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Don’t waste time on elitist debates

Discerning Malaysians today are looking for debates to showcase the distinct vision of the various competing parties

Rising food prices; Focus on the issues that matter - ANIL NETTO

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It is puzzling that in spite of the various challenges facing ordinary Malaysians such as inflation, unemployment, floods, heat, indiscriminate logging, and the widening gap between the rich and the poor, politicians try to pick and choose their favorite topics of debate, assuming that ordinary Malaysians will be receptive to such political manoeuvring.

Sadly, the nation is caught up with elitism where elites decide the nation’s discourse and expect Malaysians to be receptive to their tone.

News reports that PKR president Anwar Ibrahim has accepted former prime minister Najib Razak’s challenge for a debate on financially troubled Sapura Energy Bhd reveals the shadow of elitist politics in the country.

While debates are part and parcel of a democratic system, we have to assess how a particular debate resonates with the overall political, social and economic system, whose underlying ideology shapes the minds of the elites.

Unless the underlying socioeconomic ideology is challenged through the standard of the common good, we will not go far in bringing about substantive reforms. There will only be piecemeal change that tends to protect vested interests.

The focus on certain failures of corporate entities could miss the forest for the trees if the economic ideology that underpins it is not exposed for the systemic role it plays in forging a close relationship between political and business interests.

In terms of socioeconomic vision, there is no fundamental difference between Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional. Both parties thrive on the ideology of neoliberal economics. This is the main reason that we do not find major differences between them on environmental and labour issues.

For example, raising the minimum wage alone without nurturing an ecosystem of human capital development that respects the human right to bargaining, freedom of association, and protection of workers from violence and harassment at the workplace would not lead to substantial change in the lives of workers.

BN, Perikatan Nasional and PH have no clear vision on how to green up the country from a holistic dimension.

Discerning Malaysians today are looking for debates to showcase the distinct vision of the various competing parties on socioeconomic and ethnic relations, which are critical for a nation aspiring to achieve ‘developed’ status.

So, hopefully, there will be more debates on substantive issues that will have an impact on Malaysians instead of so much focus on a mere corporate entity.

We need to stop wasting time on elitist debates. We need debates on the distinctive visions of the various political coalitions so that Malaysians will be well informed before they cast their votes in the next general election. – Malaysia Now

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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WKK
WKK
14 Apr 2022 10.59am

But is it not true that the issue of critical importance is the likely bailout of Sapura to the tune of millions of ringgit? And does government bailout not eventually hit the pocket of ordinary Malaysians? Is government bailout not a critical part of the economic structure the country is saddled with? How then is the debate elitist?

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