Sunday, January 29, 2012 - 22:12
WE
are now coming into the second month of 2012 – the year most political
analysts calculate the 13th General Election (GE13) would be held.
A great deal has been discussed pertaining to GE13.
Some
of the discussions are quite articulate and objective. However, there
are some, and possibly the larger one, which are simply speculative,
manipulative, and hence, not productive.
To me, after more than
50 years of independence; with a more educated population; the advent of
technology; the experiences of 12 GEs and Parliament improving the
election system; new realities that are fast changing the political
landscape; Prime Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Najib Razak’s commitment to a
more progressive democracy through political transformation programmes;
and left with only eight years to achieve the status of a developed
nation, as stipulated by Vision 2020 — where one of its challenges is to
become a mature democratic society, surely we need to put more effort
in bringing our political conversations to a higher level.
To
most people: the young, professionals, the educated, business and civil
societies – the non-partisans who form the majority come voting day,
they want to see politics with more substance rather than more of the
same.
As a rookie MP, in 2008, I wrote a book entitled New Politics. It was launched by Najib who was then deputy prime minister.
New
politics has no specific definition. And I do not claim to be the one
who coined the term. What is important is the realisation and commitment
to pursue and establish a new political culture that is cleaner,
healthier, mature and progressive.
New politics comprises four major components.
Firstly,
political integrity. It is intended to protect the supremacy of the
Constitution and the constitutional monarchy, the democratic system, to
enhance the role of Parliament, and to practise political integrity,
i.e., with values, ethics, transparency, accountability and good
governance.
Weaknesses and shortcomings, for example, money
politics, corruption, defamation, sabotage, cronyism and nepotism, need
to be rectified.
Political integrity is also about a struggle, a
principle or an idealism that is combined with activism and
intellectualism, based on knowledge, wisdom and service.
Secondly,
the practices of good governance are part of the new governance
framework. But the new governance framework is wider than good
governance.
Let me explain.
It refers to a framework of
administration. There are three sectors or stakeholders in nation
building — the state; business and civil society.
What is needed
is for all three sectors to participate as genuine partners in
decision-making structures and processes in every spectrum of our life
and at every level.
Thirdly, innovations in democracy. Many
people, especially the young, are very cynical and sceptical towards
politics. Fortunately, they still have faith in democracy. But, with a
condition: Democracy is reformed!
FOR A BETTER FUTURE: The voting public wants to see politics with more substance rather than more of the same
In
light of this, we should embark upon innovations in democracy. We
should make our democracy more participatory and deliberative by
establishing platforms so that more people can participate in making
decisions. Examples are town hall meetings, grass root people
assemblies, labs, students/youths parliaments and various forms of
e-participation.
As an MP, I organise a mini-parliament called
Temerloh Parliament Consultative Council. Finally, we come to
progressive political thoughts.
All of us aspire for a good
society. A good society should be built on certain thrusts. For example,
faith in God, knowledge culture, civilisation building, moderateness,
social justice, democratic participation and economic and environmental
sustainability.
But these are broad themes. They need to be discussed further.
New
politics is not about starting from zero or trying to be a hero.
Rather, it is about complementing and improving the many good
institutions and traditions that we already have, but are in dire need
of re-thinking and innovating due to the challenges of today and
tomorrow.
The above mentioned components and contents of new
politics are not exhaustive. We can improve on it. Who knows,
conversations on it may influence the outcome of GE13.
Thanks Malay Mail
Demam pilihanraya umum yang ke 13 sudah hampir tiba untuk semua parti-parti politik di Malaysia. Lebih-lebih lagi untuk parti-parti komponen Fuckatan Rakyat! Tarikh pembubabaran parlimen hanya PM Najib yang tahu!
Melihat perkara ini Anuwar tak boleh duduk! Punggung dia dah panas! Lagi pun kesan internal problem dalam PAS,PKR dan DAP dipercayai akan memberi impak yang tinggi. Kaum India yang majoritinya Tamil telah kehilangan percaya terhadap DAP!
This year Kulim Town Council (Majlis Perbandaran Kulim Kedah as known as MPKK) appointed town councilors from Pakatan Rakyat component parties PKR,PAS and DAP!
KUALA
LUMPUR: DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng should have refuted
allegations directed at him by MCA during the debate between him and MCA
president Dr Chua Soi Lek last Saturday and not through the media
subsequently, MCA Youth chief Wee Ka Siong said today.
The sources said Anuwar is coming to Penang Thaipusam, this year. He planned to go to Sungai Petani Sri Subramaniar Devastanam Thaipusam thru back door. However more than 20 Indian NGOs in Kedah protested Anuwar's visit in from of the said temple.
The Indians always forgetful! Anuwar has many faces! He is not practising multiracial or multi-religious system which BN always do! When Anuwar was a DPM, he warned Indians (Hindus) that he will stop ringing the temple bell.
Where Anuwar went in Batu Pekaka Hindu Cemetery issue?
PETALING JAYA: While politicians are against curbing
the number of nomination day supporters, Umno supreme council member
Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah feels the nation must aspire to become an
advanced democracy in its electoral process.
Perlembagaan Parti Keadilan Rakyat tidak dihormati! Majlis Pimpinan Negeri & Pusat megikut suka hati jalankan parti. Inilah sebab yang membawa Pemangku Ketua Cabang PKR padang Serai Johari Ismail keluar daripada parti itu dengan serta merta!
Oleh kerana pengurusan parti yang tidak menghormati perlembagaan parti, maka saya keluar daripada parti itu dengan serta merta kata Johari!
