The case for a two-party system in Malaysia

In Malaysia we have been ruled continuously by the Barisan Nasional government under various coalition names for the past 53 years. That's a long stretch by anyone's imagination and we have seen tremendous progress over that same time frame. But we have also seen numerous and colossal blunders from (to name just a few off-hand) the Bank Bumiputra-Carrian Group Scandal of the late 70s in which Jalil Ibrahim, the bank bumiputra auditor sent to Hong Kong to investigate the Scandal and who uncovered evidence of wrongdoing was murdered in Hong Kong (Jalil's murder case has not been solved to this day - the culprits were never brought to justice), highway concessions which were veiled in secrecy, privatisations carried out in name only but which really awarded largesse to politically-connected companies and now the Altantuya murder scandal which until today has never been clearly investigated and subject to scrutiny. We have had people like Mahathir saying that we should be "grateful" for government largesse and hence vote for the government. Wrong. The largesse comes from tax payers and the government is beholden to, never the master of the people. Gratitude does not figure in the picture unless you are corrupted so hopelessly that you see yourself as the giver of alms to a poor and deprived people when you yourself are being paid out of their pockets. What cheek, what temerity! I always get mad whenever the "gratitude" or "loyalty" card is bandied about. Voters have the right to vote for whomever they chose. Our votes cannot be bought. If we let our votes be bought we deserve the government that we get. And we haven't had a very good government so far.

Which goes to say lots about how we as a people are and what we are made of. Your vote is a precious commodity and before you exercise your vote you need to think seriously about the consequences of who you vote for. Cos you will be stuck with the donkey or monkey or hare or turtle that you voted for, for the next 5 years.

In Britain there are the Conservatives and Labour parties. In USA, the Republicans (GOP) and the Democrats. Even in India now there is the Congress (I) Party and the BJP. They all enjoy a 2-party system. I'm not saying that a 2-party system is the best thing but it is the minimal that a true democracy should grant its people. Otherwise, what is the point of an elections? It will just be a formality to re-appoint the same old faces to the seat of power.

Remember, the people whom you vote for has the power to pass laws that affect you. They have the power to decide how much taxes you pay, how those taxes will be spent, the educational policies, your future, your kids' future and the future direction of the country.

In a 2-party system, say if Malaysia has Barisan Nasional and the Pakatan Rakyat, it is simple straightforward and better. If Barisan fails to perform, vote them out. Vote in Pakatan. If Pakatan fails to perform, vote them out and vote in Barisan. In this way the politicians will be accountable and made to bear the burden of their policies. If they administer in a "As-I-Please" way, they will be booted out next elections. This is the true essence of a democracy. Not just to formally observe elections and put the same people back to power again regardless of what they do or say. Don't vote tribal, don't vote ethnic. Vote for who is more accountable. If they are not accountable, kick them out. Simple as that.

The time for a 2-party system in Malaysia is long overdue. I am sick of hearing people complain and bitch but at elections vote back the same clowns who gave them a hard time. Use your vote and don't take it lightly. Vote for the alternative if the incumbent is not performing. Don't settle for cheap slogans and cheap hand-outs. You deserve better. Your kids deserve better.