpose of these reforms should be enge posed by dissent and dissenters in mental authority. an uncritical accep­ two-fold: to reinforce legislative power ~urn provokes the Executive to tighten tance of the prevailing social order. ::o ntrol over fundamental liberties This sort of attitude has its roots in our and to involve the public in the legislative ·t]rough all sorts of restrictions and regu· feudal past. What today's rul ing elites process. Towards this end, public hearings ations. In the process. the Executive have done is to exploit fears and anxieties should be held for all Bills pertaining to the constitution, fundamental human oecomes even more powerful. A quick associated with the complex ethnic situa­ rights and basic state policies. Sufficient examination of the countless curbs im· tion in our country in order to perpe­ oosed upon labour. the media and the tuate such feudal attitudes. Because of t ime whould be set aside for the public to submit its views and to discuss the Bill in oolitical opposition in the last two this a huge segment of the literate public :jecades by an increasingly dominant ::xecutive reveals that the real motive has Parliament should recognise that always been the perpetuation of the 'lt~rests of the ruling class. there are values and-ideals linked to There are of course other reasons too ·.hy the Executive has become so strong the integrity and dignity of the human Nhile the legislature has lost so much ~ound. These reasons are not directly being which are beyond the dictates -nked to the social structure. The over· . helming four-fifths majority of the of the power of the majority. ~Jiing Barisan Nasional in Parl iament is one of 1hem. Because it is so securely itself does not understand that Parliament question in depth. The government must :ntrenched in the legislature, the Exe· is duty-bound to critically evaluate the be prepared to incorporate worthwhile rutive feels that it does not need to Executive. It does not understand that it ideas from the public before it presents :>ether about parliamentary procedures or is one of Parliament's cardinal functions the Bill to Parliament for debate. Parlia­ oarliamentary debate for that matter. Its to check the Executive. mentary debate itself should not be cur­ ::lreading to the moment Jf the Barisan elites. one has to remember effectively, it becomes very difficult for they are studied in detail during the ·nat since 1974, the Barisan has known the institution to play its rightful role in third reading. Similarly, adjournment "llthing less than a four-fifth majority in society. Indeed, some would argue that speeches should be allowed as long as 15 ·ne Dewan Rakyat. It is not difficult this lack of appreciation of Parliament's other MPs are present. 'l'lagine how such dominance conditions role stems from a certain degree of suspi­ We should also consider setting up :ne thinking of the Executive. cion, even hostility. towards social criti· Parliamentary Committees on a wider Legislative might apart, the fact that cism as a whole. The Prime Minister, Dato scale. There is already a Public Accounts e Barisan is essentially an inter-ethnic Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad has, on a Committee. There is no reason why we -nal ition has also affected adversely the number of occasions, expressed his cannot establish a Parliamentary Commit­ -cJle of Parliament. For when government annoyance with dissenting perspectives tee on the Constitution. Any amendment founded upon • inter-ethnic bargains from the public on a var:ety of social to the Constitution which the Executive .,d compromises - as has been the issues. Such an attitude from someone may propose will have to be first sub­ :ase with Malaysia since Merdeka in 1957 who occupies the most ·mportant posi­ mitted to this Committee for deliberation - there is a tendency to try to resolve tion in the land is hardly helpful to the before it is formulate as a Bill and pre­ -ajor disagreements through quiet con- growth of Parliament or Parliamentary sented to Parliament. Other Parliamen· ... tat ions. There is a tendency to shun Democracy. tary Committees on say ethnic relations A3rliamentary debate, to avoid open What Can Be Done? Given this situa­ or education or defence or foreign :ontroversies. Important decisions are tion, the quest on '\re have to ask is this: affairs should try to ensure that the -,ade outside institutions like Parliament. What can be done :o restore strength to well-being of the nation as a whole is pro-

3 Aliran Monthly April/May 1985 tected in various government policies. In such a system there should be as transcends the immediate. What this Needless to say, all these committees much opportunities as possible for the means in concrete terms is that Parlia· should include opposition MPs too and full participation by the ordinary popu­ ment shou ld not legislate to legitimize where possible, should be headed by lace in the formulation of public policies. detention without trial or banishment of them. For we realize that egalitarian structures dissidents or unjust wars even if the Conclusion Unfortunately however, by themselves do not guarantee popular majority approves of such decisions. In neither Parliamentary reform nor a participation. This has to be nourished other words, Parliament should recog­ stronger opposition comes to grips with consciously if Parliament is to sustain nise that there are values and ideals the root causes of the problem. For as itself as a viable institution. linked to the integrity and dignity of the we have shown in the earlier part of this Just as an egalitarian social system and human being which are beyond the dic­ essay, as long as there is unequal deve­ popular participation are vital for the tates of the power of the majority. lopment w ithin an unequal system, the well-being of Parliament. so is it impor­ Once Parliament is consciously guided Executive will get stronger and stronger tant to anchor the institution to universal, by such perennial values and ideals, its and, in the end, threaten Parliamentary eternal spiritual values. Without such laws and policies will assume new mea­ supremacy. This is why a Parliament values, Parliament would be a mere play­ nings. This is the goal towards which we that genuinely reflects people's power thing of the majority - minority con­ should strive. is possible only if there is an egalitarian tradiction in all democratic societies. It social system. would not have a larger purpose that Chandra Muzaffar

ALTHOUGH I W/JS MERELY EXERCfliNG MY DE.MOCRATtC WHICH IS STRANGE I AM HERE FOR. CRITICIZING RIGtffS MY CRITIOSMS WE~ BECAUSE IN COMNdNIS7 AND OPR)SING THE CONSIDERED SUBVERSIVE - RUSSIA., DISSENT IS GO/EAAMENT POSSIBLY INFLUENCED BY DIS'COU RI(>-ED -nt> COMMtlNI~ ELEMENTS

1> 1 SS I~NT.S IN RUSSIA ARE SEEN J.S BoURGEOIS ELEMENTS, AND THEY USUALLY EMP UNDER 1liE INFLUENCE. UP IH SIBERIA ••• OF CAPrTALfSM

Aliran Monthly April/May 1985 4 What's happening to Parliament What Former MPs say•.. -~, 25 years of P•rliamentarys _w rule at .... the end of .. March this year, the Aliren Monthly h•s devoted a significant portion of this iS3U& to the state of the Malalf$ian Parliament. The editorial board asked current and former Members of the Dewan Ra~yat for their views on Parliament. How significant is Parliament to our national political life? they were ftked. Is Parliament on the decline? Can Parliament be reformed? In tJ:Ie following pages, we publish the comments of these public personaliti8$. While we are glad a number of them responded to our queries, it is a p ity that quite a few others .._.. - notably current Barisan Nesional MPs­ Mohd. Khi r Johari, former Cabinet failed tq kaep their promise to send in their Tan Sri Dr. Tan Chee Khoon Minister and Diplomat (Member of opiniops on Perllallltfnt. Opposition Member of Parliament from Parliament from 1959- 1982). 1964-1978 People The government should be Involved does not take In the parliamentary Parliament seriously. process •.•

I n the past, Parlia­ R ight from the start ment was lively and act ive. There was a of my stay in Parliament, I had con· great deal of debate. It was a no-holds stantly reminded the governmen: that barred situation. parliamentary democracy in our country We who were leading the government is like a fragile and tender plant. It will at that time, took the opposition If the prestige take the efforts of all parties to nurture seriously. The opposition had some giants and dignity of and nourish it so that in the fullness of in it. There were heated exchanges, but Parliament Is to be time it will grow and bloom into a sturdy we were friends outside the House. There rt!speded, we mu..st tree that will be able to withstand the was mutual respect. adhere strictly to buffeting to which it is sure to be subjec­ Tne present government leadership the terrru, conditions ted. One has only to look at the newly regards the opposition as a sort of enemy. fBtd basic 11alae of emergent countries that were born since Government backbenchers walk out and World War II and see how many countries prevent the opposition members from prllamentary have been replaced by dictatorships making speeches. The government does mstitatlon. whether of the right or of the left. The not take Parliament seriously. only time that this country has been in This may be because the freedom of danger of being taken over by a dictator­ speech itself has declined. There is less ship was during the aftermath of the May democracy today. Also. some MPs, inclu­ 13th Tragedy of 1969. Happily the late ding a number from the opposition. are Any move by the par ty in power to Tun Abdul Razak, our second Prime take undue advantage of its oppo­ not very fluent in Bahasa Malaysia. This nents must not be done so blatantly Minister restored law and order, and early hinders them from functioning effec· and so deceitfully. in 1971, parliamentary democracy U is expected no doubt that the par· t ively. This is why it is important for all ty in power must try to maintain its "' returned to this country. MPs to master the national language. position ; bat it JDUst not be seen to be I have always insisted that for parlia­ done vindictively and tyrannically Now, the power of Parliament has to without due reaard to the democratic mentary democracy to survive and be restored. As an example, celebrating princiPle which we are sworn to up­ flourish the efforts of all sectors of our 25 years of Parliament should not be a hold. society - the government, the opposition government affair alone. It is Parliament and the people - are required. At the as an institution that should initiate and outset the government thought that organise this celebration. This in itself Parliament consisted of the government shows where power I ies. alone. To the government, Parliament was Reproduced from The Star/M onday, April 1, 1985

5 Aliran Monthly April/May 1985 there to meet the needs of the govern· ment of the day. However, very soon the opposition also decided that it could and must have a say in the working of Parlia· ment. The opposition began to file resolutions for debate and later to table private members' bills as well. But they were stymied by the government. The way the government did it was very simple. As soon as all government business was about to finish, a Minister would stand up and propose, "Mr. Speaker Sir, I propose that this House will rise as soon as this 'bill is passed." I then tried to teach the government a lesson. At one Budget session of our Parliament I proposed a cut in the salary of the Tunku. This almost amounted to heresy for the Tunku then was sacrosanct and a cut in his salary was unthinkable. The Tunku saw my point and he promised that he would allow opposition business to be debated. He kept his promises and from then on opposition resolutions were debated. Nonetheless the government still shows contempt towards MPs and the general public by not allowing adequate time for MPs to study all bills including amendmen ts to the constitution. This is because all bills are shrouded in secrecy. They are tabled and sometimes debated in the same day. When MPs themselves are not given adequate time to study bills it is futile to talk of the general public having the chance to study bills and thus contribute towards the progress and advancement of democracy in this country. People should also be involved in the parliamentary process and should be given a sense of participation. If this is done, the government will get adequate feedback that will be of great value to any government. Th

Aliran Monthly April/May 1985 6 Parliament Serving MPs Speak Up ...

Sim Kwang Yang- Opposition Member the House, inevitably vote with the fo( debates on all motions, including of Parliament since 1982 party whip. It would be interesting to those tabled by the opposition; unearth a single case where a BN MP ii) formation of Parliamentary commit­ My experience with voted against, or even abstained from tees on various ministries so that MPs the Malaysian Parliament as a first term voting on, a motion moved by the may be involved in specific ministries junior member of that august House has Government. When MPs are so docile, and even participate in the drafting of caused me pain and anguish. the House loses its dignity as the bills before they are tabled; The Malaysian Parliament has become conscience of the nation. iii) formation of parliamentary select a mere rubber stamp for the ruling party 4. The Prime Minister and his Ministers committees to consult the population which, with its brute majority, treats the are seldom in the House for either the at large on all crucial legislations, institution with utter contempt. Because oral question time or the debate itself. including constitutional amendments of the lack of in-depth coverage by the They allocate their parliamentary as well as the various Malaysian Plans. mass media, much of what actually goes duties to their deputy Ministers and Coverage by the mass media on parlia· on in that forbidding House remains Parliamentary Secretaries, knowing mentary proceedings is also inadequate. unknown to the Malaysian public in full wel l that competent or not these The space given in newspapers to crucial general. nominees of theirs will 'bulldoze debates is not even comparable to the The following are a sample of my through' government business because space allocated for TV programmes! Ultimately, only the people can deter­ personal experience: of its majority. mine whether Parliament will play its 1. Bills are seldom distributed to the Some Ministers hardly make an role meaningfully, by choosing the right MPs with sufficient notice for them appearance throughout an entire materials to be their representatives. to consult the affected parties, their sitting. Such is the contempt that the senior ministers show for Parliament. Nothing short of a total political constituents and experts and to do 5. Even with their massive majority. the reform will salvage the institution of general research. Most bills are distri· Government benches have problems Parliament from its crippled state. buted one day prior to the debate. This unhealthy practice, while con- forming with the provisions of the standing order. leaves the MP little .•.only the people can determine whether time for preparation. The controversial Parliament will play Ita role meaningfully, .•. Civil Law Amendment Act was given to the MPs on the same day as the debate, so that MPs were actually getting enough quorum for the house Dr. Koh Tzu Koon, Barisan Nasional debating and voting on a major subject to continue sitting. During the budget Member of Parliament since 1982 which they knew little about. session from October to December 2. There are too many restrictions on the 1984, I personally called 'no-quorum' From my experience scope and time for debate since five or six times. as a member of the Select Committee on sittings are generally short. As a result, The root of the problem is deeper than the Dangerous Drugs Bill, I feel that such MPs are not always given the oppor­ mere complacency on the part of the committees have an important role to tunity to debate a bill which may ruling party. Underlying the ineffective­ play. They should be set up to look into affect their own constituents. The ness of Parliament, is a dangerous trend in important Bills, especially those which oral question time of one hour is also Malaysian Politics - that of shifting affect the fundamental liberties of insufficient for MPs to probe the political emphasis from the legislative citizens. Such committees would make it gover1ment in depth, and many process to the executive process. This possible for an exchange of views with questions submitted by MPs are left undermines the separation of powers concerned public-interest bodies as well unanswered. between the three branches of Govern- as with private individuals. In fact, 3. When an opposition member tables a ment and threatens the checks and opinions from the public could also be motion for an adjournment speech, balances so crucial to democracy. •solicited in future by way of written which seeks to highlight a specific If the present trend continues, Parlia· memoranda so as to save on expenses constituency matter, the Barisan ment will be reduced to the pitiable and time. Nasional MPs purposely leave the status of an ordinary government depart· The fact that MPs are wakil-wakil ment! While Parliament may exist in house so as to sabotage the required rakyat means that they should also be quorum. In fact, the Malaysian Parlia­ form, it will become a joke in substance. able to bring to their Constituencies ment is so devoted to the party The 25th anniversary of the Malaysian discussions on proposed Bills. Unfortu· interests of the ruling BN that motions Parliament can be better celebrated with nately, because these are often distribu· submitted by the opposition are a concerted move for parliamentary ted very late, it is almost impossible for seldom adopted for debate. As early as reforms, rather than with pompous MPs to study them, and to consider 1983, the DAP requested a debate on ceremonies. carefully their ramifications and implica· the BM F loan scandal, but the motion Reforms are necessary in the following tions. If adequate time is given, it is areas:- was not adopted for debate. possible for the MPs to discuss the When it comes to a division. BN MPs, i) review of standing orders so as to give possible effect of a Bill in "Meet-the though they may voice dissent outside wider scope and more opportunities People" sessions. The quality of debates ..•..•Parliament will be reduced to the pitiable in Parliament will be greatly improved and "off-the-cuff" comments will be status of an ordinary government department! minimised.

