Monday, March 8, 2010

Why Pakatan Rakyat must survive

Recently, the mainstream media would have us believed that we have misplaced our trust in Pakatan Rakyat. This fragile coalition of political parties with vastly different ideologies, barely 2 years of age, cannot possibly compete much lest replace the mature Barisan Nasional. The recent turmoil in PKR; resignations of MPs; hostile criticisms from one coalition partner against another; accusations of corruption and power-hungry individuals; has indeed weaken the support amongst those whom have thrown their votes behind PR in the previous General Election.

Yet we must not be swayed by the BN or the mainstream media. We have to hold steadfast to the conviction that for a democracy to thrive, we need to have choices. Absolute power corrupts absolutely, and over the years of absolute power, BN has destroyed the concept of separation of powers as its consolidated its grip on the country. Our justice systems, media, public institutions such as the police force and anti-corruption agency has no credibility in the eyes of the public, when case after case of seemingly obvious misdeeds involving BN's bigwigs brought out neither repercussions or punishments.

Prime Minister Najib, regardless of how genuine is his intention to bring about the concept of 1Malaysia to fruition, will always be hampered by the entrenched self-interests of a small but powerful group of UMNO politicians and those whom rely on them for their political and economic well-being. These people will fight hard and dirty to ensure their interests are preserved at whatever costs, for any change in government will bring about their downfall.

For Malaysia's democracy to truly thrive, we, the voters have to be smart. Democracy requires competition. Competition for our votes. Only via competition will the political participants shape up. We have to break BN's monopoly on power, or at the very least, let them know we have to means to do so. Pakatan Rakyat may not be ready for power, given it still has to resolve many internal issues in order to reach a common political platform. But we must not abandon our only hope of a true 2-party political arena. Going back to status quo where BN has monopoly power, where citizens can be thrown into jail without trial or imprisoned for their "own protection", where the media is controlled in the age of the internet, where politicians are pitting Malaysians against one another when we should be uniting against global competitors, is plain crazy. We must not lose this opportunity to reclaim our rights as the political masters. Right now, only PR can provide us with that opportunity - lets not squander the momentous change we voters brought about during the 12th GE.

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