Identity politics plays on emotions and blurs rational perspectives.
The exploitation of issues of colour, class, language, religion and race often camouflages the serious issues in any society that need to be tackled.
Politicians the world over use this strategy as it is easier to mobilise numbers with such identity-based slogans to secure power.
Democracy is vulnerable in this context, and soon majoritarianism justifies excesses and persecution.
Might becomes right, the numbers justify the story, and autocracy reigns under the guise of democracy. When an issue is perceived as eroding Malay rights or supremacy, then the fact that serious wrong has been done is often overlooked.
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Unthinking zealots resort to reactions like “selective prosecution”, “political vendetta”, “an agenda against [the name of their party]” or “this is a DAP conspiracy”.
The blatant misuse of power and suspicions of corruption have led to serious charges being filed against top leaders. The law has finally caught up with some of these imposters.
The fact that a politician has allegedly violated his oath of office and is now subject to legal scrutiny is clouded over by emotions. This is the result of years of conditioning and the belief that politicians can get past such challenges – like in the past – by manipulating institutions and the judiciary.
Scandals colour the backgrounds of several politicians in prominent positions today. Some of them even hold senior positions in Parliament. Just do an internet search of their names, and you can read about their past sinful ‘glories’!
The issues we face today have parallels around the world. Consider the following realities.
In South Africa the scandal surrounding former President Jacob Zuma and his Indian connection and the skulduggery they indulged in to embezzle the state of South Africa landed Zuma in prison. The current South African president is also embroiled in a scandal of his own making.
The great ‘saviours’ of Sri Lanka, supposedly devout Buddhists who brought an end to an ethnic conflict and later secured political power as ‘liberators’, have now sold out their nation. The president even had to flee the nation for a spell! The elites have impoverished the nation.
Not too far north in Pakistan – the same story. The elites, including senior army officials, have ransacked the nation, and the people are suffering.
To a lesser extent, the same is true also for Bangladesh and the Maldives.
China, through its Belt and Road Initiative projects, has economically strangled certain nations by exploiting the weaknesses of corrupt local politicians.
Then there were the corruption scandals that rocked a couple of former South Korean presidents and other political and business leaders.
So the issue is not about race but a lack of character in individuals. In the end, the mix of power and money stimulates greed, and many leaders, whatever their ethnic origins or religious affiliations, soon lose their balance.
That is why limited terms are a necessity. To handle both power and money requires a standard of character – one that has to be earned and not gained through having a degree! Race is not the defining issue; it is whether the leader has character.
Our own inability to balance need and greed often challenges our capacity to manage human nature and respond to challenges.
Yet identity issues provide a smokescreen to hide the reality and inflame a sense of blame towards others. This inability of people to look within themselves is what empowers the blame culture so evident in today’s society. We are all vulnerable in this context.
The Malaysian government launched the New Economic Policy in 1971. This, together with the national ideology, the Rukun Negara, aimed at creating a just and equitable nation through socioeconomic restructuring, which was supposed to achieve national unity, harmony and integrity.
We can all judge for ourselves what this restructuring has achieved! Fifty years on, we can conclude that the political elites of the day have hijacked this policy to enrich themselves with wealth beyond imagination. Meanwhile, the poorest 40% of households continue to struggle.
Consider institutions like the Federal Land Development Authority (Felda), the Federal Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Felcra), Majlis Amanah Rakyat (Mara), sovereign wealth fund Khazanah Nasional and fund management company Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB).
One wonders why the poor ethnic Malays are in this condition when selective preference has given them a range of benefits.
There are very few examples the world over of a majority community given benefits through positive discrimination. A policy that was to engender justice and fairness is now the cause of much polarisation in our society. The initial term of 20 years has now extended to over 50 years under different incarnations.
The rent-seeking motivation and the sheer greed this has developed has crippled this policy. We need an open, consultative approach to find out in a brutally honest manner where we went so wrong.
The NEP did have some successes though. It has created many Malay millionaires and billionaires – and political warlords who have manipulated politics to remain in power for decades; they have milked the policy at the expense of the larger community.
The money provided in the annual national budgets to Malay-based Institutions like Jakim (the Malaysian Islamic Development Department), the billions of ringgit in zakat collection, and the annual scandals exposed in the auditor’s reports have all been mind-boggling.
Yet, where is the notion of character, honesty and integrity? Do the ends justify the means? Religiosity is never a sign of character, whether it is statements from Pas in Malaysia or the ruling BJP in India.
We are not talking about saints. But those who work on their character will know the boundaries within which they should act. Even if they make mistakes, they have an awareness of what is wrong and the capacity to make amends.
Unfortunately, so many others have, under the guise of race and religion, amassed wealth of undue proportions. Meanwhile, the political leaders of the past decade have either closed one eye or were unable to act because their own hands were dirty with such activities.
In saying this, I also allude to people of other ethnic and religious backgrounds who are part of the political spectrum. If our religious persuasion does not inspire us to become better individuals, then religion is reduced to mere adoration and worship. Then what comes our way is perceived to be “rezeki” (sustenance) to be amassed for self-adulation and status.
It takes courage to stand up for transparency and good governance and to speak about these values with conviction. Such courage reveals the inner mettle of an individual. But you cannot do so if your life is compromised.
We now have a leader who attempts to walk the talk, however imperfectly his efforts may be perceived. That he does so is in itself refreshing. He will be tested greatly in the months ahead. However, as he does this for the greater good, he stands in need of everyone’s support.
Our leaders should be more concerned about their character than their reputation. Now many stand to lose both!
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
