Is Malaysia's Consociationalism Under Threat ?

Hantu Laut

The results of the Sarawak state elections showed an emerging trend of racial and religious polarisation in the country.

The concerted effort of tenacious political forces on both sides of the political divide. Racial and religious acrimonious rows have been played out openly.This ethno-religious conflicts will have lethal consequence if allowed to continue.

Since after the 1969 red ink history of this nation the people have enjoyed racial and religious harmony without any interference to the beliefs and practices of each other religions.Although, Islam is the official religion freedom of worship of other religions is enshrined in the Constitution. There were mutual respects for each other religion then.

The Pak Lah's regime or Pak Lah himself should be taken to task for allowing religious bigots and political opportunists to trod on religious sensitivities and willed their ignorance on other religions.

It was the beginning of using religions as political opportunism for both sides of the playing fields.It is now water under the bridge and the damage is done.Mending the torn is now the hardened task of current Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak.

Of late we have seen trivial religious issues blown out of proportion for the sole purpose of angering the electorate of certain faith to vote against the government.In spite of the oppositions hard-nosed attempt to rile up the Christians in Sarawak they did not take the bait and bring the issue to boil as can be seen from the results of the recent state elections.

In spite of the the spiteful propaganda by the oppositions majority of Sarawkians have kept their heads squarely on their shoulders. The political skirmish has taken on a different face, if not more, just as dangerous, ethnocentrism and ethnic division of the races.

It is apparent that the Chinese have decided to move on as one unified body to chart their own political destiny under one political umbrella.The impetus to consolidate under one umbrella and create a political force to be reckoned with has been shimmering since the 12th General Elections and re-enforced at the recent Sarawak elections. The chosen vehicle has steadfastly held its ground and gaining more ground as the nation moves toward its 13th General Elections which could be called anytime now.

Malaysia's more than half a century consociationalism is under threat and the exponents would enforce their beliefs that allegiance to one race instead of the wider society is the recipe to political power.These are the very same people who thrashed Najib's 1 Malaysia and ridicule his attempt to unite Malaysians.The thought of Najib succeeding bothers them.The Sarawakians have given their blessings to Najib.

DAP is growing from strength to strength while PKR supposedly the leader of the pack is still in latent state.Its performance at the Sarawak elections, if anything, is an embarrassment and yet the party leaders seemed to rejoice over its pathetic windfall.It won less than 10% of the total seats contested.Another coalition partner PAS was completely decimated.Both are Malay based parties. The Malay support is dwindling day by day particularly for PKR.PAS may be relegated back to Kelantan.

The KDM leaders in Sabah would have by now learn from the Sarawak experience and knew which side of the field there should be come the general elections.Multi-racialism will be dead and gone from this country by the time the 13th GE is over.

Possible scenario, the 13th General Elections may see DAP sweeping almost all Chinese seats and massive Malay supports shifting to supporting Najib's leadership under UMNO to counter the Chinese new political force.The Chinese may end up with no representation in the government as the Malays votes with Sabah and Sarawak in the bags would be enough for the new BN to form the government, or.....

....the Chinese community wise up and divide its votes between DAP and BN and allow significant opposition in Parliment and yet be represented and play a role in governing the nation.

While the Chinese have consolidated their position the Malays are still thinking they are living in the land of Utopia.

The Indians, an important minority, would by then have returned to the BN' fold

The 13th General Elections could be the most exciting or the most depressing depending on which side of the field you are from.