7 Aliran Monthly April/May 1985 and credit facilities for themselves. This experimented with innovations to make was subsequently mentioned by the Parl iament more relevant and meaningful, Ahmad Nordin Committee of Inquiry 20 as in the establishment of specialist months later. In an abysmal act of irres­ Parliamentary Committees to enable MPs ponsibility, Parliament showed no to specialise as well as to participate in interest whatsoever in the BMF scandal policy making, but in Malaysia, we seem and Sim Kwang Yang failed in his bid to more interested in how best to deny the debate in Parliament what was being Opposition opportunities for Parliamen­ extensively reported in the foreign press. tary ventilation. I suspect that in the 25 years of its It is sad to note that after 25 years of history, the Malaysian Parliament has Malaysian Parliament, we have not never stood as low in public esteem as developed the Parliamentary tradition now. and convention which rises above party For our nation's sake, Malaysians must politics. Recently. when the Deputy take the opportunity of the 25th anniver­ Speaker was appointed, he stood up to Lim Kit Siang- Opposition Member of sary of Parliament not to stage meaning­ thank the Barisan Nasional. rather than Parliament since 1969 and presently less exhibitions and indulge in self-praise. Parliament! Parliament is equated to leader of the Opposition. but to conduct a deep and thorough re­ Government, while Government is examination of our system of Parliamen­ equated to Party. With such an equation, The Merdeka idea of tary democracy to restore to Parliament the principle of parliamentary supremacy Parliament as the highest legislative and its pre-eminent place in Malaysian society. has diminished into party supremacy - deliberative chamber in the country, at the expense of the healthy growth of representing the supreme will of the It is not uncommon for MPs to Pari iamentary institutions, traditions and people. has come under systematic assault shout 'aye' to Bills which they conventions! in the last 25 years. redu cing Parliament know nothing about ... more and more to a rubber stamp to provide formal approval to what had There must be a new commitment at already been decided by the Cabinet. all levels of society to restore to Parlia­ The people have become so accus­ ment its powers and role and to make it tomed to the diminished role of Parlia­ a relevant institution of our system. ment, somewhat equivalent to a minor Firstly, the government of the day department in the Prime Minister's must respect the people's right to choose Office. that nobody finds it amiss that their own MP or Assemblyman, without the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the fear of victimisation or discrimination. Malaysian Parliament is decided and Unfortunately this is not what happened organised by the Government rather than in Tambunan after the Sabah State by Parliament itself! Assembly by-election there recently. In theory, the Executive is answerable Neither should the government threaten to Parliament, but the Executive's usurpa­ people with "May 13". tion of the powers and role of Pari iament Secondly, the government must had gone so far that Parliamerh has remove the host of obstacles affecting become a mere appendage of Govern­ freedom of speech, assembly and associa­ Lee Lam Thye, Opposition Member ment. tion. which make it impossible for the of Parliament since 1969 It is not uncommon for MPs to shout people to exercise their democratic ·aye· to Bill:; which they know nothing freedom of cl">oice. Public rallies for Although Parliament about, except that the government leader­ instance should be allowed. restrictions is often regarded as the symbol of parlia­ ship wants them passed like the Constitu­ on the press and the mass med ia lifted, mentary democracy, it is important for tion Amendment Bill 1983 and the Civil and the Politics of Money to buy votes us at this point of time to take a look at Law Amendment Bill 1984. curbed and eliminated. the function of Parliament in safeguar­ Malaysian Speakers are quite fond of Thirdly, the government must respect ding the rights of all Malaysians. I would telling Opposition MPs not to turn the the people's right to information, for like to call for a national inquiry into the Dewan Rakyat into a political forum, without information to enable the elec­ role and function of Parliament over the although such warnings are never directed torate to make intelligent and informed last 25 years with the aim of trying to to government Ministers and MPs. But decisions and choices. the pre-conditions make it more effective. I would take this what is shocking about such warnings is of meaningful democracy are absent. opportunity to plead for the establish­ not their 'double standards', but the Fourthly, the parl iamentary and state ment of a commission comprising MPs, failure to understand that Parliament is assembly constituencies must be re­ academicians, and emminent Malaysians the highest political forum in the land ! delineated to fulfil, and not to deny, the to exam ine the weaknesses and short­ As a result of the drastic usurpation principle of 'one man. one vote'. comings of the existing parl iamentary of Parliament's powers and role by the Fihhly, there must be Parliamentary system and make recommendations on Executive,. Parliament has grown increa­ reforms to fulfil the Constitutional inten­ how to restore Parliament to its rightful singly irrelevant to the aspirations of the t ion that Parlia'l1ent is the highest legis­ role. people. lative and deliberative chamber in the I have been in Parliament for 3 terms In March 1983, the Member of Parlia­ country, where MPs participate actively now. From what I have heard, in the ment for Kuching. Sim Kwang Yang, in every stage of legislation. The history early sixties, Parliament was much more sought to move a motion to debate the of the amendment of the Standing Orders lively than now. Parliament's powers have detailed reports of the Asian Wall Street of the Dewan Rakyat is a history of the been gradually eroded. It has now be­ Journal about the Bumiputra Malaysia curtailment of the rights of MPs to speak come subservient to the executive. It is Finance scandal about how BMF officials up f reely for the people in Parliament. not really effective as a legislature should made use of their position to get loans Other Commonwealth Parliaments have be •

Aliran Monthly April/ May 1985 B Sex Oppression

A lot has been said to support the conten­ tion that the 70 million population policy is an illogical and absurd one. But the most deplorable aspect of this policy is the high· handed way in which the role of women who Letters are to contribute to the success of this policy We welcome letters from ruder~. T'- letters may be edited for purpoM$ of space end has been taken for granted. The entire policy clarity. The views •"P'taed !NY not bet'- of tfle Aliren Monthly. PMudonyms are is based on the arrogant assumption that accepted but all letters should include the writef's ..me end address. women are obliged to procreate as the govern· Letters lhould be addressed to Editor, Aliran Mond\ly, P.O. Box 1049, Penang, Malaysia. ment demands. The policy makers even have the temerity to specify how many children a woman should have. Women, who hava been targets of male To Check Abuses careful how you vote in the coming General imposition all through the history of mankind, Election. have never been allowed to reach their full Our hats off to you for your press statement stature as thinking and assertive individuals. B.A. in the STAR dated 2.1.85 under the headline Their rights and !Weds have always been Kedah. 'DON'T BLAME IT ALL ON THE PEOPLE!. submerged under male domination and patriar· l'he last paragraph which reads: 'IT IS A chal societal systems. It is only since the dawn PUBLIC THAT KNOWS THAT THE CRIMI· of the 20th century that women have slowly NAL IS NOT HE WHO WASHES DIRTY Teachers & Soldiers but surely tried to make their presence felt LINEN IN PUBLIC: THE CRIMINAL IS HE despite countless obstacles and barriers. Yet, WHO DIRTIES THE LINEN IN THE FIRST read with much interest Enche Hamid they have still not been able to emerge com­ INSTANCE' is indeed applaudable. Salleh's letter on "OF TEACHER& AND pletely from their stereotyped and socially The Malaysian public needs people such as HEADMASTERSu, in your January 1985 issue. conditioned roles. you, Dr. Chandra Muzaffar to check the autho· In his letter he has brilliantly suggested that In spite of these disheartening facts how· rities from adopting an even more rigid and teachers and headmasters be rotated after a ever, women all over the world are waging arrogant stand without/before analysing the period of time. He has even suggested that persistent struggles to discard the mantle of oppression and to liberate themselves from pros & cons of things prior to implementation teachers be allowed to withdraw part of their EPF contributions after a period, say 15 years exploitation and discrimination on the basis of and action. Syabas Dr. Chandra Muzaffar and we hope of service. their sex. Not only in the West but also here in the East, women are justly claiming their long to read more of your exhortations. What surprises me most is why he didn't All Good Wishes for a Happy and Pros­ take up these two issues with his union. Have overdue rights to develop as complete human these issues been diScussed and rejected or beings and to participate in society on an equal perous 1985. thrown out of the window (or into the waste­ footing with men. Women, who constitute half of the human 'A group from Malacca' paper basket) by the government? Melaka. The most disgusting part of his letter is race, are surely entitled to the same rights and when he compares soldiering with teaching. In considerations as the male half of humankind. an attempt to look for equity in salary struc­ Yet, in our country, women have been tures, he should compare apples with apples arbitrarily instructed to get married at the and not apples with pears. He should also study earliest opportunity and to function primarily the supply and demand trends. These are only on a domestic level as mothers and housewives. Looking For A Pen-pal two of the many factors which ought to be Just when women here are striving to slowly I am a 20 year old boy and I want to corres­ considered when constructing a salary/wage leave their cocoons and spread their wings and pond with young people from Malaysia. My structure. make gentle but lingering impressions in male hobbies are: correspondence, stamp collecting, Teaching and soldiering are different kettles dominated spheres, they are being driven back post card collecting, reading books, listening to of fish. I have been told that a soldier faces the to their cocoons. As far as the policy makers music, etc. I like travelling and playing the powder, whereas, a teacher powders his face. are concerned, the only role appropriate for guitar and learning about people and other So how could they be paid the same? women in this country ·in their grandiose vision countries. of a progressive and industrialized Malaysia My address is: Pilipus Paulus Major Teoh Teng Hai, BK of the future is as a baby producing resource. Jl. Jend. Sudirman Gerik, Perak. What is most alarming is that there have No. 39 Muara-Enim Sum·Sel INDONESIA

Thank you. Pili pus Paulus

Be Careful How You Vote Why is the government making all this fuss about the drug problem? Isn't it also partly responsible? Perhaps it is because of all the problems created by the government- poverty, increasing disparities, corruption - that the number of drug addicts is going up. There is no doubt, for instance, that the present government has increased taxes and inflation. What a pity! The richest country in the world borrowing from everywhere. The Arabs have only oil. We · have lots more. It shows clearly how 'clever' our leaders were and are. But who is in the wrong? Why must we, the majority who are have-nots allow a pro-capitalist group to be in power for so long? Who is to be blamed? Do not blame others. Do not blame the pro-capitalist group. After all they are in power. We have to blame ourselves. We put them up there in the first· place. This is why be

