COMMENT | Ambiga Sreenevasan, in her latest piece, writes that the memorandum of understanding (MOU) has given us time for valuable introspection.  Pakatan Harapan supporters have been emailing and texting me, talking about the apathy that has been setting in. Does Harapan really care about people who vote for them, one asked?

"AdaWang's" Logic to make corruption Kosher

Here is the thing. Harapan showed no interest in the feelings of the base when it was in power. Harapan was exactly the kind of government BN was, the only difference was that the Harapan base – at least some of them – could indulge their fantasies of former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak in an orange or purple jumpsuit.

I mean most of us who endorsed Harapan also endorsed someone, who was not only defined as a tyrant but also someone who was at one time an existential threat to this country. At that time and maybe even now, Kua Kia Soong is probably the last few honest men in Malaysia.

Beyond that, the old maverick had everyone wrapped around his fingers and Harapan was not only busy strengthening institutions of repressions but also cavalierly dismissing anyone who was reminding the government of the day to carry out reforms. 

I mean everyone was saying that BN had decades to screw up the system, so Harapan needed more time. Everyone except people like Penang Deputy Chief Minister P Ramasamy and Sungai Pelek assemblyperson Ronnie Liu, who suddenly found themselves targets from their own coalition because they were unafraid to shout out that the emperor had no clothes.

Now, of course, Harapan political operatives and talking heads are saying that if Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob wants reforms, he could do them easily and that he needs to prove his sincerity when it comes to reforming the system. 

Never mind that when Harapan was in power, they were attempting to do stuff that even Umno could not be bothered doing, like policing the comment sections of online media.

Honestly, the kind of changes that could be made, that should be made, are not changes that take decades. They are changes that could be carried, barring certain procedures and other legislative arcana, almost immediately, if people are committed and willing to make those changes.

You know, some folks say that things will never change in this country. They are probably right, but imagine if we had a coalition that was an alternative to BN politics and not a substitute. 

Surely, because of all the gerrymandering, Harapan may find it difficult to take Putrajaya but at least half of this country would have an alternative to the kind of politics that people claim they want for this country.

This is a possibility we never had. We never had it because the Harapan base never demanded it. They never demanded it because it is easier demonising Umno personalities than holding your political party accountable. 

Propaganda about DAP

I wish Harapan leaders were deathly afraid of their supporters, like how the GOP (Republican Party) in America is afraid of its supporters. Imagine the possibilities if Harapan actually had to fulfil their mandate, if not the base would not turn out to vote for them. Hey, if the country is going to hell in a handbasket, we may as well enjoy the ride, right?

You know how people are always blaming the majority of Malays for voting for Malay uber alles parties. Most of the people I come into contact with have always been Umno/BN supporters. 

Now sure, some of them have been swayed by the propaganda about the DAP but most of them cannot tell the difference between Harapan and Umno/BN. So vote for what you know, right?

Malaysia has never, ever had a secular alternative to Umno/BN. Malaysia has never had a political coalition, which has championed values that were in direct contradiction, to the mainstream Umno/BN politics. 

If we had a secular and democratic alternative, then this would actually unify the country. Because this would be a coalition that did not depend on race and religion, to carry it to electoral victory.

And yes, I think that young people are the key, but I do not think most people understand that young people, especially young Malays depending on their socio-economic background, have been indoctrinated by years of religious education by the numerous tahfiz schools or whatever other tributaries from the vast religious bureaucracy of this country. 

You do not think a religious political party like PAS knows this? Do not fall for Abdul Hadi Awang’s young people who are too immature to vote spiel. The PAS president is just hedging his bets, in case the indoctrination process is not ready to bear fruit yet.

The PAS strategist I talk to, too, thinks they stand a good chance of getting a slice of the youth vote if they tailor their message correctly. So too do the emissaries from the vast religious bureaucracy, which Harapan failed to curtail during their reign.

This is why I have always argued that religious extremism is an existential threat to Malaysia. And with the pandemic and the changing geopolitical equations here in South East Asia, the situation is going to get worse. 

Local government policies, aimed at creating “unity” among the Malay policy, are only going to worsen the situation. And if we did not have a state security apparatus, especially intelligence divisions which are still functional - despite the best efforts of political operatives - we would be in an even worse situation.

And all this talk of young leaders, as I discussed here, young leaders must want it – “How on earth can anyone cheerlead for political personalities when they have shown no interests, but even more importantly, willingness to step into the ring? Unlike political parties all over the world where young people are striking out on their own and against the political order of their parties, it would seem that young political operatives here want to be anointed to higher office.”

As long as people continue voting for a substitute, things won't change.

The question is, will a certain section of the voting rakyat continue voting for a coalition because they believe there is no other choice as opposed to not voting at all or voting independent?