Utusan Tahun Baharu 2024 bersama

[ENGLISH VERSION BELOW] Pada tahun 2024, marilah kita memperkasakan institusi raja berperlembagaan, demokrasi berparlimen, federalisme dan kedaulatan undang-undang.

Tahun 2024 akan kita saksikan penerusan era aneka-krisis di mana kesejahteraan setiap rakyat Malaysia dan negara secara keseluruhan akan terkesan dengan faktor sejagat, daripada konflik geopolitik di Eropah Timur, Timur Tengah malah di Asia Timur, pemanasan sejagat, kemusnahan alam yang lain, kehilangan dan penggantian pekerjaan yang disebabkan oleh kecerdasan buatan (AI) dan kemajuan teknologi lain.

Berhadapan dengan sejagat global sebegini, rakyat Malaysia harus sedar bahawa kita bukan musuh antara satu sama lain. Malah, krisis boleh mencungkil sesuatu yang terbaik dalam diri kita. Semasa pandemik Covid, rakyat Malaysia membantu satu sama lain tanpa mementingkan diri dalam semangat “kita jaga kita”, tanpa mengira etnik, agama atau afiliasi politik.

Bak kata pepatah Melayu “menang sorak kampung tergadai”, kemenangan sebegitu adalah kemenangan kosong. Jika kita gagal mempersiapsargakan diri untuk mengubah dugaan menjadi peluang, semuanya akan rugi. Sesiapa yang membentuk kerajaan seterusnya akan mewarisi ekonomi yang lesu dan rakyat yang tidak berpuas hati.

Walaupun kita mungkin bersaing antara satu sama lain, sebagai individu atau dalam pelbagai kumpulan, nasib kita terikat antara satu sama lain. Apabila wabak, bencana alam dan ketidaktentuan ekonomi melanda kita, tiada satu komuniti pun yang selamat. Kita tenggelam atau berenang bersama.

Realiti yang genting ini memanggil perdamaian politik dan kestabilan bersifat
demokratik supaya kita dapat berganding bahu menghadapi cabaran sejagat yang sengit.

Kami menyeru semua institusi, organisasi dan individu yang cintakan Malaysia untuk bekerjasama ke arah penegasan cita-cita yang berikut, yang asalnya termaktub dalam Perlembagaan Persekutuan dan terus didukung dalam Rukun Negara,

1. Raja berperlembagaan, di mana semua raja-raja berkedudukan mulia, melangkaui sempadan politik dan menyerahkan tadbir urus negara kepada pemimpin yang dipilih rakyat, supaya institusi diraja tidak dinodai kontroversi atau polemik dan berperanan menyatukan semua rakyat Malaysia dan rakyat negeri masing-masing merentasi perbezaan sosio-politik

2. Demokrasi Berparlimen, di mana kuasa eksekutif berasaskan keyakinan majoriti daripada ahli parlimen (yang membentuk parti politik sebagai penjumlah atau pengaggregat aspirasi dan keutamaan politik), dan dipantau, disemak dan diimbangi oleh ahli parlimen pembangkang dan ahli parlimen barisan belakang kerajaan (government backbenchers), melalui jawatankuasa pilihan, perbahasan dan persoalan di dewan parlimen

3. Federalisme, di mana kuasa diagihkan secara bermakna antara kerajaan- kerajaan persekutuan, wilayah, negeri atau tempatan, untuk memastikan keseimbangan yang betul antara keseragaman dan autonomi, ekuiti atau kesaksamaan, dan persaingan antara wilayah atau negeri, dan bahawa pihak berkuasa tempatan bertanggungjawab dan responsif terhadap penduduk tempatan

4. Kedaulatan undang-undang, di mana undang-undang digubal untuk melindungi hak asasi manusia dan memajukan kesejahteraan rakyat dan penduduk, bukan untuk pihak berkuasa sewenang-wenangnya mengawal dan memdiamkan rakyat, dan undang-undang digunapakai secara berkesan kepada semua termasuk pemimpin kerajaan, tanpa pendakwaan terpilih atau impunitas, untuk mengelakkan tanggapan sinis bahawa “seseorang tidak bersalah sehingga kehilangan kuasa, dan seseorang mungkin tidak bersalah apabila mendapat semula kuasa”.