9 Aliran Monthly April/May 1985 been so few strong and vehement protests from both in terms of scope and geography. some senior Malay officers that the the majority of our women against this highly "Why only a nuclear-weapons free zone? appointment of a non-Malay director degrading policy. Are our women so spiritless And why only the ASEAN region? In the long­ would result in their being treated as and pliable that they are willing to accept with term interests of the peace, security and "stepchildren'". docility what has been pre-planned for them? environmental safety of the peoples of South· This vi- was expressed in connection with It cannot be denied that women have been east Asia, we should campaign for a completely the appointment of Datuk Dr. Gurmukh Singh the oppressed majority since time immemorial nuclear-free zone in the whole of Southeast as the new director of the University Hospital. but surely it is time our government vi-ed Asia. This means that Southeast Asia should be If such a veiw was expressed by a dropout, women as individuals with a mind and priorities free not only of nuclear weapons, nuclear bases it is understandable. You could always excuse of their own and showed them enough respect and visits by nuclear warships and aircraft, but such sentiments as "What else could you to allow them to make their own decisions. also free of anything nuclear - from nuclear expect?" Such misfits are expected to blame A woman has every right as an individual energy to nuclear or radioactive waste. others for their imaginary fears and failures. to decide whether or not she wants to bring a "Malaysia should take the lead in this You expect them to employ the racial ploy to life into this world and no institution, however matter by openly and immediately declaring justify their lack of progress. dictatorial, has the authority to encroach on that she will ban visits by ships, aircraft and But this argument coming, as it does, from this individual right. other vehicles transporting or carrying nuclear 'senior Malay officers', does not reflect well on weapons to our territorial waters and airspace. their intellectual integrity. It is a shallow and Libra We should also declare that we will stop the sham argument put forward from a selfish point Penang production of nuclear waste by abandoning of view; it is a prejudiced vi- that vilifies the completely our nuclear energy programme. We best in others; it is a view that is bereft of logic do not need nuclear energy because we have and commonsense. It does no justice to an abundance of soft energy resources like excellence or meritocracy. It is a view not to be solar, hydroelectric and biomass supplies." expected from educated people. Why should The other two-thirds of the speech dealt some "senior Malay officers" in UH feel that with lessons we could learn from nuclear waste they would be treated as "stepchildren" with disasters in the Soviet Union in the 1950s and the appointment of a non-Malay director? What why we should close down the Asian Rare is the basis of this fear? Had any non-Malay Earth factory opposite Bukit Merah N­ director in the past treated these "senior Malay Village near Lahat and abandon the proposed officers" in a discriminatory manner? If so, was Papan dump site completely. his conduct condoned? If he was punished for his inhuman conduct, as he should have been, Fan Yew Teng then we should be thankful that justice had Secretary-General prevailed. If he was not, then the system must Socialist Democratic Party be condemned for harbouring a ' criminal'. Did Kuala Lumpur these "senior Malay officers" do anything to expose the culprit? Even if it were true that such a despicable Ethnic Imbalance in Malaysia character was indeed a director of the UH in the past, would it be fair to condemn the entire Since independence the Malaysian Govern· non-Malay community with the sin of a way· ment has been trying to correct the ethnic ward individual from that community? Is it Setting the record straight imbalance in the economy. This ethnic proper that an entire community be held imbalance was created by the British who accountable for the misdeed of an individual? It would be most appreciated if you could neglected the Malays with a definite purpose. Is it fair? please allow us to point out one or two Had education and advancement of the Malays Conversely, if a Malay were to be appointed inaccuracies in Johan Saravanamuttu's other­ been encouraged they would have started as a director, would it be justifiable for the non· wise excellent article, " Parties or Public Interest thinking and got organised and demanded Malays to express fear5 that they would be Societies?" in the December 1984 issue of Independence earlier. treated as stepchildren or foster children? Even Aliran Monthly. After Independence our beloved Bapa if it were true that a Malay director had mis· Saravanamuttu said: "Curiously, our Malaysia Tunku Abdul Rahmah started correc· treated the non-Malays at one time or another, Foreign Minister has also recently called for a ting the ethnic imbalance in the proper way - would it be right on the part of the non-Malays nuclear-free ASEAN based on ZOPFAN, a that is the slow and steady but sure and only to judge the entire Malay community on the major plank of Malaysia's foreign policy since way. However since 1970 the process has basis of the conduct of one individual? There 1970. Whatever its motives, Malaysians should changed drastically - that is helping one can be no rational excuse for such a conclusion. begin to keep their government honest on this section of the population much more t han the I have always wondered why is it that an issue. (Incidentally, not a single party respon· others. This is leading to a reversal of the ethnic entire community is so easily associated with dad to the Foreign Minister's announcement.)" imbalance and not a correction. the misdeed of an individual? Why can't a good What the Foreign Minister, and subse· The only proper way to correct the deed, an exemplary conduct and an act of love quently also none other than the Deputy Prime imbalance is to henceforth ensure that employ­ be as easily associated with that community? Is Minister Datuk Musa Hitam himself, had called ment and education opportunities are given to it because it is much easier to condemn rather for was not a nuclear-free ASEAN but only a all communities in proportion to their ethnic than compliment? nuclear weapons-free ASEAN. composition. In any case, the view expressed by these The SOP did respond, in the form of my A properly balanced population (particu· "senior Malay officers" must be thoroughly speech at the meeting called in Petaling Jaya at larly in a nation like Malaysia with a diverse investigated. The findings of this investigation 8.30 p.m. on 6 November 1984 to form the population composition) can ensure peace, must either establish that the views are warran· SOP Petaling Jaya Branch. Copies of the text of harmony and progress of the nation. On the ted or they must be demolished as without any the speech were issued to the Press, including other hand ethnic imbalance will lead to merit. On the basis of this investigation action Bernama, the following morning. Over the next unease, suspicion, disharmony, retardation of must be taken against Dr. Gurmukh Singh if the two days the speech was published fairly exten· progress and even ultimate destruction of the allegations are true, or against these "senior sively in some of the Chinese-language n-s· nation. Malay officers" if such allegations are baseless. papers. For reasons best known to themselves, The intention should be to ensure that such not a word - as far as we know - appeared in HS.B. racial prejudice will never lift its ugly head the English and Bahasa Malaysia Press. Taiping again, that people will not tolerate racial This is what I said: "Because the people of prejudices from any community. the Petaling Jaya area are by and large politi· Further, such an action will provide validity cally sophisticated, it is important that we to Dr. Mahathir Mohamed's claim that " the enlist their support and help on some of the Ethnicity and the University Government will not hesitate to take action more technical issues which have emerged Hospital against those involved in "certain issues" if they recently on the Malaysian political scene. The per5ist in stirring racial sentiments" (NST nuclear issue is one such issue. refer to your news report 'UH to get $20 25/12/841. Failure to act would only go further " lest week, it was reported that Deputy million from Treasury' which appeared in the to strengthen the belief that Dr. Mahathir's Prime Minister Datuk Musa Hitam had sugges· New Straits Times of 27 December 1984. Government was initially 'cekap' but now it is ted that ASEAN should be made a nuclear· I was rather disturbed to read the last reduced to 'cakctp sahaja'. weapons free zone. While we welcome this paragraph of this article which read: suggestion, we feel that it is not wide enough 'Hajah Marina denied allegations by PRK Pcnang

Aliran Monthly April/May 1985 10 Surat terbuka untuk Saudara seribu ceramah boleh dibuat dalam sekurang· sudah tahu. Maklum sajalah dulu lain sekarang kurangnya 50 kawasan Parliamen. lain. Hassan Karim, Setiausaha Parti Masa kempen dulu rancak projek-projek Sosialis Rakyat Malaysia (PSRM) B.A. Kedah pembangunan di Tambunan · oleh kerejaan Alar Setar Berjaya. Bila calunnya tawas, projek pun tar· S.ya cukup tertarik dengan tulisan saudara gendala dan ditarik balik. lni yang tak 'best', dalam Aliran keluaran bulan Januari lalu. lzin· kate budak-budak " buruk siku" tepi Berjaya kan saya menulis surat terbuka kepada saudara kata " mau ajar sama rakyat Tambunan". ltu secara berangka untuk senang difaham atau Harris vs His Shadow bukan caranya, itu tidak adil. Demokrasi bilang dirojok. "rakyat mempunyai kebebasan memilih wakil Datuk Harris Salleh, the Sabah Chief Minis· 1. Kita semua tahu yang Allah SWT. telah masing-masing". Perdana Menteri Dr. Mahathir tar, has repeatedly complained to Federal memberi macam-macam kekayaan dan pun ada mengatakan bahawa kawasan pem­ leaders that development in Sabah is not given ketuahan kepada kita di sini. Negara kite bangkang sekalipun mesti dibagi pembangunan. fair coverage in the n-s media. However, when boleh disifatkan sebagai negara terkeya Oleh itu rakyat Tambunan tidak bersalah dalam dunia. Libya, Kuwait dan Arab detailed coverage is given - like in the memilih calun yang boleh mawakili mereka. Tambunan issue - he complains even louder. Mekah hanya ada minyak, pasir, pokok Syabas kepada rakyat Tambunan yang bijak· Perhaps the news media should provide kurma dan unte sahaja. sana memilih pemimpin mereka, bagus tul 2. J umlah penduduk kite masih terlalu kecil more detailed coverage of some of Datuk Keputusan mereka bukan sahaja tek selah, Harris's pet development agencies like KOSAN, untuk kekayaan yang begitu m-ah. malah bolih jadi teladan. Bukan saja kepimpin· KO·NELAYAN, KOJASA and the like. I think 3. Dengan keadaan yang begitu, kite rasa, siapa an melalui teladan yang ada tapi kebijaksanaan Malaysians, and Sabahans in particular, would saja rakyat, buat kerja apa pun, petani, melalui teladan juga ada! Sedikit sebanyak buruh, nelayan, peniaga, polis, askar, like to know of the internal goings-on in Sabah Tambunan telah menunjukkan kematangan pemandu, penarik beca, kerani, guru - apa rather than listen to his superficial political dalam politik, tidak lagi sebagai kerbau dicucuk prr.achings. People are interested in your actual saja, jika dapat sebulan kurang dari $800.00, hidung, Rakyat Tambunan telah mengorak deeds, not just your 'image' - the image bukan sahaja dikira miskin tertindas tetapi langkah dan menjadi perintis membuka ke· teraniaya. Haknya dikebas oleh sekumpulan presented to us during the Harris-Graduates sedaran kepada rakyat Sabah untuk maju ke kecil manusia dalam dan luar negeri. dialogue. depan. Sebaliknya pemimpin Berjaya telah Take it easy, Chief! Don't be scared of 4. Cuba kira tengok berapa juta rakyat kite membawa politiknya ke belakang. Syabas yang mendapat kurang dari haknya yang your own shadow - if you are not guilty, that Tambunan, engkau bijaksana. sepatut. Kana pula dengan macam·macam is! gejala buruk akibat cara hidup kaum modal Norben Sabahan Graduate - feudal - penjajah, seperti rogol kanak· Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. kanak tak berdosa, bunuh, samun, culik, Kota Kinabalu dadah, rasuah, 24 jam hiburan, ugut, tahanan tanpa bicara, berebut-rebut nak jadi yang-yang terhormat (maklumlah gaji tak Rakyat Tambunan Bijaksana Unjustifiable Action ada tapi elaun cukup besar dan ada macam· macam kemudahan dan keistim-aanl, pen· Adat pertandingan ada kalah dan menang. regard Berjaya's action in abrogating the cemaran, pedih panas matahari, debu, Kekalahan calon Barisan Nasional En. Roger district status of Tambunan as one of the most macam·macam penyakit bayi dan orang tua, Ongkili oleh eaton Bebas Datuk Joseph Pairin unjustifiable and contradictory deeds ever in sekolah tak cukup, universiti tak cukup, Kitingan dalam pilihanraya kecil daerah Sabah's political development. hospital tak cukup, rumah tak cukup Tambunan baru·baru ini tidak sepatutnya If other governments have done similar (bukan sarang merpati tanam sayur dalam dijadikan alasan untuk kerajaan Berjaya bar· things to opposition controlled constituencies pasul, pelajaran lemah dan lebih 1001 tindak secara tidak adil kepada rakyat it does not mean that Berjaya is also right in m~m lagi, kalau nak sebut, barangkali tiga Tambunan. Pemansuhan teraf daarah Tam· what it has dona. All of them have violetad hari tiga malam, tak habis. bunan dan menarik balik peruntukan pem· democratic principles. Indeed, Berjaya has in 5. Dengan fahaman yang mudah, di negara kita bangunan yang telah dibagi lebih mirip kepada fact violated its own election manifesto by ada 85% rakyat miskin tertindas taraniaya 'membalas dendam'. Tindakan ini luarbiasa! discriminating against Tambunan. dan hanya 15% sahaja kaum modal. Sudah Oleh kerana tindakan ini tidak adil maka The right to development and government tentu care hidup kaum modal (Kapitalisl wujudlah suara·suara simpati daripada facilities (in this case the services of the District tidak sesuai. Sebaliknya kenapa sudah 7 pemerhati·pemerhati politik sama ada di dalam Council and other state-run agenciesl is the kali undi umum ateu 29 tahun, kite dipaksa atau di luar negeri Sabah. Suara·suara simpati basic right of every Sabahan citizen, irrespective mengikutinya? ini tidak bosan·bosan muncul dalam media of whether he supports the ruling party or 6. Sepatutnya kepentingan kaum miskin yang massa dan secara terus menerus sampai kepada otherwise. This is our right simply because we dianjurkan oleh Parti Sosialis (dulunya Parti kerajaan Berjaya. Oleh kerana simpati. ini are all tax-payers. Development assistance hes Rakyatl mesti mendapat tempat yang wajar. direstui oleh beberapa pemimpin Barisan nothing to do with which party controls the Kenapa sebaliknya? Parti ini pun sudah Nasional di Semenanjung maka secara perlahan· government. berumur 29 tahun. Mula ditubuhkan pada lahan kerajaan Berjaya cuba menarik batik apa After criticism from the people and the 11/ 11/55 dulu. Bukan putik jagung. yang telah dimuntahkannya. Kini taraf Federal government, the Chjef Minister found 7. Kita harap pemimpin-pemimpm Parti Tambunan cuma diturunkan kepada Sub a way out by saying that Tambunan was Sosialis ini segera bangun dari mimpi·mimpi Daerah sahaja. Kata orang tua-tua, cakap siang merely being ' administratively streamlined'. mareka dan rajin buat ceramah di kampung· pandang-pandang, cakap malam dengar-dengar This of course is not true. It just goes to show kampung macam Pas juga. Masa belum tar· sebab kalau perahu dilajek boleh diundur tapi how one can twist and tum in politics! lambat. Lagi pun undi umum ke 8 masih kalau terlajak katl macam parti Berjayalah. jauh lagi. Sekurang-kurangnya ada setahun Walaupun kerajaan Berjaya cuba berselindung S.C. lagi. Dalam masa ini, sekurang-kurangnya daripada ketidakadilannye tapi orang kampung Kota Kinabalu rr'.s VANGEROt{S 7D 50 WHAT ? AFTER All, LIFE AND IT KILlS! E.VOODNE'5 GOT TO ~E SDMETIME DR. bTIIER!

