What Singapore’s opposition can learn from Malaysia’s Pakatan
Rakyat
June 16, 2010
SGPOLITICS
By Ng E-Jay
As a casual political observer, I find Malaysian politics
interesting for two reasons.
Firstly, the Malaysians have shown us what can happen in the
context of Singapore politics if the opposition parties here unite
and put up a credible fight against the incumbent PAP. For those
who believe, like me, that the gradual democratization of
Singapore’s political landscape is inevitable as voters mature and
become better informed global citizens, Malaysia shows us the
potential for change that can occur here.
Secondly, the ruling Barisan Nasional has, in the wake of their
spectacular drop in popularity during the most recent 2008 general
elections, resorted once again to strong arm tactics like the use
of the Internal Security Act (ISA) against journalists and
political dissidents. They have shown us how rashly and
unthinkingly a government can act if it feels cornered by growing
discontent and feels its grip on power on the verge of being
threatened.
Throughout the contemporary history of both Singapore and
Malaysia, our politics has been inextricably intertwined. In some
sense, Malaysia is now a few steps ahead of us in terms of the
inevitable democratization which I spoke of earlier. Malaysia shows
us, in a nutshell, our potential future path. If we can study the
current course of politics in Malaysia, we can learn to avoid the
potential pitfalls. We are fortunate to have a time machine located
just across the causeway.
The main message of my short article is that if Singapore’s
opposition parties can take a leaf out of Malaysia’s Pakatan Rakyat
and at the same time learn from their shortcomings, a credible and
substantial fight can be put up against the incumbent PAP, and I
believe that we will have the ability to deny the PAP their 2/3
majority in Parliament.
The Pakatan Rakyat, or People’s Alliance, is an informal
opposition coalition formed in the wake of the March 2008 general
elections. They comprise the PKR, DAP and PAS, and contested the
2008 elections under the banner of Barisan Rakyat, or People’s
Front, which also included other opposition parties at that
time.
The enormous success of the component parties of Pakatan Raykat
during the 2008 elections can be traced to the fact that despite
sometimes daunting difference in ideology, they were willing to set
all these aside and create a united, credible campaign that spoke
to the hearts and minds of voters. They made full use of the
internet and information technology to transmit their message. They
were not willing to be silenced or ostracized by the Malaysian
mainstream media which is blatantly biased against the opposition.
They created their own print and electronic media channels, and
engaged in the debate vigorously using all available tools at their
disposal. And most importantly, they had very strong and capable
leaders helming the entire operation, chief among them was Dato’
Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim.
What does Singapore’s opposition need to do in order to become
another Pakatan Rakyat that will once and for all shake the PAP
from its undeserving dominance?
Firstly, opposition parties have to be willing to put aside
their differences and recognize that the common enemy is not each
other. Sadly, some opposition members or supporters have not
been able to do that. The time for that to change is now.
Opposition in Singapore must be seen to be mature enough to act
collectively for the greater good rather than be dragged down by
lesser concerns.
Secondly, opposition parties have to encourage strong and
capable leaders to rise up through the ranks and take charge of the
situation. Like Anwar Ibrahim, opposition leaders in Singapore must
be conversant in both bread and butter issues as well as
fundamental issues like democracy, social justice, and the rule of
law. They should have not just a credible domestic presence, but
also a strong visible international presence, just like Anwar has.
They must have charisma and the ability to mobilize both activists
and well as the grassroots. And finally, they should be men
and women of outstanding character.
Thirdly, opposition parties in Singapore must be both able and
willing to create their own print and electronic media channels to
break the dominance of our mainstream media.
To conclude my article, I would like to again emphasize my
belief in the wisdom of Singaporeans, as well as my belief in the
inevitable democratization of Singapore society. What is the basis
of my conviction? Well, to put it simply, a house built on a
foundation of sand will never stand the test of time.