Untuk tujuan-tujuan ini, kami menyeru parti-parti kerajaan dan pembangkang untuk merundingkan satu persetujuan pembaharuan politik bagi baki penggal Parlimen ke-15 sehingga 18 Disember 2027, yang merangkumi perkara berikut:

Kestabilan politik

Menggubal akta parlimen berpenggal tetap dan undi kepercayaan pengesahan bagi setiap perdana menteri baharu selepas pelantikannya di bawah Perkara 40(2)(a) Perlembagaan Persekutuan

Pengukuhan Parlimen dan dewan-dewan undangan negeri dan parti-parti politik

Menggubal akta perkhidmatan parlimen, menambahkan jawatankuasa pilihan parlimen, menetapkan masa untuk urusan bukan kerajaan, mengiktiraf kabinet bayangan atau mesyuarat kerajaan negeri bayangan, menggubal undang- undang untuk dana pembangunan kawasan yang saksama, akta pembiayaan politik yang membolehkan pembiayaan awam kepada parti politik, dan mereformasikan Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya supaya ia bebas dan bertanggungjawab kepada Parlimen.

Kedaulatan undang-undang

Mengasingkan fungsi pendakwaraya daripada Jabatan Peguam Negara, meningkatkan kebebasan Suruhanjaya Pencegahan Rasuah Malaysia dan keberkecualian polis.

Desentralisasi

Menggalakkan perbincangan “seluruh Malaysia” antara kerajaan persekutuan, kerajaan-kerajaan wilayah Sabah dan Sarawak, dan 11 kerajaan negeri di semenanjung, untuk menyediakan pelan hala tuju desentralisasi yang dirancang secara menyeluruh dan teliti, dengan Perjanjian Malaysia 1963 sebagai tunggak utama dan dokumen pemandu pusat.

Daripada menunggu satu pihak untuk menghubungi pihak lain, kami menyeru kerajaan dan pembangkang untuk menjemput Yang Dipertua Dewan Negara Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar dan Yang Dipertua Dewan Rakyat Johari Abdul untuk bertindak sebagai pengantara yang tidak berat sebelah untuk tujuan ini.

Malaysia milik kita semua. Kami jemput semua rakyat Malaysia, termasuk aktivis dalam masyarakat sivil dan sektor swasta, untuk menyokong seruan tahun baharu yang sederhana ini untuk kestabilan dan akauntabiliti.

Kenyataan ini dimulakan oleh Projek Kestabilan dan Akauntabiliti untuk Malaysia (Projek Sama), satu inisiatif terbaru yang memperjuangkan reformasi institusi demi memupuk kestabilan politik dan akauntabiliti sebagai aspirasi bersama kita pada masa negara kita mengemudi fasa pendemokrasian yang baru, dengan parlimen tergantung dan kerajaan campuran, dengan Ngeow Chow Ying sebagai konvenornya.

English version

Let’s affirm constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy, federalism and rule of law

The year 2024 will witness the continuity of the era of poly-crises, in which the wellbeing of every Malaysian and the nation as a whole will be much affected by global factors, from geopolitical conflicts in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and East Asia, global warming, other destructions of nature, to job losses and replacements caused by AI and other technological advancements.

Before such global challenges, Malaysians must realise we are not enemies with each other. In fact, we should remember that crises can call out the best in us. During the Covid pandemic, Malaysians helped each other selflessly in the “kita jaga kita” (we’ve got each other’s back) spirit, regardless of ethnicity, religion or political affiliation.

As the Malay proverb goes, to win a shouting match only to lose the village (“menang sorak kampung tergadai”), such a victory is pyrrhic. If we fail to prepare ourselves to turn adversities into opportunities, all would be losers. Whoever forms the next government would inherit a lethargic economy and discontented population.

While we may compete with each other as individuals or as various groupings, our destinies are bound to each other. When pandemics, natural disasters and economic volatility hit us, no single community is safe. We sink or swim together.

