Can we sustain ‘sehati, sejiwa’?

Professor Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak,
My View - The Sun Daily
September 1, 2015

WE are thankful that "good sense" prevailed in making the Merdeka celebration a memorable one. For a day at least we could feel the oneness – "sehati, sejiwa". The question now: can it be sustained as we move into the future or will it splinter again – into a heartless and soulless realpolitik. In short, what will the "politikus" do next?

This naturally prompted a number of scenarios including one "tanpa politik(us)" if it need be to ensure that "sehati, sejiwa" lives on beyond just a political slogan to score brownie points. For this it is important to gauge the quality of Malaysian politic(ian)s using some kind of a league table (since we are so fond of it).

Could it be any better than that secured by KL taxis – dubbed the world's worst. Metaphorically, it is tempting to think that it is just as bad. And this is why:

First, like that of taxis, the ambience "stinks" (read: gutter politics). We seldom hear issues being debated and argued to appeal to intelligent minds, let alone one that can enlighten. More often we hear just "spoofs" and shallowness of thinking littered with callous words unbecoming of representatives of the people. It cuts across regardless of where they are schooled, the gutter politics have gutted them one way or another.

Second, like the taxis, they are fond of U-turns. Be it the policies, blueprints or even ethics – all are prone to U-turns in the interest of political flip-flopping. And they get derailed. Even the "truth" can be U-turned to suit the incident and time in the belief that "rakyat mudah lupa".

Third, the pathetic level of trustworthiness. Just like we have to buy pre-paid coupons instead of paying the driver directly as commonly practiced elsewhere – a clear indicator that the system cannot be trusted, so is politics.

The Gallup survey in December 2014 ranked "members of Congress" last with a dismal score of 7% rated on the level of honesty/ethics. It is the worst score since the survey began in 1979. In fact, "car salespeople", were a notch better in the 2014 survey. Can MPs be any different?

As in the case of taxis, despite being equipped with meters and re-enforced with signs like "haggling is forbidden" pasted on the vehicle, the chances of being "fleeced" are real. Similarly in politics – especially with the alleged "money politics" that has long been highlighted, and lately culminating in the formation of yet another National Consultative Council is evident enough.

There is more of course, but this would suffice to indicate what can be the probable outcome, if a ranking exercise is done.

In short, if political parties are likened to taxis, and the drivers to politicians, to take us from point A to B, there is still much more to be done to ferry us to the desired destination in the shortest possible time with relative confidence and comfort. Would it make a difference with the prospect of a new fleet coming on board with some slogan like "new hope"? Hardly. Maybe for the new party; most unlikely for the passengers since old habits die hard, given that most of the drivers of the new fleet were former drivers who have somehow lost their "licence". In any case, there are reportedly too many taxis making very little difference. The colours of the vehicle may be different but inside the stink is unmistakeable.

That being the case, to imagine "Malaysia without politic(ian)s" as an outcome of the National Blue Ocean Strategy is not impossible. If the world of taxis is challenged by different possibilities like that of "Uber", why not the practice of party politics globally? More so when questions have been raised as to the "effectiveness" of democracy as a platform of party politics.

The initial simple idea "of the people, by the people, for the people" has been hijacked somewhat leaving the people as the ultimate losers. Especially with extra-rich lobbyists having the upper hand while people on the streets still struggle with the most fundamental of all democratic rights, namely, to feed themselves.

What else with the allegation that "slavery" cannot be decoupled from the origin of democracy since its early days, and that it is beginning to rear its ugly head today with inequality becoming more widespread globally – a hefty price to pay for a limping democracy.

All these will potentially tear "sehati, sejiwa" asunder should politic(ian)s not be rejuvenated but prefer to continue wallowing in the stinking gutter, and losing the people's trust even more. Salam Sehati, Sejiwa!