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WILL CHINESE SET MALAYSIAN CLOCK BACK? 25.11.99 For the first time in our young history, Malaysian Chinese look set to reverse their traditional support to the Opposition in an election, and in so doing, nullify their political struggles for the past 40 years. The Chinese have always complained of unequal treatment by the Government, and because of that, they have always strongly supported DAP, which faithfully champions their minority grievances all these years. However, this is destined to change, from feed back of electoral trend up to now � only a few days before polling. The majority of Chinese appear inclined to back ruling Barisan Nasional. The immediate consequence of such a shift of Chinese electoral support is the elimination of DAP from the political scene, as evidenced from DAP�s last crushing defeat when its Chinese support was reduced to an estimated 55%. Lim Kit Siang may survive the debacle personally, but his political presence may be so shrunk that he may not be audible or visible any more, being expectedly sandwiched between the almighty UMNO and a strong PAS. The Chinese community may loose forever its sole defender of minority rights, and the Nation its lone crusading voice of righteousness in Parliament. Politics in this Country will then be dominated by UMNO in the driving seat and PAS in the opposition, as Keadilan and PRM are expected to be eclipsed together with DAP. Without the temperance of the multi-racial politics of DAP, Keadilan and PRM, Malaysia will slide towards islamisation and increasing domination by one race, in an atmosphere of intensifying competition for Muslim and Malay influence between the two centres of political powers. The Chinese may become remorseful in the aftermath of the coming election just like they did in the last election, when their regret was manifested in the Telok Intan by-election that followed immediately. In that by-election, the Chinese made a dramatic reversal to support DAP, not because they suddenly became unhappy with the false prosperity brought by BN, but because they realized they had overkilled (wiping out DAP) in their enthusiasm to embrace BN. And when the above scenario of the UMNO � PAS axis of power soon takes shape, the Chinese will realise they are actually sinking into a deeper hole, in their haste to seek refuge in a mistaken safe heaven at a time of tumultuous change � the familiar but deceitful rule of Mahathir. But the greatest tragedy of the Chinese misjudgment is not the Chinese themselves falling into political misfortunes, but the entire Malaysian Nation missing the golden opportunity to loosen itself from the evil grip of BN on our national life. By one stroke of the pen, the Chinese have nibbed the bud of a young Malay political movement to break off from the enslavement of UMNO�s racial politics. Excessive racialism breeds corruption and mediocrity. Unless this yoke is removed from us, the nurturing and fermentation process towards the building of a united nation cannot take place, and human potentialities cannot be fully developed. Without these, Mahathir�s boasts of greatness based on his grandeur projects and individual physical stunts are merely manifestation of his personal illusion and childish exuberation. Mahathir diehards and new converts (through his recent election propaganda) may cry foul of the above statement. Hasn�t Mahathir single-handedly saved this nation from the greedy design of foreign predators in the like of George Soros, IMF, Western neo-colonialists etc? Can�t you read the recent economic statistics, which show Malaysia�s economy has recovered and is on course to its former glory? First, on Mahathir�s role as a saviour. I wonder how many Malaysians realise that apart from Mahathir�s followers in Malaysia, no body else in this whole wide world believe in Mahathir�s fairy tale of evil predators trying to devour Malaysia. I will attribute this phenomenon of the Malaysian believers to two factors: lack of intellect, and victimisation by local mass media. Second, on economic recovery. Economic recovery is a regional affair, which was mainly prompted by a) steep currency devaluation, b) recovery in the world electronic market and c) political and economic reforms, notably in South Korea and Thailand. Additionally, economic impetus in Malaysia is provided by deliberate Government attempt to a) push up the stock market, b) push down interest rates and forcing banks to lend out, and c) step up deficit spending. There is considerable element of window dressing for election purposes in these government efforts. Unfortunate for the Malaysian economic recovery story, the most vital link is missing � the return of investors� confidence and the resurging of productive capacity and efficiency. This, the Mahathir Government has failed to achieve. Central to the abovementioned vital link is political and economic reforms. Without these, the establishment of Danaharta, Danamodal and what not are only means to diffuse the crisis and to postpone the day of reckoning. To the further discredit of BN Government, these government financial resources have been misused overwhelmingly to bail out BN crony conglomerates without accompanying corporate reforms. The majority of Malaysians might have been mersmirised by Mahathir�s rhetoric and statistics, but not the foreigners. It is a virtual certainty that large scale direct foreign investment (or even portfolio investment) will not wash to the Malaysian shores the way they are doing to South Korea, Thailand and soon, Indonesia, unless there is a meaningful house-cleaning in the Malaysian political leadership. As the count down to polling day has begun, the minority in the Chinese community who are blessed with the wisdom of knowing the truth must urgently reveal the same to others unaware of it in the community. But before doing that, the enlightened ones must first inform all the other enlightened ones of the existence of such a man to man last minute campaign. And thereafter all the enlightened ones will reach out to all the unenlightened ones. Though the above message was directed at the Chinese community, for the obvious reason that they form the vital link at this moment, the same is applied to Malaysians of all races. Miracles have happened to those who have shown extraordinary faith and determination. It may happen again if we are all determined. At least we have the satisfaction of having tried our utmost.
Kim Quek |