This stark reality calls for political reconciliation and democratic stability so that we can stand by each other before the colossal global challenges we are facing.

We urge all institutions, organisations and individuals that love Malaysia to work together towards the affirmation of the ideals below, which are originally enshrined in the Federal Constitution and espoused by the Rukun Negara,

1. Constitutional monarchy, in which all rulers stay above politics and leave governance to elected leaders, such that the royal institutions would not be tainted by controversies or polemics and can unite all Malaysians or citizens of their respective states across socio-political differences
2. Parliamentary democracy, in which the power of the executive is unequivocally derived from the confidence of the majority of parliamentarians (who are organised through political parties as aggregators of political aspirations and preferences), and scrutinised, checked and balanced by both opposition parliamentarians and government backbenchers through select committees, plenary debates and parliamentary questions
3. Federalism, in which powers are meaningfully dispersed between the federal, regional, state and local governments to ensure the right balance between uniformity and autonomy, equity and competition for the regions and states, and that the local authorities are accountable and responsive to the residents
4. The rule of law, in which laws are enacted to protect basic human rights and advance the wellbeing of citizens and other residents, not for public authorities to arbitrarily control and silence the population, and effectively applied to all including government leaders, without selective prosecution or impunity, to avoid the cynical notion that “one is innocent until one loses power, and one may regain innocence when one regains power”

To these ends, we call upon the government and the opposition parties to negotiate a package of political reforms for the remaining term of the 15th Parliament until 18 December 2027, which should include the following:

Political Stability

A fixed-term parliament act and a confirmatory vote of confidence for every new prime minister after his or her appointment under Article 40(2)(a) of the Federal Constitution

Strengthening of Parliament or state legislative assemblies and political parties

A parliamentary services act, more parliamentary select committees, non-governmental business time, recognition of a shadow cabinet or state executive council, a law for equitable constituency development funds, a political financing act, which enables public funding of political parties, and an independent Election Commission answerable to Parliament

Rule of law

The separation of the functions of public prosecution from the Attorney General’s Chambers, enhancing the independence of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the impartiality of the police

Decentralisation

A “whole of Malaysia” conversation between the federal Government, the regional governments of Sabah and Sarawak, and the 11 state governments in the peninsula, to have a comprehensively and carefully planned decentralisation roadmap, with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 being the main pillar and central guiding document.

Instead of waiting for either side to reach out to the others, we call upon both the government and the opposition to invite the President of the Senate Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Johari Abdul to act as impartial mediators.

Malaysia belongs to all of us. We call upon all Malaysians, including actors in civil society and the private sector, to support this humble new year call for stability and accountability.

This statement is Initiated by Project – Stability and Accountability for Malaysia (Projek Sama), the latest initiative to advocate for institutional reforms within a bigger narrative of political stability and accountability as our common aspirations at a time our nation steers through democratisation into the uncharted waters of a hung parliament and coalition governments. In Malaysia, we share the common destiny. Ngeow Chow Ying serves as its convenor.

Endorsed by:

Civil society organisations

1. Project – Stability and Accountability for Malaysia (Projek Sama)
2. Architect for Diversity (AOD)
3. Bait Al Amanah
4. Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih)
5. Centre for Electoral Education and Democracy (CEED)
6. Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ)
7. Citizens Against Enforced Disappearances (Caged)
8. Engage
9. Iman Research

• Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas)
• Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH)
• Lawyer Kamek
• LLG Cultural Development Centre
• Movement for Change Sarawak (MoCS)
• Muslim Professionals Forum (MPF)
• National Human Rights Society (Hakam)
• Pergerakan Tenaga Akademik Malaysia (Gerak)
• Pacos Trust
• Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara (Aliran)
• Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (Patriot)
• Persatuan Penulis Berbilang Bahasa (PEN Malaysia)
• Persatuan Pemangkin Daya Masyarakat (Rose)
• Pusat Komas
• Sabah Action Body Advocating Rights (Sabar)
• Sarawak Dayak Iban Association
• org
• Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM)
• Sisters in Islam (SIS)
• Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram)
• The Sarawak Initiative (TSI)
• Tindak Malaysia
• Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M)
• Workable Initiatives for Secularism, Decentralisation, Openness and Moderation (Wisdom) Foundation

