Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
speak up!
the eye
tuan Agong, who represents liberal” school of thought need to wait and see how
Abiding all of us regardless of our within the party. There is extensive these will be.
Times ethnic background. His
Majesty takes precedence
much curiosity about how
the party will move forward,
The Malaysia Think Tank
has been advocating the
by Tunku ‘Abidin precisely because he is our particularly since there was democratisation of political
Muhriz paramount figurehead. We a furore over the call to ban parties for some time now,
ask for his safe reign in Sisters in Islam (which was, so these are welcome signs.
our national anthem after it is now admitted, a mis- If the parties themselves are
UNLIKE the Transformers a “Keris of Leadership” that cept of “unity” in this column collectively shedding our take). On the other hand, democratic then the state
(warning: spoilers ahead), would, if unsheathed in some before: one could produce a symbolic blood and extolling the party is on its way to assemblies and Parliament
split into the Autobots and distant future, magically slay catalogue of intra-Malay the virtues of living with one opening up full membership will be too. Their ranks will
Decepticons whose eternal discord among the race. What conflict, including numerous another in peace. That is to non-Muslims, which is a be much more accustomed
enmity has a clear and undis- we do have is a constitution, civil wars and lesser rivalries, the unity which, our coat of significant step. to competing with other
puted origin, Malays support- wherefrom our institutions, and it would be thicker than arms declares, “is strength”. In the meantime, PKR people, and familiar with
ing different political parties some ancient and some mod- the Port Klang Free Zone The role of politicians does has transformed into a the idea that they serve at
have no such back-story. ern, derive their continued le- report. Of course, I don’t not feature. much more democratic the grassroots’ behest.
We, the people of Malaysia, gitimacy, and through which condone war, but the point is If politicians are to “unite” party, after the passing of However, what no party
including all those of us the the aspirations and freedoms that Malays have disagreed there ought to be some good amendments to introduce has yet effectively tackled is
government recognises as of the Malaysian people are with each other in the past, public policy or ideologi- term limits and directly the selection of candidates for
Malay, have multiple herit- supposed to be protected and and often allied with non- cal grounds for them to do elect the party president, state and federal elections,
ages. The ancient Malay rul- advanced. Malays to emerge victorious. so: if not, the endeavour is in addition to lowering the which is still determined by
ers did not collectively forge We’ve discussed this con- The difference is that now we nakedly about power. It’s qualifying age of the youth the leadership. Without pri-
otherwise expected that wing. The requirement for maries or caucuses, YBs are
they should disagree with women to comprise 30% of less likely to feel beholden to
each other, and I reckon all decision-making com- their constituents, and less
most Malaysians prefer it mittees suffers the usual resistant to defection. I hope
that way. We want them to problems of such targets, that one of our great politi-
come up with different ways which is that more qualified cal parties takes the lead on
to tackle the nation’s prob- men may lose out, and some this. It’s the most foolproof
lems, secure our freedom women might consider it method of getting independ-
and increase our prosperity, condescending that they ent constituency-minded
so that we have a genuine need this provision, but parliamentarians, instead of
choice every five years. overall it’s a big step in the deceptive automatons.
Now, although PAS has democratisation of our poli-
re-affirmed its fraternity tics, and hopefully all other Tunku ’Abidin Muhriz is di-
with its Pakatan partners, political parties take note. rector of the Malaysia Think
the episode might have Indeed since last year Tank (waubebas.org). Com-
already incurred electoral there have also been voices ments: letters@thesundaily.
costs to the party among in Umno advocating internal com.
letter
letters@thesundaily.com