11 Aliran Monthly April/May 1985 VItal Statistics Employment Patterns

ver a period of about 26 years, the teachers, nurses, technicians, etc.). Whereas Malays used to be under· O numbers of people gainfully These important changes occurred represented in almost al l the occupational employed in peninsular Malaysia have largely in the 1970s after the New groups except for agriculture and to a almost doubled: from 2.118 million in Economic Policy was formulated . The lesser extent service and technical 1957 to 4.368 million in 1983. The first decade of the NEP, in turn, workers in 1957, the only categories absolute numbers of Malays, Chinese and coincided with a period of general where Malays remained under-represented Indians employed have increased tremen· economic boom which encouraged both in 1983 were in the administrative/ dously. Only those classified as "others" government as wel l as private (including managerial, and to a lesser extent sales have dropped (Table 1 ). Since Europeans foreign) investments. workers. Dramatic increases occurred in were so categorised, this drop can The second important structural the clerical (27 .2 to 53.9 percent), sales probably be linked to the de-colonization change pertains to the ethnic composition (15.9 to 35.4 percent). service (39.7 to process when more and more Malaysians of the various occupational groups. 56.2 percent ), production/transport (26.4 replaced the former colonial masters in various occupations. Apart from this increase in terms of numbers, there are two important struc­ tural changes that have occurred. First, according to the official statis· tics available, there has been a dramat ic shift from agricu lture to non-agriculture workers. From 56.6 percent of the total employed in 1957, agricult ure workers account for only 29.6 percent of the total in 1983. In terms of absolute numbers, there has only been a slight increase from 1.2 to 1.3 million over those 26 years. In contrast, "production, transport and other workers" rose from 18.9 to 35.9 percent over the same period. In absolute numbers this meant an increase from 400,000 to 1.6 million. Significant increases also occurred in two other occupational groups: profes­ sional/technical workers' share of the total employed rose from 3.1 to 7.2 percent while clerical and related workers' rose from 2.9 to 7.5 percent. Less significant increases occurred for service and sa les workers while the percentage of those in the administrative and managerial category, the smallest of all the occupational groups, remained steady at 1.1 to 1.2 percent of the total numbers employed (Table II). The major implication of these changes is that Malaysia's industrial and tertiary sectors have been expanding rapidly. The related activities include the setting-up of numerous factories (electro­ nics, textile and garments, processing of raw materials including food, etc.); intensification of constructi.on projects (houses, highways, ports and airports, office and shopping complexes, hotels, etc.); expansion of the government's bureaucratic machinery (more clerks, pol ice and army personnel) but also the Waiting to unload cargoes of oil palm nuts provision of social services (mory

Aliran Monthly A pril/May 1985 12 Table I Peninsular Malaysia: Employment by Occupational Group and Race 1957 - 1983 (in percentage)

Total Total fotal Total 1957 in 1970 m 19!30 in 1983 in M c 0 T,hO\JSands M c 0 ThOusands M C 0 ThC0JS811d3 M c l 0 Thoi.JSands -- - ~ .,------""------~--~-...... --~------~-~.--..,-;---'"'- Professional and Tocbnicnl Worker~ 41.0 38.1 11.0 9.9 G5,6 4l.O 39.5 10.8 2.7 136.7 !13. 7 37.6 11.9 1.8 767.5 "54.8 31.1 12.5 1.6 313.;i

Administrative and Maragerial Workers 17.5 62;2 12.2 8.1 24.(5 24.1 62.9 7.8 5.2. 30.7 6.1 2.7 42.2 27.4 66.0 5.3 1.3' 47.0

Clerical and . related Workers 27.2 46.2 19.8 6.8 61.5 3!>.4 4!>o9 17.2 1.5 t4 2.5 52.4 36.6 10.4 0.6 293.7 53.9 36.1 9.6 0.4 328.8

Sales and re1~ 1ed Workers 15.9 66.0 16.8 1:3 182.3 26.7 61 .7 1 L1 0.4 258.5 371 601 7.6 0.2 :i58.4 35.4 57.7 6.8 0. 1 38!1 5

Servfce Workers 39.7 33.3 12.8 14.7 183.5 44.3 39.6 14.6 1.5 225.8 54.0 337 1 1.~ 0.0 371 .2 56.2 32.2 10.8 0.8 432.0

Agtlculwrc Workers 62.1 24.3 12.8 0.8 1,199 6 72.0 173 9.7 1,0 12 78.1 69.5 18.1 11.4 1.0 1.289.4 67.4 19.5 12.0 1.l 1,289.9

PrOduction, f~a nspo r l and Other Worker$ 26.4 53.5 18.9 1.2 400.9 34.7 55 9 9.6 O.S 777 II 43.7 44.6 11.3 0.4 t ,400.6 44.0 43.6 12.0 0.4 U167.3

47.7 35.7 14.5 2.6 2,118.1 !.>l.(l 36.6 10.6 1.0 2,!!50.3 os.o 36.3 10.9 o.'l 4,023.0 52.7 35:4 1 h2

M - Malay Source: Census 1957, Tables 16, 16A - 0. Fourth Malaysian Plan, Table c - Chinese 3.11; Mid·Term Fle~iew4th Malayais Plan, Table 3.10 1 "' Indian 0 : Others

Table II Peninsular Malaysia: Employment by Occupational Group Within Each Race 195HI3 (in Percentage}

1970 1980 .1983 M c 0 To ~al M c 0 Total M G 0 Total M c 0 Total

ProfessionAl & Technical Workers 2.7 3,3 2.4 11.7 3.1 4:3 5.2 4.9 13.4 4.8 6.7 6.2 72 16;0 6.6 7.4 6.4 8.0 16.0 1.2

Administrative & ManAgerial'{l'orkers 0.4 2.0 !.0 3.6 1.2 0.5 1.8 0.8 5.8 1.1 0.6 }.8 0.6 3,7 hl 0.6 2.0 0.5 2.0 1.1'

Clerical & related '\rvorkers #' 1.7 3.8 4.0 7 .6 2.9 3.4 6 .3 8.1 7.9'' 5.o· 7.2 ' 7.6 6.9 5.8 7.S 7.7 1.1 '' 6.5 3.9 7.. 5

sates & rel

8. 1 7.6 47.2 8.7 6.8 8.6

A9ricul\ural Workc'rs 74.4 3l'!,5 50.G l7.5 56.6 62.3

to 44 .0 percent), and even professional/ categories. All t.hese increases have been have outlined above : the shift from agri­ technical (41.0 to 54.8 percent) occupa­ at the expense of the agricu ltural sector culture to non-agriculture employment tional groups (Table 1). where only 37.8 percent of the total and the increasing involvement of Malays These dramat ic changes are reflected Malays employed in 1983 could be in the latter, are testimony t o the in the occupational shifts among Malays. found. In 1953, 74.4 percent of the total tremendous changes brought about as a Whereas in 1957 only 10.6 percent of the were listed as agricultural workers (Table result of the New Econom ic Policy. Two total Malays employed could be found II). social consequences that should be in the production/transport category, by Again, these changes may be attribu­ mentioned are 1 ) the emergence of Malay 1983 they totalled 30.1 percent. Other ted to t he N EP which has, as one of its middle as well as working classes; and significant shifts occured in the targets, the restructuring of t he Malaysian 2) the increasing influx of Malays into the professional/technica l (2.7 to 7.4 society so that the identification of urban areas where the non-agriculture percent ), clerical (1 .7 to 7.7 percent ) and particular occupations with race would be based opportunities are located • to a lesser extent, sales (2.9 to 5.9 eliminated. percent) and service (7 .3 to 10.5 percent) These two structural changes which we Loh Kok Wah

13 Aliran Monthly April/May 1985 International Affairs

Hong Kong: 1997 L Cheung

he Sino-British agreement on to take back H K, even at the height of adm inistration, security, finance and Hong Kong (H K) was presented anti-imperialist patriotism during the external trade relations while the Centra by both parties and indeed Cultural Revolution, though she had the Government will be responsible for T applauded by the .nternational military might to back up such a move. military and diplomatic affairs. HK's community as a realistic agreement The famous dictum from Chou En-lai, position will in fact improve after 1997. which, apart from solving the century-old that the H K problem is a problem left The SAR's Chief Executive, who will be historical question that had strained Sino­ behind by history which is best left to be selected by elections or through consul· British relations, has looked after the tri­ solved by history, had been the official tations, will be accountable to an elected partite interests of China, Bntain and HK. line of the Chinese leaders in the past few legislature. At present, the London· To a great extent, such praises are decades. By agreeing to take back appointed Governor is accountable only justified. The provisions of the agreement sovereignty over H K in exchange for to the British Government and not the offer everybody something. allowing H K to operate as a highly auto­ HK Legislative Council whose members To the British, the agreement gives nomous territory with its own social, are appointed by him. Whereas the final them the unchallenged right to rule HK economic and legal systems (the so-called adjudicative authority in HK's present until 30 June 1997 in their continuing 'one country, two systems' arrangement), legal system rests with the Privy Council capacity as a sovereign pow~r uv~r the China has succeeded in remov1ng the last in London, the agreement promises that territory, with China's cooperation com­ vestiges of colonial ism over her territo­ the Court of Final Appeal will be situated mitted on paper. While one step short of ries, which should help to boost national in the SAR. These provisions to a large recognizing the so-called unequal treaties pride, without causing undue unrest extent satisfy the growing demand for signed by the People's Republic's among the H K population nor hurting her democracy from the local population, dynastic predecessor in the last century relationship with Britain. This also has a particularly the young and upcoming that permanently ceded Hong Kong significant demonstration effect on educated classes. Existing land leases w ill Island and Kowloon and leased the New Taiwan, pointing to her a painless path be automatically renewed for 50 years Territories unti I 30 June 1997 to imperial towards national reunification. after 1997. subject to payment of a Britain, China's formal acceptance of the To secure the continuing stability and nominal rent. This serves to stabilize the consequences of those unequal treaties prosperity of H K, the agreement seeks to economy which n HK's un1que situation was a considerable concession to Britain woo both international capital and local has depended so much on land and which had all along insisted on the resi dents. More than half of the clauses in property transactions. To remove H K validity of those treaties under inter­ Annex I to the agreement, which elabo­ people's fear over restrictions on free­ national law. rates on China's basic policies towards dom, the agreement provides that they China's willingness to see HK prosper H K, are devoted to legal, financial, will be able to enjoy the rights contained as a self-autonomous, caprtalist Special economic and related matters, containing in the International Covenants on Civil Administrative Region (SAR) after 1997 such important provisions as the con­ and Political Rights as well as the Inter­ also sat isfies Britain which was troubled tinuat ion of the common law system, the national Covenants on Economic, Social by outcries of "sell-out" from certain existing laws and judicial system, the free and Cultural Rights. To reassure them sectors in H K. She can now comfortably convertibility of the HK dollar, free that they can continue to travel and declare that she is not delivering HK's 5 movement of capital, a cap1talist econo­ migrate freely, China has even swallowed million people to Communist rule against mic system, autonomy in finance and her national pride by agreeing to what their wishes! Her moral duty to H K and external trade relations, H K 's status as a tantamounts to a dual-nationality its people (the phrase in the lips of British free port, and an independent shipping arrangement under which holders of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher) was register. British Dependent Territory Citizen pass­ thus seen to have been discharged. Apart To the local population, who were ports as at the time of takeover. can from gaining moral credits, Bntain also denied an official role in the Sino-British continue to hold a British travel docu· succeeded in resisting pressure from negotiations leading to tho agreement ment and use 1t for the purpose of nervous H K British citizens for the right (though China's Hong Kong & Macao overseas travel. to migrate to Britain, itself a very sensi­ Office had been active in seeing and All in all, the promises are so generous tive issue in British domestic politics. Last assuring delegations from various sectors that there is little ground for HK people but not least, Britain's trade relations of H K), the agreement offers no funda­ to reject the agreement, unless they are with China would be enhanced because of mental changes to the status quo for 50 seeking outright independence which in her cooperat1on with China on the HK years. The Chinese Central Government's itself is a non-starter. Both geo·pol itical issue. relationsh ip with the future H K Special realities and the fact that deep in t heir For China, the agreement represents a Administrative Region (SAR) is largely hearts most HK Chinese still owe their way to solve the unsolvable. For a long modelled on the existing relationship national and cultural allegiance to China time, because of diplomatic and strategic between London and HK -i.e. HK will (even though some of them may not considerations, China had been unwilling remain autonomous in its internal identify With the communist regime)

