Malaysia Just Changed It!

On the day of 8 March 2008, something happened in Malaysia. A tsunami of sorts swept the nation. And no, this is not a repeat of the tragic 2004 South East Asian Tsunami that ravaged Aceh in Indonesia as well as other parts of the world, claiming lives. This was a different kind of tsunami, a political sort, hitherto unprecedented in Malaysian history.

The result?

Malaysia Changed! Yeah! Change with a capital “C”. Politically, at least. Not sure about socially or culturally. But its a good start and here’s why.

The Government, ruled by the Barisan Nasional (National Front, BN) for the 50 years that Malaysia (or more accurately, West Malaysia or Malaya)  dominated and led by UMNO all this while as it were, steadily saw its popularity amongst the multi-ethnic masses drop. This happened due to a variety of reasons, which political analysts, what more ordinary people on the Malaysian street, debate on. One thing was clear, the BN had, for the first time in Malaysian history, been denied two-thirds majority in Parliament as well as losing five states to the Opposition. To the foreigner, this might strike things as being a little bit odd. Why should a two-thirds majority be easy to obtain? But for Malaysians, and those familiar with the Malaysian scene, notably its repressive laws against freedom of speech and the right to peacably assemble, know all too well the significance of this election result – a decisive rejection of, amongst others, actions of the government of the day helmed by the once lauded but now deeply distrusted Abdullah Badawi, seen as betraying the huge 2004 General Election mandate to fight corruption, cronyism and nepotism that flourished during his predecessor,  Mahathir Mohamed’s 22 year rule. Other then that there were also concerns mostly specific to certain ethnic communities. The Chinese were up to their teeth with discrimination against them by the Government in education matters mostly. The Indians, previously BN supporters through and through, now, due to agitations by the Hindu Rights Action Force, or HINDRAF, which saw 5 of its leaders been arrested under the notorious Internal Security Act 1960, which allows for detention without trial, use the cry of Makkal Sakthi or People Power to desert the ruling coalition in droves. As for the swing in Malay votes, that was something no one had anticipated, although unfavourable reactions to the HINDRAF saga was one, and Abdullah’s much hated son in law, Khairy Jamaluddin’s widely known influence on executive policies was another factor that could have led to BN’s worst electoral defeat in independent Malaysia’s history.

 The question (or rather questions) to ponder, after such a shocking polls outcome can be among these: Is the BN and UMNO still relevant? They would like to think themselves to be, for sure. But it looks like they aren’t fast enough to understand and come to terms with the new political landscape, dominated by young people and alternative, internet-based media. Can the DAP (Democratic Action Party), the country’s main ethnic Chinese-based Opposition party reconcile deep rooted differences with Islamist PAS (Parti Islam SeMalaysia or Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party) to form, together with PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat or People’s Justice Party) a united “Barisan Rakyat“? (People’s Front, BR) to replace the BN in the next general election? One is tempted to say “No” at this point, but it is worth looking at. Much will depend on the success of the mixed coalition in power in the states of Perak and Selangor now.

 Anyway as a former strong supporter of BN and presently being an advocate of change, I wish them luck.