I am currently reading the biography of John Howard, former Prime Minister of Australia.
I have reached the point in his life where, after quickly rising in stature to be the Treasurer (which in Australia, is held by the PM heir-apparent), the Coalition government he belongs to has lost the general election to the re-energized Labor Party which is itself under new leadership in the figure of Bob Hawke.
After covering 1/3 of the book, any Malaysian cannot but envy the openness and freedom Australians enjoy in politics.
This is particularly apparent when one looks at the issues at hand today. Three in particular, would be unthinkable for it to happen in Australia, or any other Western democracies for that matter:
1. Possibility of suspension of printing permit for The Star newspaper. This is due to it having publish a picture of Erykah Badu with a tattoo of the word "Allah" on her chest.
2. Cancellation of Erykah Badu's concert on 29 February 2012 in light of the published photos. This was announced through the Twitter account of the Information Minister, Rais Yatim. Just considering the manner in which it was announced, surely a milestone in Malaysia's cultural history.
3. Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS)'s Research Head, Dr. Dzulkefly Ahmad, announcing PAS' stand that it may accept non-Muslims as leaders in the party, even up to Deputy-President. Not only that is it a religious-based party, but this is the same party that once declared that it is against Islam for any political party to be co-operating with another party which involves non-Muslims.
4. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's personnel appointment will be separate and independent from the centralised Public Service Department -- if, the current government is returned in the next election with a 2/3 majority in Parliament. Opposition MPs have stated they would support this move to be implemented now, as it does not require a 2/3 majority in Parliament to be implemented.
All the four news items above touch on three of the freedoms that the Western democracies seemingly enjoy: freedom of speech/expression, separation of church and government/politics, and independence of the anti-corruption agency.
All these freedoms are supposed to ensure that individuals need not fear speaking out, practicing their beliefs and whistleblow corrupt acts.
All of these freedoms are tempered in Malaysia as we are believed to be a conservative society that cannot accept "acts of aggression" or against the official religion, Islam. There is also a belief that too much information about corruption or financial disclosures of elected officials will result in undue harm to be directed towards them or their families.
The question is: how much longer should we stand the unsavoury elements in our society and temper these freedoms? Can we not uphold the sanctity of the official religion and protect our citizens from harm at the same time?
The newspaper in question has apologised for the pictures. Are we not better Muslims to forgive and advice, rather than to hate and punish? If we were to take the higher ground, would it not show Ms. Badu the beauty of Islam and the emphasis this religion gives to forgiveness and repentance rather than fire and brimstone?
More financial disclosures in the public realm will only result in more good than harm, as it puts elected officials to account on their worth before and during their time in office. This will greatly lessen any chance for anyone to be involved in corrupt practices while in office. Contrary to many of my fellow Malaysians, I have a high regard for our police force and believe that they are well-equipped to protect any politician or their family members from undue harm in light of their published financial position.
Of course, no freedom should be absolute and nor will these freedoms guarantee more open and corruption-less society. The recent police-bribing scandal by reputable newspapers in the United Kingdom is a good example of how people can still get away with corruption despite having these freedoms. Despite this, imagine the hanky-panky that occurs in closed-society. Or rather than imagine, look around.
Suffice it to say, a sober cost-benefit analysis on the issues we face daily will prove that more freedom of expression and information in Malaysia will only be better for all.
Godspeed,
Fadli
