Two Party System
May 3rd, 2008 by Tian
I gave a talk at the Phoenix Friendship Association on May 1 in Penang. Phoenix Friendship Association is a grouping of ex-Parti Buruh and Socialist Front members. Many of them had been imprisoned under ISA.
The association invited Liew Chin Tong, Lee Ban Chien and me to speak at their annual Labour Day Gathering in a restaurant in KOMTAR.
I spoke about the emergence of Malaysian working class consciousness and the formation of a two-party system/alternation of ruling parties.
To my surprise, as well as delighted when I notice ex-ADUN Lim Boo Chang was among the audience. I never met Boo Chang in person before, though I had heard about his glorious history as a FUEMSO student activist in the UK.
I am also honoured to receive a comment from him on the topic of my talk. I hope Sdr Lim can continue to contribute to the maturing of democracy in Malaysia.
Message from Lim Boo Chang
Hi Tian Chua,
Below is an article written by me in appreciation of your views expressed at the forum in Penang on1-5-08. Kindly give your comments.
Thank you.
CARING FOR A HEALTHY TWO-PARTY SYSTEM
May 1st, 2008The 12th General Elections of Malaysia witnessed the formation of a two-party system, albeit at its embryo stage. One may say in Kelantan, BN had already been renderred as an opposition before, but the fall of Kedah, Penang, Perak and Selangor into the hand of Pakatan Rakyat, and the succesful reduction of BN’s 2/3 majorioty in Parliament this time , has more or less made BN as a ruling party in-waiting for the 5 states, whereas PR as a ruling party in- waiting at the Federal level.
Under this new circumstance, however, BN seems not yet ready to play the role of an effective and constructive opposition in the PR controlled states, though PR has appeared to be more comfortable to act as a government. The call for demonstration in front of the Penang state administrtive centre KOMTAR on 9th March, the recent picket on pig-rearing issue in Selangor, and the magnification of a Kelentan model of Federal retaliation towards the 5 states such as the activation of a Federal Council of Action, are some of the vivid examples of BN’s unpreparedness to swallow the bitter pill of becoming an opposition in their previous ‘dynasties’.
Such attitude of sheer political arrogance, in retrospect, was already fully demonstrated by some BN leaders just before the last General Elections. While the former MB of Selangor boasted for a zero- opposition in his state, the former CM of Penang told the press just before the polling was closed that he clould only reveal as to which of the three openly -named successors of his would be the next Chief Minister of Peneng.
The harsh political reality is such that those who think power of government is something ‘heriditary’ or being naturally theirs have to re-learn about parliamentary democracy. The pressing issue at hand is that if the BN is still so hot-headed and un-prepared to truely respect the wishes and aspirations of the electorates, they are the party that would ultimately suffer the most once they become the opposition in future.
The danger of the day is that a certain group of people, instead of truely going through a soul-searching of the disastrous defeat of the BN in the last poll, have even gone back to resort to the old racialist appeal of blaming on the emerging strength of the multi-racial party, with an ulterior motive, of course, of staging their come-back. However, people are optimistic that the main bulk of the Malaysian people of all races are matured enough and are now conscious that the root-cause of illness of our society hitherto is not racial in nature, but has been exploilted by the irresponsible politicians to make it appears so only.
Therefore , those who are still keen in remaking BN as a more relevant party to our people and to our time must educate their members to be able to play the role of an effective and constructive opposition in the 5 states. Whereas the Federal leaders of BN must start building up the infrastructure and other facilities for the operation of the royal opposition, as it is to their advantage if they suddenly found to be the royal opposition tomorrow.
The spirit of a two-party system must not stop-short as a lip service only, but be sincerely and comprehensively implemented henceforth, if we truely believe in the system of parliamentary democracy.
What two party system! At the current rate, Malaysia can never achieve that (like in US, Aust or perhaps UK). It will be never-ending if I’m to discuss the history and rationale behind this socio-political issue. BN or PR both are for the political agenda and convenience where in actual fact the mindset of the rakyat is still very much racial-based. The only possible way is to educate the younger generation from school and prevent all polarization and racism so that there will be a fair and equal treatment to all Malaysians!
Hi Tian Chua,
It was a pleasure to listen to you and other speakers on that day. I always thought you were proficient in English and French, but only realised that you are equally capable in Mandarin thereat.
Being too long in the establishment politics has not only become a constraint to my thought and action, but would also hinder social progress.
After my departure from BN on 4-4-08, I suddenly felt that I am a free man once again. Though I had tried my very best to speak out and serve the rakyat during my tenure of office, objective conditions did not permit me to go very far. The punishment I received for abstaining in voting on the PORR project in the Penang State Assembly in 2001 was a typical example of mockery of democracy practised by the conservatives.
I shall continue to strive for constant social reform of our society. You are welcome to visit my new blog at www.limboochang.com and to give your comments if time permits.
