Democracy – Malaysian Style

Barisan National definition of Democracy (Malaysian Style):

This is what they tell the world – 

Every 5 years we let the rakyat out to vote for their representatives in an election so of course we are a democratic country.

This is what they don’t tell the world –

But the elections cannot be free and fair because we have to remain in power. So we will muzzle the press, gerrymander the electoral boundaries, bribe the constituents with lots of ‘satu lagi projeks …’, invoke the spectre of May 13 (again and again), play the racial card, lose ballot papers, create phantom voters and resurrect dead voters on the electoral roles … we have a lot of dirty tricks up our sleeves.

And after we win the election by these means – the rakyat shall not question our authority because we are your Masters! We will tolerate no dissent – there shall be no independent judiciary or freedom of the press, nor shall any citizen speak out or protest against us because we carry a big stick and we will not hesitate to use it. And the Constitution? Well – that’s just a piece of paper.

What is Democracy?

Our so-called Masters desperately need a lesson in democracy.

As Abe Lincoln so aptly put it – democracy is a government “of the people, by the people and for the people“. 

To the Wakil Rakyats of the Goverment – it is we Rakyat who are your Masters and you the government are our Servants.

Many would understand that a democracy is not just the holding of a free and fair election to select a representative government – it also encapsulates the freedom of expression, the freedom of the press and the principle that no one is above the law (the rule of law).

Yes, a democracy does mean majority rule but at the same time to prevent abuse, it provides for the protection of minority rights and freedoms. And this is  enshrined in the constitution – the highest law of the land.

Democracy means a government of checks and balances (the doctrine of separation of powers) – a legislature that encourages open debate and scrutiny of the cabinet and an independent judiciary for citizens to seek redress.

Democracy means civil liberties and human rights.

This is Democracy!

THE PILLARS OF DEMOCRACY

Sovereignty of the people. Government based upon consent of the governed. Majority rule. Minority rights. Guarantee of basic human rights. Free and fair elections. Equality before the law. Due process of law. Constitutional limits on government. Social, economic, and political pluralism. Values of tolerance, pragmatism, cooperation, and compromise.