AJiran Monthly April/May 1985 14 militate against it. People can, though, cast doubt on whether the present or a future Chinese government would be prepared to honour what has been promised now on paper. However, this is very much a matter of subjective assessment and personal faith. As it stands now, the agreement seems to have struck a good bargain - in certain areas better than expected - in favour of HK and 1ts people. According to a large­ scale sample survey conducted by a well­ known professional marketmg research firm in October 1984,81% of the respon­ dents found the agreement on the whole "quite good"/"very good". While the agreement has succeeded in securing continuity of HK's modus operandi post 1997, hence hopefully retaining the faith of both foreign and local capital as well as the local popula· tion (in particular entrepreneurs and professionals) in H K, it has not really solved the more crucial and ultimate problem unveiled by 1997 - that of H K 's Apprehensive officials, jittery investors-Qnd people pklnning to leol'e future. The 'one country, two systems' design which will allow a self-governing capitalist society to thrive at the normal economic growth continues to be radical intellectuals who do not hold a periphery of the socialist motherland was sustained beyond 1997, the economic cynical or hostile atftude towards China. only guaranteed valid for 50 years. What gap between H K and the mainland should While they do not accept all that is in will happen to H K after 2047? The date remain quite considerable. The economic China, they loathe the idea of a 'HK may sound a bit too far ahead to warrant argument is therefore shaky. race'. They recognize that in the long­ serious contemplation at this stage, but it Furthermore, what holds a nation term interest of nati::>nal reunification, a ought to be realized that in the last together is not just the economic factor. way must be found for the two presently analysis, the 50 years from 1997 is yet Cultural identity and social purpose are different societies to 'Tlerge rather than to another period of 'borrowed time, also important pillars of nationhood. co-exist as an odd couple. This merging borrowed place' leading towards an Apart from its innate theoretical difficul· process does not necessarily imply the unknown destiny - the sort of destiny ties, the concept of 'one country, two subjugation of one to the other, but that H K has been subject to in the past systems' also presents a practical draw­ should be the outcome of a sincere several decades. This uncertainty will in back - that of segregating two parts of a dialogue and serious reflection by Chinese the long run have a demoralizing effect, nation in terms of their socio-economic on both sides on where ultimately Ch ina on the next generation, if not the present and legal structures, with such structures (and HK) should head towards. To the one, and could give rise to innate social founded on essentially contradicting integrationists, H K 's future, whether one and economic instability that could social philosophical premises. While it is likes it or not, must lie in Socialist render the future elected SAR govern­ useful as a transitional arrangement to China's destiny. Hence, attention should ment ineffective. This in turn could hold two formerly alien societies to· be paid now and during the next 62 years provide justification for intervention by gether, the concept should not be seen in to the China Question. Is socialism appro­ the Central Government and could harm itself as a long-term solution. priate to China's development and if so, the cause of democracy. Already two opposing trends are what form of socialism? What implica­ The Chinese Government does not beginning to emerge on the HK scene. tions will this have on China's political, appear to be unaware of the transitional One advocates, implicitly if not openly, social, economic and legal systems? nature of the arrangements When inter· continued segregation from the mainland What will be the fate of freedom and viewed by the press Jn September 1984 and its socialist influence using the SAR ·democracy in a socialist society, and so following the initialling of the draft agree­ as a buffer. While constitutionally and on. ment, the Chmese Foreign Minister politically they may not dare to turn HK The segregation vs. integration debate Mr. Wu Xue-qian said that the redoubling into an 'independent political ent1ty', is expected to loom large as 1997 comes of China's economic output by the end of supporters of this trend are working closer and would certainly dominate this century under her ambitious moder­ towards an ideological, cultural and social domestic politics in the future HK SAR. nization plans will enable her to enjoy by independence from China and in the It would in all likelihood cause some then a per capita income level of US$800. process reinforcing HK Chinese's aliena­ ripples to form. But this is a process Given another few decades, he was quite tion from the motherland which in the which H K people will have to learn to go optimistic that the mainland's living past had been a consequence of British through, for unless a clearer and more standard will come close to that of HK colonial rule and party political factors durable picture emerges of H K 's future, and without the economic disparity, it (such as the Kuomintang-Communist 2047 will bring about a greater shock and would be easy for the two sides to inte­ conflict ). The other trend, not very do more harm than the 1997 crisis e grate more fully. Such optimism must. conspicuous now, is for more integration however, be viewed with some scepticism. with the Chinese system. Supporters of Guest writer, l Cheung, is an Executive Com­ mittee member of Meeting Point. Meeting Point HK's per capita income is already in the this trend are from socialist sympathizers, is a voluntary organisation of young Hong Kong region of US$5,000. Provided that some social activists and liberal and intellectuals dedicated to democratic reform.

15 Aliran Monthly April/May 1985 Justice

Public Facilities and the Disabled

hen we glimpse a blind person well-being of the blind. Spaces for the services and trammg programmes avai­ tracing the outline of a pave­ disabled should also be al lotted in car­ lable to the disabled. For the blind, ment with his cane, or some­ parks. materials available on cassettes can be W one in a wheelchair laboriously Independent living among the blind increased if libraries will set aside certain manoeuvring over rough pavements as we can be made easier if their use of public sections for collections of talking-books. drive by, what are our impressions? In transportat ion is a less disorientating The Unviersity of Malaya has taken steps 1983, the Society of the Blind in West experience. The main problem is identi­ to establish such a collection, and to Malaysia held a series of meetings on the fication of the right bus. It would help if modify the structural design of parts o; access of the disabled to public faci lities. the bus-conductor calls out the number the Library to accommodate other Mr. Godfrey Ooi's report on these discus­ and destination of a bus. Similarly. disabled groups. sions makes us look at our environment announcements of destinations on trains The cumulative details in the Society's from a different perspective. It helps us is useful to the blind and others alike. report have made it manifestingly clear appreciate some of the problems daily Bl ind people have not been allowed to that more attention shou ld be given to faced by a segment of our society whose board certain planes without an escort. the problems of the disabled. It is also voices are seldom heard. As Mr. Ooi puts it, "There is a need to clear that the only way to effect changes As part of the general community. the make airport authorities aware of the is to make the government real ise that disabled utilise the same facil ities and psychological capabi lities of blind although the disabled make up only a amenities as the rest of society. These are passengers." minority of the country's population, roads, public buildings, public transpor­ Publ ic buildings such as government they do constitute a significant politicat tation and social and recreational activi­ departments, banks, post offices, element. The right to vote can be facili­ t ies. Each of these areas presents specific libraries, town-halls and cinemas need tated for a blind person by t he postal problems. Obstacles such as roots, uneven certain modifications and additions in ballot and the use of embossed squares on surfaces, the haphazard placing of street order to be accessible to the disabled. ballot papers. The Society has dectded furniture and decorative plants can make Wheel-chair ramps and modified toilets that a bureau would be formed to collect it hard for the blind to fol low a road. are almost unknown in this country. and compile relevant data and statistics Many items that are taken for granted by Seating arrangements for the disabled in on the disabled. This would be followed most of us can cause painful accidents to cinemas are virtually unthought of. up with discussions and analyses of date; the disabled. Dra ins. in particular Entrances to public bu ildings can be collected as well as correspondence witr monsoon and storm drains. if left un­ missed by the blind person unless some various government and voluntary bodies. covered and without guard rails, are traps. indication. such as a slightly-raised level There is also a need to set up a specia tseo In a dialogue with City Hall officials on or roughened surface, marks these parts body on legislation for the disabled The Federal Territory Day. reported in a local of a bu ilding. The base wall of certain ultimate goal of all t hese strategies is to newspaper, one blind person asked for public buildings are deeply recessed and he I p the government understand better covered drains because he had known of therefore difficult for the use of the cane. the needs of the disabled. friends who had fallen. into them. Li ttle wonder then to hear from one Our disabled are no longer merely The zig-zagged placing of lamp-posts. blind person that they are constantly waiting f or hand-outs. They are eager to sometimes on the inner edge of pave­ fight ing disorientation. assume their rights and responsibilities as ments and sometimes on the outer, 'We are in fact living in a social limbo, members of our society. More effective present an obstacle to the blind navigator. neither at the periphery nor in the main­ action must be taken by the responsible The similarity in shape and structure of stream", a blind businessman is quoted as authorities than the speeches, smiles and lamp-posts and bus-stops can be very saying. This brings up the importance of hand-shakes at charity lunches and tease confusing. The report therefore suggests communication with and information­ that bus-stops line the outer edge while dissemination to the disabled and from Summarised by Wong Soak Koon, based on a lamp-posts are placed on the inner. They them to the general public. Informat ion report prepared by Godfrey Ooi, Executive Secretary of the Society of the Blind, West should also be of different sh apes. These agencies should be set up within the Malaysia (who is also a member of Aliran). The details, which often escape the notice of welfare departments of the country to report is entitled Memorandum on Access of sighted persons, are crucial to the daily collect and disseminate information on the Disabled to Public Facilities.

Aliran Monthly April/May 1985 16 Development Bhutan Dieter Brauer The Blessings of a Late Start into Modernity

If "development" can be "We have started the development equalled with the notion of process very late. The disadvantage of "modernization", the small this late development has been that we Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan is have been left behind the rest of the world. But the advantage is that the perhaps the youngest of all development which has taken place in "developing" countries. Although other countries has been an example its history as an independent to us as to what to avoid." Most Bhuta­ state goes back to the 7th cen­ nese will probably agree with Foreign tury, the country only opened Minister Lyonpo Dawa Tshering on this up to the modern world some 20 assessment. No matter to whom one years ago. Bhutan was never talks in Bhutan, everyone seems to realize the dangers of the develop­ colonized. Protected by the ment process getting out of hand. rugged terrain with steep moun­ "Caution" is the one key word one tains rising up to 7500 m, the hears again and again'when discussing Bhutanese lived for centuries in the country's development strategy; isolation from the rest of the "harmony" is another. "The goal of world. The few contacts which development efforts in Bhutan is to existed were with the northern arrive at a self-reliant society charac­ terized by individuals who live in har­ and "hippie" culture which has been neighbour of Tibet rather than mony with themselves, their families, imported into the cities by "cheap" with India in the south. It was their communities. and their environ­ tourists from overseas; deforestation only after the occupation of ment", says Dasho Magrash Gurung, and erosion along the favoured trek­ Tibet by China in 1959 that Director of the Council for Social and king routes in the mountains; the Bhutan saw the necessity of Cultural Promotion. "We are develop­ changes in lifestyles that go along with opening its southern border. In ing for ourselves", explains the 29-year the presence of so many foreigners in 1962, the first road was built by old King, Jigme Singye Wangchuck. the country. Bhutan is determined to the Indians from the border "The success of our development ef­ learn from the mistakes of Nepal. In fort will be determined by the question 1983, only 2100 tourists were admitted town of Phuntsholing to the whether we are happy or not. If the har­ into the country. Each visitor has to Bhutanese capital of Thimphu. mony is disturbed, we will have failed." pay 130 US dollars per day to eliminate The completion of the road There are probably more countries the "cheap" tourists. Only guided marks Bhutan's entry into the in the world which cherish similar de­ group tours are allowed, and mountai· modern world. Twenty years velopment ideals. But there are few neering is still very restricted, with the later, the latecomer among the countries which have formulated as peaks of the High Himalayas still strict­ developing nations presents it­ coherent and consistent sets of action ly off-limits for mountain climbers. Of course, Bhutan has to pay a high self to the outside world as a to put these policies into practice as the government of Bhutan. Keeping economic price for this self-imposed country which is successfully the balance in a precarious ecological restraint in the development of tour­ trying to avoid the pitfalls of environment, and preserving the social ism. Last year, the country only earned modernization. Change has and cultural identity of the country are 1.6 million dollars from tourism, and ca­ come to Bhutan, but it seems the overriding principles of its develop­ pacities in the four main hotels are only the balance has not been upset. ment strategy. Economic gains are utilized to 15 per cent. A "master plan" . also important objectives, but they proposed by a group of foreign tourism CHINA have to take second place when a advisers recommends a target of 5000 choice has to be made. tourists for the year 1990 and a better distribution of visitors over the differ­ Example tourism ent seasons. But the Bhutanese view these plans with suspicion. They would rather forego economic profit than see The beautiful country with its snow· the country swamped by foreign visi­ capped mountains, fertile valleys, lush tors. rain forests. and rich cultural heritage could be a favorite tourist target. It offers simiiar attractions as neighbour­ Example forestry ing Nepal which is visited by tens of thousands of tourists every year. But in Another example of Bhutan's cauti· Nepal, the drawbacks of this deve· ous approach to development is pro­ lopment are clearly visible: the drug vided by the forest policy. Bhutan is

17 Aliran Monthly April/May 1985 Bhutan is a deeply religious country in genuine advantages. When it makes which the Buddhist tradition is still very sense, they stick to their ancient much in evidence. Beggar monk In the habits. For instance, high yielding rice streets of Thlmphu, the capital of Bhutan. varieties are not readily accepted be­ and Mines. "Conservation is more im­ caused home grown varieties have a portant than utilization. The forest better taste and fetch a higher price. brings indirect benefits by protecting But when it comes to the introduction roads and farms from landslides, and it of new cultivations like apples, carda­ is also important for agriculture and mon, or asparagus, the farmers are animal husbandry. We have to built the quick to respond. The many orchards people's consciousness for the value around the capital of Thimphu prove of the forests." that innovations are not taboo for the Traditional land use patterns in Bhu­ Bhutanese. At the moment, great tan tended to destroy rather than pro­ hopes are attached to the develop­ tect the forests. In the more densely ment of a mushroom industry. Pilot populated regions of the Paro, Thim­ projects financed by UNDP demon­ phu and Punakha valleys, the moun­ strate to the farmers how different tain slopes are frequently denuded types of mushrooms can be cultivated and eroded from slash-and-burn agri­ with relatively small inputs using main­ culture, clear-felling of trees, and over­ ly agriculture wastes and manure as a grazing The government has now de­ raw material. A young Thai expert is marcated most of the remaining fo­ training Bhutanese farmers in a de­ rests as state forests which are strictly monstation unit established in an army barred from any private utilization in­ camp near Thimphu. The potential of cluding logging. The villagers are given mushroom cultivation can be gauged "social forest" land on which they can by the success of Thailand which start· plant trees from government-donated ed 7 years ago to grow mushrooms seedlings for their own use. and now produces 60 000 tonnes an­ In the state forests, "scientific" nually. forestry is introduced with the help of about the only area in the whole Hima­ Swiss and UNDP/FAO experts. First, a Progress causes inequality layan mountain range where the ecole· detailed survey was made by way of air gical balance is still relatively intact. In photography and satellite surveillance. most other parts of the 2500 km long It was found that the new growth of Naturally, it will take time until new range, deforestation has caused tre­ wood every year amounts to about methods in agriculture will have mendous problems of soil erosion, 13.9 million cubic metres of which only spread to the farmers in the more re­ flooding, and landslides. In Bhutan, 5 to 10 per cent are exploited at pres­ mote areas. Although there are now 70 per cent of the total land surface are ent. Parts of the forests are actually 2000 kilometres of roads in the coun­ still covered by forests, and the Royal over-aged, and should be harvested to try, many valleys are still inaccessible Government is determined that this remain healthy. But logging is difficult for motor vehicles and can only be should remain so. lnspite of the need to in the steep, inaccessible mountains. reached on foot or mule back. Swiss earn foreign exchange, exploitation of In order to avoid cutting forest roads consultants are building steel suspen­ the forest resources is going ahead into the dense, untouched wilderness, sion bridges across the torrents and with utmost care. "The ecological bal­ individual demarcated trees are pulled rivers to link at least the two sides of ance is essential if we want to maintain out with the help of cable lifters provid­ the narrow valleys. In one case, Helve­ our way of life", says Dasho Chenkup ed by Swiss and Austrian experts. But tas, the Swiss development agency, Dorji, Director of Forestries, Industries, this method -while being environmen­ even built a veritable ropeway span­ tally sound -is hardly economical. As a ing an elevation from 1300 to 2800 consequence, the wood manufactur­ metres to provide access to a moun­ ing factory set up with UNDP aid in tain valley, and transport timber, fire­ Gedu in the southern forests is running wood, agricultural produce and local at only 30 per cent capacity and is suf­ people. fering a huge financial loss. When The difficult communication situa­ questioned about this, the King who is tion in Bhutan threatens to divide the also the Chairman of the Planning people into two distinct classes: those Commission, defends the decision to .near the road and those away from it. go ahead with the scientific, but not The road means access to markets, to very profitable method of logging. In schools, to hospitals and other modern fact, he accepts that there will be amenities. The lack of road means a losses until 1986, but hopes that after continuation of traditional subsistence that the factory will sustain itself. farming, and, very often, the exclus1on from modern services. There is the Innovation in agriculture danger that this problem will increase the inequalities in the society. The The Bhutanese are cautious people, government is aware of this problem: but they are not reactionary or back­ "For those who do not have access to Raising the environmental awareness ward. With all their attachment to their the roads, the government gives subsi­ of the people is a priority in the govern­ traditions and to Buddhist culture, they dies for health, education, agricultural ment's information policy. This poster are surprisingly flexible in picking up and livestock development", explains calls for protection of the forests. innovations when they seem to otter Dasho Lam Penchor, Deputy Minister