Lastly, thanks for reminding me of student activism in UK in the 70’s. People like me had learnt a lot on political conscientisation from it, and many may not know, Anwar Ibrahim was already our hero in the Baling Hunger March and Tasek Utara squatters’ plight then.
Continue to bring good news to the rakyat is our common hope!
YB Tian Chua,
Saya ingin mencadangkan perjuangkan gaji minimun dalam sektor awam dan swasta disalaraskan, sebagai cth RM1000 untuk gaji pokok. Pekerja swasta juga berhak untuk mendapat elaun perumahan,cola dan sebagainya. Kos hari ini semakin meningkat, ada yang boleh hidup, ada yang sesak kerana ada ramai, jadi penyelesaiannya hanyalah gaji dinaikkan. Kesatuan pekerja pihak swasta tidaklah sekuat mana berbanding CUEPACS, MTUC perlu lebih berpengaruh dari kesatuan tersebut. Saya faham kita terpaksa menempuh biokrasi dari pihak kerajaan tetapi kerajaan perlu diingatkan bahawa faktor kenaikan ekonomi Malaysia bergantung kepada pekerja-pekerja. Satu lagi tentang pekerja kontrak dalam sektor awam, beri mereka peluang untuk mendapat jawatan tetap setelah berkhidmat lebih 2 tahun. Agar Yb dapat mendengar dan buat kajian dalam cadangan saya ini.
Rakan2 sekalian lawatilah blog saya di
http://khairilazuar.wordpress.com
berilah komen pada artikel yang saya tulis
Tian,
What are the chances of you championing the issues of a better life for the Chinese Malaysian or human rights as a whole?
Kindly view http://andyksyong.wordpress.com/
Thank you.
It’s has been long overdue for a 2 party system for a Malaysian democracy. The people or voters are either for one or another rather than a few parties. This notion will be in fact mature, productive and constructive for nation building…..one is eihter for this party/idealogy or the other, no there or four ways about any issues.
It’s about time the nation rise to the occasion!!!!!
PERJUANGAN BLOGERS DALAM PEMBEBASAN BLOGERS!!!
Bebaskan Raja Petra …. Saksikan pictures pada malam semalam yang sempat aku snap di Penjara Sungai Buloh dalam blog aku….. Disebalik perjuanganmu tersirat keikhlasanmu ……. Ya Allah Kaula Maha Besar, Selamatkanlah Raja Petra dari segala ketidakdilan dan kekejaman ini, Berikanlah Raja Petra keteguhan dan kesebaran iman beliau dalam ujianMu ini Amin ….
Rakan2
Jangan Lupa layari blog saya di http://khairilazuar.wordpress.com
bagi komen setiap artikel yang saya tulis. …
After 2 months of the dramatic 12th GE, after we witnessed some issues both BN and PR, obviously Malaysia can only rated as the “embryo” stage of Two-Party system.
Let the peoples put up their efforts to achieve the more mature and rational Two-Party system, like in US, Aust or perhaps UK. The rakyat should be empowered to “check n balance” the Two-Party system.
Of course, the immediate threat was racism which are trying to create chaos and hope to capitalise on that to regain power. PR coalition should be more discipline like an army to counter their challenge.
Secondly, to be more precise, the current Two-Party system should be classified as Two-Coalition Party system. Therefore, there is some weaknesses or so to called “circuited breaker” implanted in both BN and PR as well.
For BN side, previously the UMNO was the “single core” one party dominance in the coalition, without the worrying pull back from either MCA, Sarawak or Sabah blocks. But the scenario is changed. Whereby the PR which consists of PKR-PAS-DAP, must align their ideology divide asap. Ideally, PR should be a “dual core” coalition, the current “3-core” may be unefficient. Or else Malaysia will only suffered in a very fragile Two-Coalition Party system.
I truly believe in the system of parliamentary democracy, but we should keep the partisan and personal interests ( leaders and politic family ) in-check. A chaotic partisan politics with “katak” and “political sabotages” may only drag Malaysia down for many years.
The spirit of a two-party system should be an automated non-stop “check n balance” mechanism. Let us join our efforts to achieve a more mature and rational Two-Party system for a better Malaysia.
I am most supportive of the ‘two party system’ in our Country. It gives us, the people a ‘choice’. The opposing parties has always been labled as each having a different dream. After March 8th, it is proving that each of them shared a common dream, belief and is committed to help the people regardless of race or religious belief. The other party which claims to sleep in the same bed and share the same dream seems to voice out differences in opinion lately. It seems that they are ‘lost’ now. Now, we are able to convince ourselves that which party can better manage things differently and how incapable the other is when it comes to handling a crisis from within. A ‘two party system’ is certainly the best platform for the Country as we move into the next 50 years of Merdeka.