Malaysia Boleh?

By Tay Tian Yan (Sin Chew Daily)

Malaysians are still contemplating which way we are headed to in the future?

We have no idea how to settle our tacky racial and religious issues, how to put democracy into proper implementation, how to push ahead our economic agendas, and how to battle corruption...

That's enough! I don't want to cite any more example. Seeing these problems, our politicians are already feeling dizzy.

It is next impossible to tell them to change the status quo and show some results.

Indeed it is difficult to change, but not altogether impossible.

Take a look at Indonesia and India today. Right, the same Indonesia and India that most Malaysians tend to shrug off.

If even they can do it, why can't Malaysia?

By population, Indonesia is the world's third largest democracy. Last month, the country just concluded its four-in-one process, including parliamentary and local government elections. Incumbent president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party has won the largest number of seats.

The elections have not plunged the enormous archipelago into total chaos, but has instead consolidated the country's democratic system. The level of political maturity among Indonesians is indeed an eye-opener for us.

The triumph of Democratic Party is not attributed to its populist policies or catchy slogans, but its moderate and pragmatic approach in running the government.

"Indonesia and India have moved onto the right track of democracy, and the tremendous speed with which they have achieved this should serve as a point of reference for Malaysia."

The party advocates equality, harmony and solidarity among Indonesia's diverse ethnic groups. It also promotes mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among the different religions.

Susilo's uncompromising efforts in implementing economic reforms, fighting corruption and safeguarding the independence of judicial system over the past few years have won broad recognition in the republic.

In the lapse of one decade, Indonesia has proudly forged ahead from the legacy of Suharto dictatorship to a flourishing democracy, from an economy monopolised by large capitalist conglomerates to a vibrant people-oriented one, from judicial injustice to judicial independence.

Of course, some social ills such as corruption are yet to be eradicated, but Susilo has brought many "big crocs" to book and this has enhanced his social credentials.

In the latest elections, political parties chanting racist and radical religious slogans have been shunned by the voters, underscoring a distinct trend towards moderation in the Indonesian society, not the religious extremism many outsiders have been associating the country with.

As for India, the world's largest democracy, the just concluded elections have also brought some positive messages.

The Indian National Congress has put up a show much more impressive than its previous one, and the party can almost form the new government singlehandedly, thanks to the oustanding performances of prime minister Manmohan Singh's government in the economic, diplomatic and political fronts.

By contrast, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which subscribes to racism, has lost more seats than ever, besides having relinquished the reins of government. This shows that policies inciting confrontation between the Hindus and Muslims, conflicts between India and Pakistan, as well as contradictions between feuds and castes, are no longer in the mainstream.

Indonesia and India have moved onto the right track of democracy, and the tremendous speed with which they have achieved this should serve as a point of reference for Malaysia. (By TAY TIAN YAN/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)