Aliran Monthly April/May 1985 18 of Planning and one of the most impor­ departments are gathered to review tant people in the country. "Inequali­ the achievements of the year 1983 and ties and disparities are unavoidable, plan for the year 1984. Some of the as­ but we are trying to make sure that the sembly members had to walk for two process of development does not pro­ days to reach Paro, while others come duce glaring disparities. Inequalities directly from the fertile valley which must be kept within acceptable limits." stretches below the Dzong from North to South. The discussions during the Decentralization review session are muted. The villag­ ers still lack the experience and the technical knowhow to press the go­ One attempt to spread the benefits vernment officials harder. Department of development as evenly as po~sible for department, last year's perfor­ is the policy of decentralization intro­ mance is reviewed. In agriculture, tar­ duced by the Royal Government. gets of the plan were not reached. Not While it may seem a little bit surprising enough seedlings for apple trees could that a hereditary monarch should in­ be procured. The reason: a plant dis­ troduce a system of local administra­ ease in India from where the seedlings tions and assemblies which take over were to come. The budget allocation part of the functions of the central for the coming year gives cause for government, the King himself sees no argument. In the end, there is a con­ loss to his authority. sensus - as always so far in the short history of the district assembly. Dungsto Perna Dor:ll In his Indigenous hospital In Thlmphu preparing some her­ bal medicine. Traditional medicine Ia Manpower problems encouraged by the government. narrow indoctrination", explains the One of the most serious problems Director of the Programme, Magrash of Bhutan is the manpower shortage at Gurung, "but expose them to the whol­ all levels. The total population is very istic framework of our philosophy, small -1.2 million -and dispersed over away from the profit-orientation of the 2 a country of some 47000km • For lar­ consumer societies from which they ger projects like road construction - come. It is a progressive, not a reac­ even maintenance - or the building of tionaryidea. What we have in Bhutan is the hydroelectric power station in something that needs to be preserved. Chukha migrant workers from India We teach them that their own transfor­ have to be used. In addition, there is mation is not possible without chang­ also a shortage of skilled manpower. ing the whole country and its people. It The gap is filled temporarily by profes­ makes sense to most of them." sional staff from India-doctors, teach­ Jigme Sing he Wangchuck, King of Bhutan. The policy seems to be successful. ers, engineers - and experts of foreign It is this young group of returnees who He feels that people's participation aid agencies, especially from the Unit­ are the strongest defenders of envi· serves to make development more ed Nations system. But Bhutan wants ron mental policies and of strategies to efficient and to cut down the costs. to break this dependency as quickly as become self-reliant. They have seen in "Some years ago, there was only a possible. Whereas before 1961, there Lndia or in the countries of the West centralized plan, but no plans for the were only monastic schools in Bhutan, what the costs of development can be. 18 districts," the .King elaborates. the government is now spending up to But their task to control the pace of "People did not understand what it was 20 per cent on education. 135 primary development is not easy. Because of all about. Now they draw up their own schools, 23 middle level schools and the small number of highly qualified development plans, and we go out to 8 central schools (equivalent to secon­ and trained Bhutanese, the influence the people and explain our objectives." dary) have been set up. The nucleus of of foreign advisors and experts is very Dasho Lam Penchor also sees very a university also exists. strong. positive changes as a result of decen­ So far, university training still has to tralization: "Formerly, development be done in India or abroad. Surprising­ was forced on the people from the ly, Bhutan has no problem of brain­ Foreign aid centre. People did not know the finan­ drain. Of all the students who left the cial implications of such programmes. country to study outside, only one did Since the opening of Bhutan in the often, the programmes had no relation not return to Bhutan. Apparently, the early sixties, the economic depen­ to the people's needs in the districts. cohesion within the society is still so dence on India has been overwhelm· Now, people are aware of the cost of strong that young people find it diffi­ ing. India's direct contribution to the development." cult or even impossible to break away annual government budget is larger Within the white-washed walls of from it. Upon their return to Bhutan, than the revenue collected in Bhutan the mighty Para Dzong - constructed students have to undergo a six-month itself. India also finances and executes in 1646 - which serves both as a reorientation excercise. The pro­ major development projects like the monastery and the seat of the local gramme is organized by the National Chukha Hydel project, and provides administration we become witnesses Council for Social and Cultural Promo­ the majority of teachers for Bhutans of decentralization in practice. 65 vil­ tion and consists of a one-month schools. Bhutan's currency, the Ngul­ lage headmen, elected village repre­ course on Bhutanese philosophy and trum, is tied to the Indian Rupee and sentatives, National Assembly mem­ culture and of community work in the is freely convertible in India; there is bers and officers of local government villages. "The idea is not to give them a also a free trade zone with India which

19 Aliran Monthly April/May 1985 allows the duty-free flow of goods bet­ for productive purposes which will to have sufficient funds to pursue its ween the two countries. generate hard currency to repay the development goals. Since the begin­ For Bhutan, this relationship means debt. Bhutan does not want to become ing of the last year, the country is ope­ that it has no balance-of-payments yet another country with a debt prob­ rating a small airline - Druk Air - with problems, because almost all goods lem. "The basic assumption is that we two German-built Dornier 228 aircraft needed in Bhutan can be bought in achieve a sustainable development", which connect the airfield in Paro with India. Conversely, India also provides a says Ugyen Tshering, Deputy Secret­ Calcutta. It is now easy 'to get to Bhu­ limitless market for Bhutanese pro­ ary in the Planning Commission. "lflor­ tan, and it seems that the airlink also ducts, like agricultural goods, timber, eign aid is cut we must still be able to helps to attract foreign aid missions. electricity, and cement. cope with the recurrent costs of a pro­ Some Bhutanese already fear that lnspite of these obvious advan­ ject". things may be getting out of hand. tages, Bhutan wants to diversify its ex­ Ugyen Tshering who has studied politi­ ternal relations. In 1971, the country Disappointments cal science and economics in Berke­ became a member of the UN. Even ley, California, and is by no means a earlier, UN aid agencies had started to conservative, admits that he is plagued help development in Bhutan. Today, Bhutan is one of the Least Deve­ by doubts: "Sometimes I fear, that the the United Nations Development Pro­ loped Countries-in fact, it ranks as the development will take on its own gramme (UNDP) which coordinates second poorest country in the world momentum. You push an idea, and you the UN aid is the second largest donor according to World Bank statistics. keep pushing it, and suddenly it starts in the country after India (see box with But the Paris LOG-Conference in 1981 moving and you can't control it any­ interview on UNDP activities). Bhutan which was supposed to bring special more." also wants closer relations with the relief to the 35 poorest states turned Bhutan has one great advantage small and - if possible - neutral coun­ out to be a disappointment for Bhutan. over other developing countries: it is tries of Europe: Switzerland, Austria, "The reponse from the donor countries not only a latecomer, able to learn from Sweden, the other Nordic countries, has not been very encouraging", re­ the mistakes of others but it is also not Holland. Recently, multilateral donors calls Dasho Lam Penchor. "It has only in a particular hurry. There is no popu­ like the World Bank, the Asian Deve­ been in words. They came to Paris, but lation pressure, and there is no really lopment Bank, and the EEC also made besides very flowery statements there serious land problem. On the asset their entry into Bhutan. was nothing in terms of contributions side, there are still many unexplored, "Caution" is a keyword for the Bhu­ to the pool of funds for the LDCs." and unexploited natural resources. tanese not only in relation to the envi­ Another disappointment came Bhutan can take its time, and it seems ronment, but also in matters of interna­ when UNDP had to cut its planned allo­ that most of its leaders, including the tional aid. What they fear most is the cations for Bhutan for the five-year King, have understood this. It can only creation of new dependencies For this period from 1982-86 by 55 per cent be hoped that foreign donors -and in­ reason, no aid is sought from the big from 33.6 to 21.6 million dollars. But in­ terests- will not push Bhutan to go fas­ superpowers. Loans are only accepted spite of these setbacks, Bhutan seems ter than it wants to go •

Reproduced ft9m Development and Cooperation No. 4/1984

PARTICIPATION - DEVELOP­ be contested. exceed 8" by 10" (20.2cm by 25.5cm) in srzc and preferably should be in blat:: k and MENT - PEACE PHOTO THEMES can tr~at any issue affecting the I ives of young people today \1\lflite to ensure qual'tt<¥ reproduction of ~ in all parts of the world. To cite merely a · winning photos in OF,. although colour AS A CONTRIBUTION to Inter­ few: will be accepted. OF will assume print national Youth Year (IYY). DEVELOP­ EMPLOYMENT/unemployment, rights on all photographs submitted. MENT FORUM (OF) IS sponsoring an education/traimng; participation m OF cannot return photO$ following "nternat1onal photo competition. OF is government, community affairs and all the competition nor enter into correspon­ the single regular publication of the aspects of national development; youth dence on any aspect of the competition. Unitee Natiors system in the fieLd of ideal$, voluntary work at hb,tne and .'f'J~ nope our reader.s and participants will economic and social development~,co· abroad and service to societY ~ aid to the understand that this attempt to make a published by the UN's Division for disabled, minorities. the aged, children, contribution to fYY and express solidar1ty Economic and Social Information (New nature and animals, the environment and with the youth of the world is bomg York) and the United Nations University conservation. refugees. fund raisil)g etc.; undertaken within existing staff and (Tokyo). the special problems of young women 1n financ1al resources limits. These :>ermit PHOTOS should illustrate, illuminate male-run societies. international under· us to assume only minimal extra admmis­ or comment upon one or more of the standinJJ and the globalist vision of One trative tasks. three basic themes of IYY- D!Z\YELOP· World;.,ndman longing for permanent ~· THE NAME, addr~s.and age of MENT. PARTICIPATION and PEACE world peace with justice and equity; the phOtographers should appear clearly on IVY has been declared by the UN to world of the spint; the joy of friendship the back of each photo 1o ensure proper forus international attention on issues and cooperation. letsure activities and identificatiOn of winners, despatch of facing yc-uth between the agE>.s of 15 and sport achievement; health care and disease certificates and pr:zes and any Sl.bsequent 25 prevention, drug aouse and treatment editions of OF in wh~ch contest f?8rtici­ THE TOP 20 photographers will be participation tn and promotion of the pants' photos appear. awarded s;ertificates of merit, an.d their natiorn~l heritage and culttge; and the .~ PHOTOS should pe sent to,: photos will ·he printed in the pages of OF. many forms of individual al)d group self· In add1tion. the top three will receive a expression .... This list is not exhaust1ve. Development Forum (IVY Photo Contest), 91ft in th3 form of a UN JJUblication. The CLOSING DATE for entry of photos UN Room DC1·559, United Nations judges' d~cision will be final and cannot is 31 July 1985. Photos should not Plaza, New York, NY 10017, USA.

