I DO NOT agree that it is time to rethink strategies for future political dominance.
If the 14th general election (GE14) in 2018 welcomed a New Malaysia, the just concluded six-state elections (PRN) should embrace a new federalism in the country.
Federalism divides political power between the different parts of the federation. In Malaysia, there is the federal government and state governments.
Like the idea of the separation of powers, federalism is about sharing power between the different entities – federal and states. This also means outlining or limiting the power of each of the entities.
By dividing power between the entities, federalism strengthens representative democracy, can protect liberty, encourage experimentation and reform, and can promote local decisions on issues of local importance.
The last was what the PRN should be about. Did we witness that?
Federalism does not mean that elections to the federal and state governments are to be held simultaneously like in Malaysia until recently. In Australia, a federal election is held at least once every three years and election day is always on a Saturday. A state election is held every four years. So federal and state elections are not held. As a matter of fact, by federal law, state elections cannot take place within a week before or after a federal election.
State elections decide the next state governments that will make decisions about issues that affect the people in the respective states, for example, as in Australia: hospitals, crime prevention, education and training, transport and road safety. These are local issues.
In the PRN campaigns we witnessed, instead, narratives about the PRN being a referendum on the federal government (when it is not), as well as on issues such as the 3Rs (race, religion and royalty), and the national economy.
Both sides of the divide could be seen and heard campaigning on those lines.
Unite and redouble efforts for future
So kudos to the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) for spearheading the #VoteLokal campaign, intending it to put the focus on, and draw voters’ attention to, state and local issues.
The campaign rightly highlighted that state governments appoint local councillors, whose decisions directly impact local services, development and businesses.
In short, state elections are important because they directly impact the people’s quality of life.
Be that as it may, it is heartening to note there have been positive remarks following the PRN results. Pakatan Harapan chairman and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in urging all Malaysians and political parties to set aside their differences and work towards improving the country, said:
“This is the time for everyone across all parties, despite winning or losing, to unite and uphold peace.”
Anwar also assured Malaysians that the unity government would work even harder following the state polls and it would be business as usual on Monday.
“As we move into Monday, the federal unity government will redouble its efforts to propel Malaysia towards achievements that everyone can take pride in,” he affirmed.
Reject Muhyiddin’s labelling of results
Kedah Perikatan Nasional (PN) chief Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor too was reported to have assured the soon-to-be sworn-in state government would not mistreat the state opposition. He promised a state government that would be “fair, loving and rich with ehsan”.
If the assurances are kept, come Monday, there should be only one winner and no losers of the PRN.
We should be able to reject PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin’s calling of the PRN results as “a referendum showing that the majority has rejected the unity government”.
Instead, we should embrace the one winner of the PRN – that is, a new federalism that divides and limits power, protecting the individual; which is modern, flexible and efficient, giving the people a range of choices and allowing policies and services to be tailored to meet the needs of the communities.
The new federalism should bring economic and social advantages to the people.
Let it not be short lived like New Malaysia. – The Vibes, August 13, 2023
Hafiz Hassan is a reader of The Vibes
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