Why civil society must take the lead now
December 23, 2007
I was asked at the 11th hour to speak at the DAP organised forum last Friday at the Chinese Assembly Hall entitled ‘ “ISA arrests of Hindraf 5 – Ops Lalang2 coming?”
I agreed to speak as I was given to understand that otherwise, there would not be any civil society voice on the panel, the others all being DAP speakers, and I felt it was important to lend a civil society voice to this very pressing issue.
Other panellists included DAP leaders Lim Kit Siang, Lim Guan Eng, Fong Kui Lun, Loke Siew Fook, M Kulasegaran, A Sivanesan, Teresa Kok and Dr Tan Seng Giaw whilst Tony Pua chaired the forum.
You can read a report of the forum in Malaysiakini HERE.
For me, the forum fortified a view I have increasingly come to hold : that we, you and I, and all of civil society, and not the political parties, BN or opposition, have to take the lead in bringing an end to race-based politics in this country.
I was shocked and gravely disappointed to see and hear DAP leaders at the forum play and manipulate the race card by harping on the issue of marginalised Indians simply because the audience in the hall was almost 80% Indians.
I was most disheartened when I heard Kula refer to the Indians in the audience as his ‘countrymen’.
Kula, am I not your countryman?
Were the non-Indians in the audience not your countrymen?
Were we not there to discuss the likelihood of a second Ops Lalang? Or was this staged just to enable DAP to draw an Indian audience?
If UMNO and BN are using the Hindraf rally and the aftermath to stir up Malay sentiment for their own political mileage, DAP demonstrated last Friday that they are not averse to use the same to play the race card, albeit slanted differently.
I have had enough of race-based politics, whether BN or opposition led.
If we are to have a chance to end this raced-based divide and rule, you and I, civil society must take the lead.
And we must take the lead now.
We must take the lead to give direction to the political parties.
BN will not listen.
The opposition parties must now heed our call.
December 23, 2007 at 12:14 pm
“I have had enough of race-based politics, whether BN or opposition led.”
You have my undivided support here. Looks like we will have to show these political parties that communal and racial emphasis no longer present an attractive option after 50 years of independence.
December 23, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Yes Haris, we do not want to climb out from the tiger’s backside only to fall back into the lion’s mouth. Please have a heart to heart talk to LKS. I believe he is more than willing to hear you out than dear-ol-dumbo.
December 23, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Here I am again but this time only to voice my agreement with you. While I can understand that it will be very difficult in the Malaysian-type political system not to pander to the banality of racial politics, we must hold the opposition parties to much higher standards since they have identified with our struggle and our sentiments for human rights. So walk the talk DAP, PAS and PKR! You must not and cannot be just sitting opposite the BN in parliament but act and speak the opposite of them. Give us good assurance and reasons to give you our votes. Nasib baik Haris you were there. I am sure you spoke to the panel clearly and strongly. I hope LKS will address your concerns.
December 23, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Well Haris,
Let’s see what happens now. After all, LKS did say “Go ahead” when you told him you’ll be writing on your concerns about that particular forum.
“No compensation without representation” and we must place a premium to our votes.
December 23, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Dear Haris,
Thank you so much for this post. This is my vision as well, as a matured/neutral-nothing/mastery/globally oriented, freethought, star trek fan – I think you’ll get what I mean.
I was also present at the Forum from start till the end & was suprised at the % of Indians in the hall. I think many in DAP we’re suprised too. Many of the speakers would probably have structured what they said differently, but changed it because of the percentage of Indians in the hall.
The last speaker, Kit Siang’s son, spoke more in detail about ISA & the unity that we want – not based on religion/race/creed.
Overall, I though it was a great Forum, knowing the Indians there, many would stand for the unity and oneness that we want. I agree that more “redirection” & reminding needs to be done by the opposition & as a member of DAP, I will do my best to promote and enroll others into this vision.
Thank you once again, for making a difference
Cheers,
Surind
December 23, 2007 at 4:49 pm
One people, one nation.
December 23, 2007 at 4:50 pm
Haris
This is the lead I have been looking for. You know you have my whole hearted support for Civil Society to take this lead whose objectives will have to be for the advancement and peaceful and harmonious living together of we Bangsa Malaysia. The road is long. But this is a start. My only hope is that you now don’t have to fight with the opposition politicians too.
December 23, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Very depressing – no wonder the feeling of doom. A lot of Malaysians still put off by DAP to vote for them despite how much we despise the BN for their corruption and arrogance. Difficult to trust PKR either.
Read a very interesting article in Colour Blind – for an effective general election strategy for the opposition – the opposition should unite and strongly consider this strategy – makes a lot of sense.