Aliran Monthly April/May 1985 20 Hak Rakyat

Keadilan Sosial: Cita-cita Negara

Sahagian Pertama Salah satu undang-undang yang pengawasan yang tegas terhadap pem­ bertentangan dengan hak asasi manusia belian dan penjualan. Sebahagian dari dakah kita sekarang sedang menuju (walaupun secara tidak langsung) ialah rumah-rumah yang dibeli bukanlah untuk Ake arah keadilan sosial? Jawapannya Akta Percetakan. Mengikut Akta ini, didiami, tetapi ialah untuk tujuan 'tidak' walaupun sebahagian dari keper­ antara lain, pihak penerbit akhbar atau spekulasi. Rumah-rumah dibeli oleh lttan asasi rakyat telah dipenuhi setelah majalah terpaksa memperolehi permit mereka yang mampu, disewakan buat lebih dari 25 tahun kita merdeka. lni KDN jika hendak, menerbit atau terus beberapa waktu dan akhirnya dijual ialah kerana keadilan sosial bukan menerbit akhbar atau majalah mereka. bila harga sudah naik cukup tinggi. Sehu­ bererti semata-mata usaha memenuhi Sarna ada KDN akan diberi atau tidak bungan dengan ini harus juga diadakan keperluan-keperluan asasi tertenu. Ia akan diperutuskan oleh pihak Kemen­ undang-undang untuk meng11aramkan juga bererti usaha memelihara seluruh terian Dalam Negeri. Harus disedari spekulasi rumah dan tanah. Soalnya seka­ hak-hak asasi manusia dalam semua di sini bahawa KDN hanya akan diberi rang mengapakah undang-undang seperti bidang hidup termasuk bidang politik, bila arah akhbar atau majalah yang ini tidak diadakan? Jawapan kepada ekonomi dan juga sosio-budaya. berkenaan tidak bertentangan dengan soalan ini berkaitan dengan kepentingan Mula mula ingin saya membincang I.Ji­ kepentingan porti yang memerintah, yulongan yang berpengaruh dalam mas­ dang politik masyarakat kita. Jika walaupun ianya selaras dengan kepen­ yarakat yang mana sebahagian besar dari­ diteliti politik kita, khususnya dari segi tingan umum atau kepentingan nasional. nya adakah terlibat dengan parti yang penggubalan undang-undang, akan jelas Di sini harus disedari bahawa kepen­ memerintah. Mereka lebih gemar menge­ bahawa ada beberapa undang-undang tingan nasional dan kepentingan parti kalkan kedudukan serta kekayaan yang bertentangan dengan hak-hak asasi yang memerintah adalah dua perkara mereka. Antara cara yang digunal

21 Aliran Monthly April/May 1985 dapat dibezakan kedua-dua kepentingan itu keadilan sosial. Padahal, rakyat yang ini sesungguhnya akan melemahkan ini dapatlah diberi perhatian yang wajar berpengetahuan adalah asas kepada pem­ keutuhan sistem demokrasi kita, kerana bila saja berhadapan dengan masalah mas­ banguanan yang sebenar, kepada pemban­ demokrasi perlu kepada kewaspadaan di yarakat. Dengan cara begini kita akan gunan yang memelihara nilai-nilai ke­ pihak rakyat biasa. Setiap orang rakyat tahu yang mana yang mesti diberi keuta­ manusiaan · bukan semata-mata keben­ mesti mengambil berat tentang setiap maan bila timbul masalah-masalah mas­ daan. masalah masyarakatnya. Bolehkah suasa­ yarakat.Tentunya keutamaan harus diberi Satu lagi akta yang menyekat kebe­ na ini dicapai sekiranya sejak dari awal kepada kepentingan nasional. Lagipun, basan ialah Akta Universiti dan Kolej lagi sikap tidak memperdulikan masyara­ bukankah ini yang selalu ditegaskan oleh Universiti di luar kampus. Kalaupun kat telah dipupuk? pemimpin-pemimpin kita! hendak bergiat mereka haruslah mendapat Satu lagi akta yang menyekat kebe­ Berbalik kepada soal KDN, kita sedia kebenaran bertulis dari Naib-Canselor. basan kita ialah Akta Keselamatan Dalam maklum bahawa pihak kementerian Mungkin setengah orang berpendapat ini Negeri, satu akta yang telah banyak kadang-kadang tidak memberi KDN yang tidak merupakan sekatan kebebasan. menimbulkan kontroversi. Akta tnt dikehendaki. Selalunya sebab mengapa Cuma kebenaran harus diminta dari pihak sungguh tidak demokratik kerana ia mem­ permohonan ditolak tidak diberi. Walau Naib-Canselor. beri pihak pemerintah kuasa menahan bagaimanapun, kita difahamkan bahawa Di sini harus disentuh kedudukan sesiapa saja tanpa dibicara di mahkamah penolakan dilakukan kerana tujuan untuk Naib-Canselor sebagai pengetua universiti. secara terbuka. Prinsip keadilan tidak memelihara kepentingan nasional. Jika Sebagai seorang yang dilantik oleh pihak membenarkan mana-mana pihak menahan diteliti penolakan sebenarnya ialah kerana pemerintah, beliau tentunya akan con­ sesiapa saja sewenang- wenang, lebih-lebih penerbitan yang berkenaan bertentangan dong kepada kepentingan pemerintah bila lagi tanpa dibicara. dengan kepentingan parti yang memerin­ hendak menentukan sama ada hendak Akta Keselamatan Dalam Negeri boleh tah - bukannya kepentingan nasional. atau tidak memberi kebenaran kepada juga disalahguna untuk menahan mereka Adakah ini satu usaha memelihara keadi­ penuntut bergiat di luar kampus. Jika yang bersikap kritikal terhadap pihak lan sosial? Tentunya tidak kerana ia seorang penuntut, misalnya, hendak pemerintah, walaupun mereka ini berada menafi hak menyuara atau mengeluarkan menolong setinggan-setinggan dia tidak di luar gelanggang politik kepartian. Men­ pendapat oleh rakyat, lebih-lebih lagi akan mendapat kebenaran kerana yekat kebebasan mereka yang mengkritik dalam sebuah sistem demokrasi. usahanya bertentangan dengan kepen­ pemerintah adalah sama sekali tidak adil. Kita difahamkan bahawa demokrasi tingan parti yang memerintah walaupun Ia akan mencemar demokrasi kita kerana hanya amalan pemerintahan majoriti tidak bertentangan dengan kepentingan kritikan adalah satu ansur penting dalam melalui proses pilihanraya. Yang sebebar­ nasional. Dengan cara begini bagaimana­ demokrasi it u sendiri. Memang tidak sala'h nya demokrasi bukanlah semata-mata kah universiti boleh melibatkan diri jika difahamkan bahawa demokrasi amalan memi lih pemimpin berdasarkan dalam proses pembangunan masyarakat? bererti bantahan, dan sa lah satu bentuk pemilihan majoriti. Ia juga bererti penyer­ Sesungguhnya, sesebuah universiti itu bantahan ialah mengkrit ik. Demokrasi taan rakyat dalam pengendalian masya­ adalah juga agen pembangunan yang yang tidak membenarkan bantahan tidak rakat. Rakyat bukan saja berhak memilih boleh memberi sumbangan yang ber­ sewajarnya dipanggil demokrasi. pemimpin, tapi juga berhak memerhati makna. Sumbangan boleh diberi mela­ Sepatutnya, pihak pemerintah harus­ kepimpinan itu melalui kritikan-kritikan lui usaha menyebar pengetahuan kepada lah menerima segala bentuk kritikan yang membina supaya penyelewengan masyarakat ramai. Malangnya dalam mas­ (tetapi Aliran tidak menganjurkan kriti­ tidak berlaku. Bila penyelewengan ber­ yarakat i ni universiti dianggap sebagai kan yang semata-mata berdasarkan sent­ laku kepentingan ra kyat akan terkorban. sebahagian dari sistem birokrasi yang ada. imen perkauman ataupun yang samasekali Sejarah pernah membuktikan bahawa be; Sebenarnya, universit i bukanlah sebaha­ tidak rasional) sebagai bahan maklam­ berapa negara telah musnah kerana ke­ gian dari birokrasi. Ia adalah satu institusi balas yang dengan mudah boleh dipergu­ pimpinan yang menyeleweng, kerana ke­ pengajian tinggi yang membuat berbagai nakan untuk membetul segala kelemahan pimpinan yang tidak jujur serta tidak her­ kajian dalam berbagai bidang ilmu dalam dasar atau sistem pentadbiran. moral. Menerima demokrasi semata-mata pengetahuan sebagai sumbangan kepada Dengan cara begini prestasi pemeri ntah sebagai usaha memberi mandat kepada perkembangan ilmu pengetahuan. Dan akan tentunya bertambah baik, dan ini rakyat memilih pemimpin dan selepas pengetahuan ini pula hendaklah disampai­ akhirnya akan membuat rakyat lebih kuat itu menyerah kan segalai)alanya kepada kan kepada masyarakat. lagi menyokong pihak pemerintah. Rak­ pemimpin sebenarnya bertentangan den­ Dengan adanya Akta Universiti dan yat mana yang tidak akan menyokong gan hakikat dan nilai demokrasi itu Kolej Universiti, masyarakat universiti pemerintah yang benar-benar mementing­ sendiri. Janganlah kita bermegah hanya telah dipisahkan daripada masyarakat se­ kan keseluruhan rakyat? Dalam perkata· mengaku bersifat demokratik, tapi tidak keliling. Akan timbul anggapan bahawa an lain, kritikan boleh menghasilkan menghormati demokrasi. masyarakat universit i tidak bertanggung­ kesan positif kepada pihak pemerintah Sekatan bersuara melalui KDN, dari jawab kerana tidak memperdulikan jika ianya tidak disekat, tetapi seba­ segi yang lain, juga mempunyai kesan masyarakat sekeliling. Padahal, wang yang liknya disusuli oleh tindakbalas yang ber­ buruk kepada masyarakat khusus dari segi membiayai universiti datangnya dari saku kenaan. Menyekat kebebasan mengkritik usaha mendidik masyarakat. Dari segi rakyat. Suasana ini tentunya akan mem­ akan hanya membawa kepada suasana akademik memang kita boleh dikatakan perteguhkan lagi fahaman menara gading yang lebih buruh dalam bentuk prasang­ sudah agak berjaya. Sudah ada banyak di mana masyarakat universiti menjadi ka serta khabar angin yang tidak sihat • sekolah, maktab dan universiti yang angkuh kerana terpisah dari masyarakat Yusuf Shariff ujud. Tapi dari segi pendidikan masyara­ sekeliling. Akhirnya, universiti kita akan kat (social education) kita masih lagi menjadi semacam kilang yang mengeluar­ kan ijazah. Uncapan ini diberi di forum mengenai keadilan ditahap yang amat rendah. Usaha yang Sosial, anjuran Persatuan Sa ins Kemasyaraka­ lebih serius harus dilakukan dalam bidang Oleh kerana Akta Universiti telah men­ tan, Universiti Sains Malaysia pada 27 Februari ini. Tapi bagaimanakah boleh kita mendi­ anam benih-benih memisahkan diri dari 1985. Saudara Yusufmewakili A/iran dalam dik masyarakat dengan adanya sekatan masyarakat ini akan menghasilkan sikap forum terse but yang dianggotai oleh duo KDN? Bagaimana, misalnya, hendak kita tidak memperdulikan masyarakat di peserta yang lain. berjuang ke arah keadilan sosial jika kita kalangan siswazah-siswazah kita setelah Sahagian kedua ucapan beliau akan disiarkan sendiri tidak benar-benar faham apakah meninggalkan kampus nanti. Sikap seperti bulan depan.

Aliran Monthly April/May 1985 22 (/')e-rr m-c:uo(l)...,llOJ ::r --< =· 0.. (/') ...... ,. tn croro :::;::r-o...,cmco- 0 ...<1) g_o:::;mgos. ~~~ a~.3~s-~s-~~~ (l) v;· -... :I (l,) ::> .., - ro -· a. :r ro (l,) :::; - -1 -1 ~ § Z ~- ro -g _. g- a.. ..., ~ a. ~ c :3 -· ,_ ~ - ~o-ro :::;3-~ ~ -1 Q6 orowru::rQ"' ro o :i' N~o (J) ~o~::rn- o ~ m~moE::J iil(l,)<-- ::r o- ::r (l < "' -· -o o < ro :c. ::J 0 - · ~ ..., ~ :c. ro -· )> x I -· ft)- V» c < ~ o. Q). ~ ~(150§~ Q"SS. ...,ro::J::J-x-<:::.ro~"'ro-· ..... ~-og. ~ga::J ::1 (';) ~ (t ... < c;· ..., () s- ~ ::r <0 ~ c;· c 3 g -·- -· < ro - ·...... c ;:! "' :E <1) ~~<"'(l,)m~a.= m§~~s~· ~-t i :::;g.8_~ro"'~g:::;o"2.-. ~OCJ@ iil ::; a ro ~ . 9-: tO 5- ~· ..., ::J c; ..., -· Q) - -·- :::; ~ ~ ::r :r ~ o w "' m ;:) -1 0 c :;: -· .,. () CX> .... (1) .>O"< C' C' .... ::::. (t) 0 Q. < 0 3· o · 5_ ~ · ro ro ro ro < ;;; c ... =r.,. o- 0 c -ro )> <0-. -~<"'::J::Jco"'::J Zm ~ :D-rol>-· "'iil :S:::; .,. ... ro v ~ ~- ru 2 ~ =~ ::r =~~c~ro-ros- ~m < ;[:::; $. ... <1l .... ::J ::J () ::J ~ ~-m ~- O~ ~ "'- 0 0 c< g:.::j;g-a ::J ~=@ c: < ::l C' -· ,.... ~ :::;) ..-+ - ,.....j. -· c: 6-ro§<:::;s;g::Ji.llro:::;ro n ::~n::sc3...,:J ~OS ~ ~(l,)~<~3~oi ~ 2 ::l~:O(]l.-+OC,.....,_..C: Q O .. "0 ;:, ~oms 9-~ g~ g g-=·5 (1) -c::>:::>::rg::~c oa.~· =· ::r -·-o~o,...::J:rm o - :::; 0.. (1) sYl a. <1>-. C.'""'(/) :I e!. ' lO ' C?· - <0 ~ - "' ~ ~m~9 ?o~ro::> l> = "' I

