They are citizens, stupid

KJ John
Malaysiakini
Jan 7, 2014

I am sick, tired, and disgusted with some Malaysians who tell others to leave the country, just because they do not like some views expressed by them. Worse still if they are elected members in public life; i.e. those who are expected to be the ‘representative leaders’ in this nation-state we call a democracy.

Therefore, my question is, Why do we tolerate ‘such idiots and idiocrats’ who are stupid to the core, and cannot reason for themselves, but make comments which declare to the world their stupidity?

If elected representatives do not know the meaning of the democracy we strive for; why are they even those ‘selected to be elected’ to develop and nurture our fledgling democracy? After all, who is that irrational Wanita Umno member from Pahang who obviously did not deserve to have been elected, in the first place?

Who are the idiots who elected her to insult their intelligence now? Does the PM who originates from the same Umno state as this woman tolerate her antics?

She abhors everything he preaches with his 1Malaysia campaign, or is that no more halal since he has been re-elected? Why then did he back the Wanita Umno president against his own Pahang-based Wanita Umno challenger?

Democracy is a citizenship right

Every Malaysian, regardless of political affiliations or leanings, has all rights of citizenship. These include

*The right to vote at every election as a citizen to define their candidate of choice;

*The right to express views regarding their choice of candidates and political philosophies they support;

*The right to free and accurate, factual information from all public and licensed agencies of communication;

*The right to be associated with and support financially all legitimate political parties with stated political aspirations;

*The right to stubbornly support even the minority party at the general election with the hope of change later on in the life of the nation; and

*The right to be not politically abused by anyone else for their views and opinions about candidates, parties, and their philosophies.

Therefore, and when every Malaysian is accorded such rights, we will be moving towards a mature democracy. But, that cannot happen, unless our elected representatives also know these rights and thereby the limits, too. One wonders if these elected candidates are ignorant, or why were they even selected to stand as representatives of a party; and, worse still why were they even elected?

Nurturing national unity

If an elected Member of Parliament does not understand Malaysian democratic ideals, and does not appreciate the necessity for a multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multi-lingual reality that is ‘Malaysia Truly Asia’, then we are in serious waters. They, and their negative talk (or verbal abuse) of others can form the basis for the next most severe ethnic backlash. I lived through the May 13, 1969 incident and can see signs of some attempts in this direction.

Frankly, when I look at other Malaysians, after 50 years, regardless of ethnicity or religious affiliation, I cannot say that I agree or can fully appreciate or celebrate all ‘others cultural traits and habits’. But does that make them any less Malaysian? Can I simply tell them to migrate because I do not like their views or traits? Can I dictate how they think or what opinions they express?

Even in my nuclear family of nine, at our most recent family holiday, I began to observe that within the same family (plus spouses), there are distinct and severe differences of opinions and perceptions about life and living. Is that good, bad or ugly? I do not think it is bad or ugly, unless one has not learnt the way to express oneself without emotions bent out of shape.

It is the dignity and human right of each unique member of any family to have views different from others, especially if we are all adults, and well above the voting age.

Therefore, as in a family, so also in a nation-state as small as ours. It takes all kinds of personalities or different hues and colours to make for a nation-state. I believe that there is a verse in the Quran which says exactly this; that God in his wisdom made people different so that they learn to live in unity with each other? Did this Umno woman not understand her own scripture on this?

Anti-bigotry legislation

I have never really supported any kind of anti-bigotry legislation this far. But, given the lead up to the last general elections, when media agencies and public citizens berated and abused others so severely, with words that did hurt and injure, I am now rethinking if we do not need such legislation?

Maybe it is time for the government of Malaysia (i.e. federal government) to put that ‘draft legislation they already have framed for a public discussion of the matter’. Maybe a public policy dialogue on this matter can help educate and inform ignorant MPs/ assemblypersons and other public officials that certain types of verbal abuse will not be tolerated in Malaysia; regardless of who is the agent of such bigotry and hatred.

May God continue to bless Malaysia, regardless.

KJ JOHN was in public service for 29 years. The views expressed here are his personal views and not those of any institution he is involved with. Write to him at [email protected] with any feedback or views.