Shed Pele - Malay Mail

Regality of politics

By Rashid Yusof
February 16, 2009

Categories: Opinion Beguiling isn’t it, that the Istana has been recurring throughout our political history without hardly ever uttering a political comment. Going forward, the monarchy shall feature in our centennial year of 2057, chosen here as a signpost to signify longevity and to try and anticipate the tone of future politics. As for the rest, from the substance of mainstream politics to the influence wielded by the Dewan Negara and mainstream media, among others, their place in the centennial year is open to interpretation, hard work, and strategy. In more recent times, the royal reckoning in our breathless politics can be traced to Nov 10, 2007 with the Bersih March to Istana Negara starring leaders of what is now Pakatan Rakyat. Even as the palace gates were either by convenience (of politicians) or convergence of issues transformed into picturesque focal points, the monarchy on its own has been stoic in witnessing (and presiding over) the ebb-and-flow of political conduct since 1946. The political scenario then featured the old aristocrats, educators, traders, linguists, writers and the Left. This era had two crescendos. The aggravations of 1959 when Dr Lim Chong Eu (now Tun) quit the MCA presidency was one – a period being analysed intimately by a former Cabinet Minister. His book, when it appears, shall infuse important arguments into national discourse. The second peak of this period was May 13, the only occasion when the military had to intervene. That our soldiers have not been sighted on the streets since is testimony to our first-class political behaviour by big picture standards. Fast forward. Lawyers, who seemed to flock as a political force during the (Tun) Dr Mahathir Mohamad era, have since had to share prominence in shaping public opinion with a posse of economists, financial experts and journalists who have turned to blogging with aplomb. The realm of politics badly needs politicians to produce more clincher arguments to restore balances. Educators and language activists, sensing their causes are somewhat sidelined in this political era, may still make their way belatedly to the mainstream by briefing columnists and editors, and by writing with panache in the tradition of my-now favourite political commentator Dollah Kok Lanas (Tan Sri Abdullah Ahmad). The mainstream political theatre is designed by the electorate, which, in turn, is the target of endless spinning, of glib, outright lies and of a smattering of facts. The relentless politics since 1946 has in some ways buttressed national political sense, muscle and resilience. Surely, it is a credit to us that this nation is now able to juggle strident political machinations, by-elections, party polls and economic strains all at once. Still some tweaking shall be necessary for the Bukit Gantang by-election so that we could have some sleep and be productive. Bukit Gantang is about sending another policy hawk, effective communicator-thinker, media-friendly and savvy networker politician to Parliament. The centennial year is not too far off. Hopefully by then, the media in whatever form will not have to be preoccupied with parliamentary heckling. Political subterfuges have been played over many theatres. Delegations were dispatched to and summoned by the Istana, which last “spoke” in Perak, deftly avoiding a political fracas during economic turmoil. Having heard eloquent speeches on development politics, political Islam, tales of political devotion to the rakyat at ground level, the political theatre of Bukit Gantang should conversely be shifted to national television. The political oratory of (Datuk Seri) Anwar Ibrahim is admired, but should the rakyat not judge the competencies of actual candidates? Put them on television for a series of debate and save us the bile of a negative campaign. Panglima Bukit Gantang was a towering lawyer-politician from a different era. In his honour, let us hear the candidates speak while all others could devote more hours to saving jobs, Pakatan leaders included. They do happen to govern four States. We should congratulate ourselves for not being overly acrimonious despite the doses of “kamikaze” politics, laced with general recklessness and absolute “kiasu”-ness. It is a great asset that the Malay Rulers pack hundreds of years of political knowledge. This has turned them into the most astute political observers. They grant audience to their Menteris Besar every week. They speak at the openings of the Dewan Rakyat and Legislative Assembly sessions. The Perak Ruler is additionally a foremost legal mind. Is it naïve to expect political persuasions that engineer surreptitious opposition against the Istana to reflect, with the benefit of history, the oncoming political chapters?

● As a journalist in the 1980s and 1990s, Rashid Yusof (che.rashid@gmail.com) on occasion, camped outside the palace gates in Kuala Lumpur and various other States witnessing political events unfold.