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Aliran Monthly April/May 1985 24 Africa Famine Fund

llran is hereby donating $1,000 to CURRENT COMMENT A the Africa Famine Fund launched A record of Aliran's complete press statements · by various newspapers in the country. This sum of money was pledged at the made in the preceding months Dialogue of Concern II on "Poverty in Malaysia" organised by Aliran on the 17th February 1985. The twelve other Community Involvement In organisations which were present, ranging Education - which is the ultimate purpose of from political part ies to public interest education. societies, also pledged to make their own I iran welcomes the idea of more To do this effectively, the Ministry of contributions. AI iran hopes that they will A active community involvement in Education must get rid of all those rigid fulfill their pledges. the education of our students. rules and regulations which deny students All individuals and organisations who However, community involvement access to rational, progressive ideas. cherish human dignity and feel for human should not be confined to school sports, Books and magazines which help to suffering should come forward to contri­ open days, jumble sales. food fairs and nurture creative, critical thinking should bute towards this worthy cause. The cultural festivals. be used liberally within the classroom. suffering and degradation which has If education is a process of developing Films and cassettes which help to nourish affected large parts of drought stricken social awareness, then community a sense of commitment to truth and Africa has no parallel in recent history. involvement must also provide our justice, should be made easily available to As fellow hurr.an beings we should do all students with a deeper understanding of the student population. Individuals, out· we can to prevent the further loss of the realities that influence their lives. side the establishment, concerned about innocent lives. Primary school pupils, for instance, the welfare of their fellow human-beings While collecting money for the victims should be exposed to how people live and should be given the freedom to speak to of this famine Aliran hopes that the news· work at different levels, and in different students on social issues. papers would take the opportunity to spheres. of society. They should be What this means is that community educate the Malaysian society about the sh own how a huge portion of our popula­ involvement in education should lead underlying causes of this tragedy. It is tion struggles to survive. This sort of eventual ly to the emergen ce of a whole obvious that the drought is not due education can be transmitted through generation of thinking. caring human entirely to natural causes. Superpower field-trips, excursions. foster-home beings. There is no point at all in getting politics, wrong agricultural policies and projects and the like. the community involved in education if an ineffective administrative system Similarly Secondary school students it merely means participation in a among other factors are also responsible should be required, as part of their school's social activities. Such participa­ for the present plight of the victims of curriculum, to work during their vaca­ tion will only resul t in local elites the famine. tions with depressed rural and urban dominating school activities for their own The newspapers should also use the communities. Through reflection derived self-glorification. It will make a mockery occasion to emphasize the importance of from conscious experience, they may of the whole concept of community approaching problems of justice and in· become more sensitive to the plight of involvement in education. justice. outside communal perspectives. the poor. Th1s is one way of inculcating Schools. youth organisations. civic clubs, Chandra Muzaffar an impulse for justice among our students 25 February 1985 President trade unions and political parties should also show the general public how human disasters such as the African famine transcend ethnic, religious and even national boundaries.

Shanthi Ayinarappan 27 February 1985 Treasurer

Refugees in Korem. Ethiopia: millions ofAfricans ore starving UJ death A need for assistance

25 AJiran Monthly April/ May 1985 CARIBBEAN Battle group with carrier Coral Sea arrives this month. ELSALVADOR 4 7 military advisers.

PACIFIC Carrier Ranger with escorts took up station Operation Eastern July 25. Battleship Wind: 2,800 troops New Jersey on the way. to demonstrate amphibious tactics.

Not since Viet Nam has the U.S. flexed so much muscle abroad

Ethnic Polarisation Lange vs US Nuclear Warships: An Act of Courage t is wrong of the Minister in the Prime I Minister's Department, Datuk James Ongkili, to suggest that ethnic polarisa­ he political and military arrogance of tion is caused by Malaysians "taking T the United States' government, and national unity for granted". in particular its current President, is once Ethnic polarisation is caused by a again on display for the world to see. whole variety of factors, among them In his first term in office, President competition for wealth and power Reagan not only embarked on the between Bumiputras and non-Bumiputras development of new nuclear weaponry, in at the middle and upper levels of society, particular the MX-missile system, but unequal economic development, econo· invaded little Grenada in the Caribbean. mic and social policies that distinguish Only a short while after his second term one community from another, lack of began, he started pushing ahead with a social mobility for segments of different "Star Wars" nuclear system and has ethnic groups, a lack of appreciation of threatened to overthrow the Nicaraguan the importance of cultural diversity government. Over the past five years among policy-makers and a lack of under­ Reagan has provided military aid to standing of the historical and cultural unpopular regimes in the Philippines, El background of the country within a huge Salvador, Chile, Haiti, S. Korea and else­ section of the population. where which consistently violate human Lange There is no doubt at all that ethnic rights. polarisation is due largely to the govern­ And now, as a result of the New ment's own policies. Zealand government's ban on US nuclear· Any review of approaches to national capable warships coming into that a world of peace. Indeed, these two unity should come to grips with this country's ports, Reagan is also threaten­ super-powers are the world's largest arms­ painful truth. As long as there is no ing New Zealand with various forms of merchants and in their arms-race have honest diagnosis of the problem of ethnic retaliation - Wellington being a tradi· brought the world to the brink of nuclear polarisation, the national unity depart­ tional ally of Washington notwithstan­ war. ment will continue to pursue superficial ding. The effort towards genuine world solutions. Such solutions will only worsen Like the Soviet Union which invaded peace is the responsibility of the other the communal situation. and still occupies Afghanistan, and which nations of the world. Several considera­ Chandra Muzaffar is also involved in a military build-up, the tions are in order though. 27 February 1985 President US too, cannot be relied upon to sponsor First, these nations must reject being

Aliran Monthly April/May 1985 26 drawn into the orbits of the super­ people of the world to work towards private sector should be allowed to set up powers. Witness for instance the NATO­ genuine peace. They must demand, as the colleges and universities as long as they Warsaw Pact complexes and how the majority of the 3.2 million people of New conform to the national education policy. Western and East European nations that Zealand have demanded, that their Of course, it is important that all these are involved in them have equally contri­ elected representatives put nuclear dis­ institutions of higher learning uphold buted towards world tensions. At another armament on the agenda. scholastic values and maintain academic level Third World nations are also often Persuading their governments to close standards. Otherwise it will only lead to engaged in wars of proxy against one their ports to all nuclear-capable war­ further erosion of confidence in our another on behalf of the super-powers . ships, regardless from where they universities and colleges. who arm them. And within the Non· originate, might be an important first step Chandra Muzaffar Aligned Movement, pro-Washington and towards the noble end of genuine peace. 5 March 1985 President pro-Moscow factions are clearly develop­ Loh Kok Wah ing. To take up this responsibility 1 March 1985 Exco Member towards genuine peace. the non-super­ Resignation of the Governor of power nations must be genuinely non­ Bank Negara aligned. Second, non-superpower natibns must f the differences in approach to fiscal realise that what counts in the end is not I matters between the Governor of Bank what we say but what we actually do. If Negara and the political leadership were the former was true, then· the super­ fundamental in nature, then they should powers would be the leading advocates have been brought to the notice of Parlia­ for peace. Yet we know they are engaged ment, as the law provides for. By in billion-dollar preparations for war. resigning without making the real reasons Closer to home, the ASEAN nations have public, the Governor of Bank Negara, Tan also floated their idea of ZOPFAN (a Sri Aziz Taha, has deprived the public of Zone of Peace. Freedom and Neutrality) Increase in Fees for Foreign an opportunity to appraise differing but continue to allow the US and Students in Australia approaches to what appear to be crucial Commonwealth to maintain military economic and fiscal issues. bases in their midst. This is one of the liran regrets the proposed 20 to 30 Aliran is of the opinion that Bank reasons why ZOPFAN has remained a A per cent increase in fees for foreign Negara must never deviate from its role dream. students in Australia. Since Malaysians as the nation's financial conscience and It is in this context that Premier David constitute the largest number of foreign guardian of its reserves. This means that Lange of New Zealand deserves to be con­ students in that country, this decision of Bank Negara must always insist on gratulated. In line with his Labour Party's the Aust ralian government is bound to be prudent management of the nation's electoral promise to work towards the viewed with dismay by a lot of Malaysian finances. creation of a nuclear-free Pacific, the NZ families. It is to the credit of Tan Sri Aziz Taha government has imposed the current ban Given Australia's expressed desire to that he has. in the Bank's annual reports, on US nuclear-capable warships. In strengthen relations with ASEAN and often warned against the dangers of similar fashion. the NZ government has Asia as a whole, it may want to consider spending beyond one's resources. This announced that the ban would also be deferring the proposed increase to a later warning is most timely in view of our imposed on British warships should the date. This would give countries like serious balance of payments deficits and British, like the Americans, refuse to Malaysia some time to work out alter· our huge foreign debts problem. divulge whether they are nuclear-powered native arrangements for those studying, Both these grave challenges to our or armed before coming into port. or intending to study. in Australia. economy will become even more Because of this brave and moral stand More important, however, the Austra­ formidable if the political leadership towards creating a nuclear-free Pacific, lian decision to increase fees for foreign continues to pursue some of its present and ultimately nuclear arms control and students is yet another reminder to us policies - against sound advice from disarmament. this small nation in the that we cannot depend upon others to Bank Negara. The type of industrializa­ South Pacific is now threatened with provide for the higher education of our tion the political leadership has in mind. ostracism and other forms of retaliation own students. A few years ago, British for instance. is going to worsen both the by the US government. universities and colleges raised fees for debt and the balance of payments situa­ Whether these threats will materialize foreign students and Malaysia was badly tion. Besides it will not strengthen our or not, the NZ government has, through affected since there are more Malaysians own industrial base and will only make us its courage and integrity. conveyed a than anyone else among foreign students more dependent upon the international most important message to the family of in Britain. It is not a matter of pride that system. Similarly, by ordering Bank nations. Size and military strength are of there are more than 60,000 Malaysians Negara to release funds to banks for the little consequence when a leadership and studying abroad. The vast majority of purchase of shares, the government is not a people decide to act on the basis of them are forced to go overseas since they going to stimulate business. This is why it ethical principles. Indeed, David Lange cannot get places in local colleges and is wise to restrict lending at this stage for has shown the whole world what each universities. Education abroad on such a 'productive purposes' only. and everyone of us can achieve when we massive scale is a drain upon our In view of the obvious weaknesses in decide to say 'no' to wrong-doing, to economy. The nation loses more than 2 some of the government's fiscal measures, injustice. It is the sort of power that billion ringgit every year through our Aliran hopes that Bank Negara will have every human being - like every nation - inability to provide for the higher educa­ the courage and the integrity to resist possesses in the ultimate analysis. it is tion of our own people. pressures from the political leadership to this moral power that really matters. This is why more colleges and universi­ implement directives which may be However. since brave and moral ties should be established immediately. If detrimental to the nation's well-being. gov~rnments are. few and far between. it the government cannot afford to expand Ang Boon Chong is, in the end, the responsibility of the its higher educat ion programme, the 8 March 1985 Exco Member

27 Aliran Monthly April/May 1985 Thinking Allowed A doser look at what people say and do the world over

/ / !,lt;/1-:;/-:;I ___.-' //// I //~ --~//' .,-/ - __ .;~// -~ Foe • countcy ~ke Mol•ysi• thot _ ~ -.....:::-~..., claims to believe in neutrality and non- .:,.- ., ·• -/:$' alignment, this concern is certamly ::.---~ ·- JUStified . Neverthless. one has to remmd griculture Minister ~ oneself that this IS only one side of the Anwar Ibrahim asked recently why are story. This is because we also have, of some Bumiputra university graduates late, in our midst, US warships, perhaps seem less concerned about social issues in w1th nuclear capabilities. occasionally the rural areas these days - after getting stopping by at out ports for "soc1al some fat salaries in town. visits". Maybe the answers are not difficult Not only that. If Malaysia is to really to find. For one thing. the students keep close to its neutrality stand. th n generally are living in a (campus) situa· it certainly has to be wary of other tion in which it is not so easy to discuss vessels of major powers such as the social problems and protest against French. For unless we are very careful social injustice. That kind of "informal ustice Minister Da­ about all these marine movements. we training" IS lacking, what with the laws tuk Dr James Ongkili. seems to be con­ might just be helping to push the c ock governmg social activities on campus. cerned about Soviet submarines purpor­ nearer to the day when we get ourselves Also in these days of money and tedly pass1ng through the Malacca Straits. "French-fried"! millionaires. students are encouraged to take courses (not "causes") that would enable them to manage the firm, factory and workers - as opposed to the tradi­ tional emphasis on critical thinking, justice, truth and freedom. mance Minister This "management syndrome" seems Daim Zainuddin criticised Malaysians to have spread in our society to such who spend their money and time travel­ an extent that some university students ling abroad. This is a timely outburst are required to wear neck-ties - or tie especially in the wake of the govern­ their necks - and look smart. Now. can ment's attempt to save the country's you really blame them for having some foreign exchange (remember BMF. etc?). kind of a "hang-up" about managing While we fellow Malaysians fully only their self-interest' agree with his deep concern, we're wondering whether he was being a little • rior to Pakistan's general too harsh on his collegues, friends and election. President Z1a Ul Haq announced people in the upper stratum of society. that the country would soon be having a especially those who have a lot of money free election. Initially sceptics could not to spend abroad. Some of them spend buy that, while others did jump for joy. weeks and months overseas. Perhaps, The truth of the matter is many these people have very good reasons to Pakistanis did not realise that what their want to flee the country. even though President really meant was that he had temporarily. The reasons could range the freedom to lock up his political from lookmg for more international opponents to ensure that the election business contacts to seekmg intellectual would be free of "trouble-makers". sanity, to having a great time, buying foreign consumer items to breathing international holiday resorts or clubs) a relatively fresher air of freedom m the but also be insulated from the harsh dignitary in a cer­ West. realities of the native land tain country recently asked one of his Perhaps one way out of this problem is Once that IS done it would be poss1ble government officials to quit t11s post to build "foreign places" domestically. for a Malays1an (only the nch and famous because he was allegedly inefficient. Meaning tho government in collaboration ones) to hop from one "international One only hopes that the off1cial w1th the pnvate sector could develop spot" to another in h s or her own doesn't become the dignitary's arch several places · n Malays a m such a way country. He or she may not be go1ng (g1ven the latter's propenSity for that they would not only look modern. around the world. but would certamly sophisticated and expensivP (like exclusive be qoing arounn in a circle.

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