KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 21 – Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim challenged Pakatan Rakyat (PR) states today to be role models of good governance and reforms in order for Malaysia to move towards a two-party system.
The Opposition Leader pointed out, however, that major constraints remained because of what he said were the corruption of government institutions under the Barisan Nasional (BN) which prevented a two-party system from being viable.
But he said that there was now space for PR states to carry forward this spirit of renewal and renovation.
“The states must show an example via its policies, which must emphasise good governance, diversity, compassion for the weak and safeguarding of natural resources and the environment.
Government institutions, he said, are also in desperate need of reform so that they serve the common good and not the parochial interests of political and corporate allies.
Anwar was speaking at PR’s national symposium on the making of a two-party system organised by the Institute for Policy Research (IKD) earlier today.
“The idea of a two-party system has been talked about ad infinitum since last year. The excitement many have expressed over the advent of this new dimension in Malaysian politics might suggest that the mere existence of a viable second party is itself the holy grail of a democratic state.
“Some might even draw the conclusion that once in power this alternative voice would swiftly rectify the monumental ills that have been heaped upon Malaysian society by the Barisan National,” said Anwar.
According to the PKR leader, the opposition has had a significant presence in Malaysia since the very first days of the Federation where they have held seats in Parliament.
Having a two-party system is not a new concept; rather the two-party system recognised today differs from the style of political participation that has already been there in the beginning, he said.
There is now “greater space” afforded to public deliberation, the exchange of ideas and the possibility of new choices and alternatives, said Anwar.
Anwar argued that the original Malaysian Constitution was no longer intact as institutions laced with corruption and failed policies have been the stumbling block for progress.
“While there has been a sea change in the political landscape, Malaysia has not changed overnight ... we still face a federal government mired in corruption. The media is shackled and unfree – incapable of fulfilling the sacred and solemn mandate bestowed upon the noble profession of journalism.”
Anwar went on to hit out at institutions such as the legislature and judiciary as only representing vested interests and not “acting impartially”.
“Where the legislature may exceed its bounds in passing into law edicts that transgress the bounds of the constitution, it is up to the judiciary to interpret redress mistakes that may have been made by legislators,” said Anwar, who is also Permatang Pauh MP.
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