December 23, 2007 at 7:44 pm
Dear Harris
Yes, thank you for this post and I agree with ycg that you have a heart to heart talk with LKS on this. Through this blog, we can articulate on civil society concerns and you’re the man to represent us to speak to whomever on our behalf. From what surind says, LGS’s approach is less racial, perhaps because they’re the from the 2nd generation and I’m sure there are quite a few DAP leaders who share the same view. The grand old man, LKS is not an unreasonable man and I’m sure you can convince him to once gain adopt the mutli-racial approach as more and more Malaysians are awakened to the fact that race-based parties have to go. cheers.
Lynn,
I have the greatest of respect for Yang Berkhidmat Lim Kit Siang. Will try to get the opportunity to have a heart-to-heart with him.
I do not think he needs convincing on the multi-racial approach. In fact, I’m sure that is the DAP aspiration, too. I think sometimes they (DAP) have been fighting racists for so long, they have had to take the racial line to do battle and sometimes forget to get out of that groove.
I see tremendous potential for collaboration between civil society and the DAP leadership.
December 23, 2007 at 8:20 pm
Traditional & Rational!
======================
For distance reason, I cannot attend
For historical reasons, Race, Religion and Party
are fetish among many many Malaysian up to now.
DAP is excusable from point of traditional
when they are thinking of survival
instead a break through necessary to come!
The Road ahead cannot be solved by GE or the out of ISA
unless the Party, the Government, the People understand HR must be the foundation for the coming GE and changes to come for
An Efficiency and Transparent Government with well specified Rights and Obligations among the parties concerned for accountability and credibility disregards of race, religion and party.
Any party to run should lead by the principle of ALL
and no more on the principle of a Party alone!
A Party has to declare HR be followed
for further grouping among parties
for confidence of the rest to come!
Or no more show for the GE and the changes to come!
A neutral Civil Society is to help the promotion of HR among Parties, Government, and People to run.
A supplement to ALL and not a competition to anyone.
I have expressed my view on Post 23 of
http://malikimtiaz.blogspot.com/2007/12/race-and-poverty-gap.html
and the next, if post is approved.
Or, I have to post again herein with permission by Harris!
December 23, 2007 at 9:12 pm
[...] he blogged: I was shocked and gravely disappointed to see and hear DAP leaders at the forum play and [...]
December 23, 2007 at 9:49 pm
For Unity and Strategy please consider all aspects!
—————-
Chinese had suffered most on reform if to taking May 13.
A shadow not removable for those experienced most.
Hindus being more depressed so they have issues most.
Their dare to walk override Bersih
having the shadow of race and Parties when walked last.
The Government had acted bias
on a racial basis to Hindus,
on Hindraf and not Bersih
political wise to DAP
those being sued outside Hindraf.
Each has their hidden pain not to yell!
Again what should be for the coming
someone should lead to talk to get Policy and Direction fixed
People understood, agreed and Party or Parties to adopt
Civil society should help to lead the understanding of ALL!
GE can go wrong with EC Chief installed
ISA remains the last weapon of destroy!
An outsider with no burden of the past is easy to understand
please pass to LKS & LGE to seek mutual understanding for better yield!!
Change person change Party change Party’s stand!
December 23, 2007 at 10:06 pm
I suggest you all see this show Charlie Wilson’s War to get inspired how the Afghans won the war against the mighty Russian red military.
You need a plan of actions this is what i suggest that’s doable and achievable in order to gain some respect from BN and a shot at their bow in the same time. Let’s work on those MP’s that have credibility & questionable ethics e.g Samy Vellu, Radifah Aziz, Chan Kong Choy and you all can add on your list and you all can get some cue from that show i mention or book by George Crile.
December 23, 2007 at 11:03 pm
The Hindraf-linked website policewatchmalaysia is no longer accessible. Shouldn’t civil society demand any explantion for the block? What about the MSC guarantees?
December 24, 2007 at 12:51 am
It’s funny how it seems policewatchmalaysia seems to be ‘censored’ by TMNET only. I am back in Ipoh using Jaring’s dialup, and I’ve got no problems accessing it.
December 24, 2007 at 1:52 am
haha..well sir..wat can i say. Why am i not surprised that DAP would be the same. As hard as it is, we just can’t seperate race and race-card play from malaysians. we grew up in the system…believing that only this system can save the nation, or rather was ‘made to believed’
its the same with Keadilan, why on earth would Anwar turn up for Hindraf suddenly? Simply bcoz he needs the Indian voters..
pity as it may sound..i still don’t see race-based politics ending anytime soon
and to Klaw , im using Jaring as well, its not cencored too! Im around Ipoh too brother
bmahendran.com
Sorry, mate, I don’t share your pessimism.
December 24, 2007 at 10:41 am
Very good. I thought when I saw the icon, this was about the U.S.A. which needs the very same message; first and foremost we all are born citizens of the world. There are not enough citizens just saying no country leaders and politicians.