Individuals

(Disclaimer: All individual listed endorse the new year message in their personal capacity. Their current or former affiliation is only for identification)

1. Beverly Joeman, supreme council member, Kadazan Society Sabah (KSS)
2. Retired Brigadier General Dato’ Mohamad Arshad Raji, past president, Patriot
3. Christopher Leong, past president, Malaysian Bar
4. Dashran Yohan, journalist
5. Dato’ Ambiga Sreenevasan, past president, Malaysian Bar
6. Dato’ Dennis Ignatius, former Malaysian ambassador
7. Dato’ Mah Weng Kwai, retired judge, Court of Appeal
8. Dato’ Yeo Yang Poh, past president, Malaysian Bar
9. Datuk Dr Johan Ariffin Samad, former CEO, Institute for Development Studies (IDS), Sabah
10. Datuk John Tenewi Nuek, former Malaysian ambassador
11. Datuk Kuthubul Zaman Bukhari, past president, Malaysian Bar
12. Dato’ Seri Mohd Hishamudin Yunus, retired judge, Court of Appeal
13. Datin Fazar Arif, founder, Pergerakan Wanita Empowerment Revolution (POW.ER)
14. Dr Alek Tuen, former professor, University of Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas)
15. Dr Andrew Aeria, former associate professor, University of Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas)
16. Dr Cecilia Ng, independent consultant
17. Dr Edmund Terence Gomez, former professor, University of Malaya
18. Dr Francis Loh Kok Wah, retired professor, University of Science Malaysia
19. Dr Hatta Solhi, former chairman, Lembaga Pengarah, Unimas
20. Dr Lim Teck Ghee, policy analyst
21. Dr Peter Songan, retired Professor, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas)
22. Dr Phoon Wing Keong, political scientist
23. Dr Munirah Alatas, former visiting professor, Indonesian International Islamic University (UIII)
24. Dr Toh Kin Woon, member, board of directors, Pusat Sejarah Rakyat
25. Derek John Fernandez, councillor, Petaling Jaya City Council
26. Emeritus Professor Dato’ Abdul Rahman Embong, Ikmas, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM)
27. Emeritus Professor Datuk Shad Saleem Faruqi, University of Malaya
28. Faridah Tun Fuad Stephens, ex-publisher, Sabah
29. Iqbal Fatkhi, editor-in-chief, Cilisos Media
30. Jahabar Saddiq, chief editor, The Malaysian Insight
31. Jayanath Appudurai, former director, National Science Centre
32. Jerald Joseph, former commissioner, National Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam)
33. Lim Hong Siang, columnist
34. Maha Balakrishnan, parliamentary consultant and researcher
35. Malek Ali, founder, BFM
36. Martin Vengadesan, associate editor, Malaysiakini
37. Nadira Ilana, filmmaker
38. Professor Ahmad Fauzi Abdul Hamid, University of Science Malaysia
39. Professor Wong Chin Huat, political scientist
40. Professor Zaharom Nain, University of Nottingham in Malaysia
41. Richard YW Yeoh, former member, Electoral Reform Committee (2018-20), Prime Minister’s Department
42. Sharaad Kuttan, journalist
43. Stanley Yong, vice president, Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH)
44. Steven Thiru, past president, Malaysian Bar
45. Tan Sri Bernard Dompok, former chief minister, Sabah
46. Tan Sri Mohd Sheriff Mohd Kassim, former secretary general, Treasury, Ministry of Finance
47. Tan Sri Mohamad Ariff bin Md Yusof, former Speaker, House of Representatives
48. Tan Sri Simon Sipaun, former secretary of state, Sabah
49. Thomas Fann, former chairperson, Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih)
50. Tang Ah Chai, president, Persatuan Sahabat Warisan Kuala Lumpur and Selangor
51. Yap Swee Seng, former executive director, Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih)
52. Zikri Kamarulzaman, journalist

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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