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Sakmongkol ak 47

ariff.sabri@gmail.com

Friday 5 September 2008

The 3rd Way- No Thank you!

let's blow up this democracy!

I have been uneasy these few days. A few ex servicemen whom I met and some UMNO grassroots leaders appear despondent. Being so used to tried and tested government the last 50 over years render them timid souls to face the unknown. The future under PKR with Herr Anwar as the new Fuhrer, is a great unknown.

The solution which they offer as panacea for their pessimism is what bothers me. The ex servicemen volunteered that perhaps its best if the army takes over. The UMNO chaps concurred- saying that would be better than losing power. Then, some comments in my blog suggesting the same, gives me the impression, this idea of rule by military is gaining ground?.

What? Government by the army? Military dictatorship?

I sincerely hope we shall never have to go that way. Malaysia is a democracy and must remain that forever. We compete in the realm of ideas and convictions and not in terms of clashing of brute force.

Even more worrying is what these casual talks represent. To me, it can lead to a conclusion that, really, after 51 years of independence, we have not imbued a democratic culture.

We have on the other hand, instilled an idea of a false democracy made possible, sustainable and succoured only by the rule of an elite group. This idea of an elite democracy reaches its high point, sad to say, under the vacillating rule of Pak Lah and Dato Najib.

That is, thus far, the concept of democracy as understood by the masses, is that variety parlayed and drummed in by the elite in this country. Then, UNLESS the rule over this country is forever vested in the hands of the current elite, people are doomed.

Therefore the comfortable alternative, if power cannot be retained by the elite, is military rule. This kind of talk, even casual one, must be, as they say in military parlance, be terminated with extreme prejudice!

5 comments:

Anonymous,  5 September 2008 at 16:06  

In my opinion, we should not rule out any option, even as a last resort one.

Ala MAGERAN style on a strictly temporary stay, i.e. until the politicians come to their senses if by that appointed time, they are still "paying with fire" so to speak. One would have expected at least the "fear of prolonged military rule" would have dissuaded irresponsible parties and groups from being unmistakably arrogant.

I'm not for the preservation of the current elite per se if it's synomymous with corruption, nepotism, dictatorship within the party, weak leadership etc. The ruling party definitely has to undergo a process of renewal and rejuvenation.

But I am 100% for the preservation of the agreed upon social contract, special privileges of the Malays and other bumiputras as well as the special positions of the Rulers and Islam. Ditto DEB. I am also vehemently against any foreign interference in our internal affairs under whatever guise.

Perceiving that the ruling government and the Malays/ Muslims are now at their weakest point in recent times however, it appears that some people just don't care a hoot for wider public interest any more.

Now if anybody can justify anything in the high-sounding yet false pretence of democracy, equality, people power etc, what is there to stop others from equally justifying a drastic "military"/ brute force solution?

Ariff Sabri 5 September 2008 at 16:32  

you write as a very well informed person. your arguments are persuasive. do you blog? i agree with you as to the positions of Islam and the rulers. i also agree on a continuation of some form of affirmative policies for the malays/bumis. but would love to see the rise of the Malay more by internal combustion rather than being externally driven. keeps them under mental bondage.
would welcome your continuous comments. as to the use of military rule to justify democracy, what if we do not have people in the mould of TUn Razak and Tun Dr Ismail? i fear, military rule or emergency proclamation is the tiger we ride but which we now fear to disembark?

Ariff Sabri 5 September 2008 at 18:49  

the last phrase should be...which we now fear to dismount. was thinking about a ship that time...haha

Anonymous,  5 September 2008 at 19:43  

I dont agree the military should usurped.

There was a certain General Musharaf in a certain country who did that in 1998 or 1999. I think he just stepped down from power last month.

We do not want to be an international pariah. Let
democracy runs it own course.

anor

Anonymous,  6 September 2008 at 13:48  

Anon 15:06: Tq bro for the kind remarks. I'm juz a small fry surfing n writing comments when I feel like it. Been following yours & JMD of late. Keep up the good work.

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