December 24, 2007 at 12:16 pm
As much as Malaysia does not need it, I can and have to accept the fact that there are bigots who think they are compelled to lead a party like PAS to secure for Islam Malaysia’s rightful place in the caliphate. And PAS will continue to receive suppport from a sizable part of the comunity who submit to their believes as well as to the invocations of their religious leaders.
As for the rest who now stand as opposed to the ruling Barisan Nasional, I am really confused. What exactly is their stand other than “Opposing” and to provide an effective “opposition”?
Taking that stand by itself, suggests that I am basically dealing with losers. Losers who cannot see themselves as victors. Of course this is convenient as as losers, there is no need to spell out policies and there is no need to spell out philosophies, idealogies and so on.
We are expected to vote the opposition for the sake of denying soemoen who says they want to lead us forward. The “opposition” themselves do not have any idea nor have they ever spelt out where they want to take us.
But then again this attitude of mine might be true of DAP mostly. Keadilan has ofcourse tried to articulate a leadership position for itself. But then it all sounds rather empty because somehow, how they are going to get there is anyone’s guess especially when until now, they are the weakest party of the three in opposition and I would suggest that they indeed are more valuable to UMNO as spoilers than they are to the “opposition” effort.
It is unfortunate to see DAP isolated as a racist Chinese chauvinistic party. This is untrue of course as they have had Malay leaders too.
Assuming PAS will never disband and we got to live with their presence in the political scene, is it necessary to have more than one other party? Can we not have Keadilan dissolve itself and all its members either join PAS or DAP? Or for that matter, UMNO!
I cannot see any wrong in Anwar becoming either a DAP or a PAS member and if the party members deem fit, could hand leadership to him, assuming he is the worthy one. If only a sizable number of Malays were to become DAP members and DAP’s leadership becomes more racially mixed, it would provide the greater comfort that people would seek before even considering seeing them taking over the governance of this country.
One could of course argue that maybe, it is DAP that ought to dissolve and their members merge with Keadilan. Whatever, strategically, this is what needs to be done, otherwise the three main opposition parties will only play into the hands of UMNO.
Paul,
You know as well as I that none of all you have narrated will come to pass between now and the next elections.
For this reason, I say it is civil society that must proffer the common foundation to bring the opposition together.
Await the Peoples Charter.
December 24, 2007 at 3:49 pm
Haris,
That’s why it’s critical for civil society leaders likely yourself to join multi-racial or non-racial political parties like DAP to help lead and stern our future and the party on the right path, i.e. non-racial politics for a better Malaysia tomorrow !
anakmalaysia,
I think its important that civil society begin to discover that the real power lies with the people. I think I am more useful to civil society outside of a party set up, and trying to help civil society reign in the political parties to conform to what civil society wants.
At least, that’s what I’m going to try and do, with your help and support.
December 24, 2007 at 4:23 pm
All said and done, we are still no where near the solution.The opposition is fragmented and disorganised.They can’t live in each other’s pockets.Like everything else and more so in politics, unity is strength, divided you fall.The opposition wouldn’t even make strange bedfellows, because they couldn’t sleep in the same bed.It would be impossible for PAS to share the same bed with DAP, the differences in ideology and religion makes it untenable for PAS, for fear of a backlash from its supporters.
DAP and PKR, both have an identity crisis.Majority of Malays consider DAP a Chinese party and PKR multi-racial.To the Chinese DAP is a Chinese party and PKR is a Malay based party.Unless they work together, which I couldn’t see happening, no single party can get substantial number of seats.
Harris is right, it’s the populace, the civil society that can make the difference.I am all for multi-racial political party.Malaysia should have come of age not to live along communal line anymore.However, we have to face reality, UMNO wouldn’t allow such entity to survive.The divide and rule policy practised by our former master is very much alive in this country.
The only successful and short-lived example of a multi-racial party was BERJAYA in Sabah, which ruled for almost 10 years and brought tremendous economic growth and prosperity to Sabah.It was eventually killed by a communal party, PBS and lost almost all the state seats. It won only 5 seats.It lost miserably due to the arrogance of Harris Salleh , who lost to an unknown candidate, a teacher in a village.
As much as we wanted a national identity, it is the government that do everything possible to make sure we will never make this into reality.
December 24, 2007 at 10:43 pm
Dear Haris,
“Kula, am i not your countryman too?”
We’re on the same page. I’m with you all the way, man.
Do count me in on any happenings (talks, forums) as I do not know the right people to inform me..practically an outsider, i am.
Count me in on your projects. Would like to contribute.
Thanks so much
klconfidential,
Where’s your constituency?
December 27, 2007 at 4:11 am
Dear Haris,
I too, am an idealist on the non-racial politics, once. Yet, reality of life is people sees things in their own perspective. Even in the “great” democracy of USA, colour-based politics and voting pattern are still prevalent.
I do pray with you that, with likes like you, kula and Tony Pua…that our national politics will transform once and for all.
tomatoinc,
Keep those ideals and hold the faith.