Malaysia is a country that has a democracy which has not matured yet but there is still room and opportunity to achieve it.
This is the opinion of student activist Fahmi Zainol, when commenting on one of Vision 2020’s challenges which is ‘fostering and developing a mature democratic society’.
Fahmi said Malaysia is not matured because injustice still lingers in the judicial system, political slanders, abuse of police power and media bias.
“Laws such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota) and the Sedition Act, hinder the mission of realising Vision 2020 goals," Fahmi said when contacted.
"Acts and legislations like these are created to ‘silence’ the voices of people who criticise or oppose the government. As a result, the government will remain in power and govern without hearing the people out," he said.
“This goes against the practice of a healthy democracy," Fahmi added.
Fahmi also said that Malaysians now have a different way of thinking and are heading towards achieving a mature society.
“Some people have an advanced way of thinking. But there are others who are plagued but emotions and sentiments.
“What's best is not to stop educating the public, through thinking and expressing what is right. Our leaders should start doing this first.
“For example, leaders need to respond to people's problems and not give silly excuses, twist facts, blame others and create racial sentiment,” he said.
READ: #5Tahun2020: The people are ready, but the government isn't - Ambiga
READ: #5Tahun2020: Malaysia is 'too young' to form Bangsa Malaysia - Ibrahim Ali
Fahmi added that even though the government attempts to suppress the voices in the social media, there is a wave of change as people today are more likely to get information and communicate through social media.
“There is no denying the role of social media in a democratic space in Malaysia where both the government conveying information.”
Fahmi said it is possible for a democratic culture in the country, to be fuelled by social media.
T K Letchumy Tamboo
Tue May 26 2015
Malaysia is a country that has a democracy which has not matured yet but it still has room and opportunity to achieve it, says Fahmi Zainol.
Dewan Rakyat lulus RUU Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia
Rang Undang-Undang Agensi Kawalan dan Perlindungan Sempadan Malaysia 2024 yang bertujuan menubuhkan MCBA diluluskan persidangan Dewan Rakyat, hari ini.
PAC akan mulakan prosiding isu dibangkit LKAN Siri 2/2024
Jawatankuasa Kira-Kira Wang Negara (PAC) akan memulakan prosiding bagi empat isu yang dibangkitkan dalam Laporan Ketua Audit Negara (LKAN) Siri 2/2024.
AWANI Ringkas: Kes bunuh Nur Farah Kartini | Skandal LCS
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
ADUN Rembia sertai Pas, kenapa tak umum tahun lepas? - MP Kampar
Chong Zhemin, tindakan tersebut seolah-olah satu penghinaan paling besar kepada Parlimen yang telah meluluskan pindaan Perlembagaan Persekutuan berkait Akta Antilompat Parti.
Masuk Pas untuk sama-sama susah dengan rakyat - ADUN Rembia
Muhamad Jailani berkata, sebelum ini beliau pernah menghantar surat kepada Lembaga Disiplin UMNO memohon untuk memecat keahliannya daripada parti Melayu itu.
[TERKINI] Astro dipilih sebagai penyiar rasmi Olimpik Paris 2024
Astro dipilih sebagai penyiar rasmi bagi Sukan Olimpik Paris 2024 bermula hujung bulan ini.
[TERKINI] Speaker DUN Melaka tunggu surat rasmi Muhammad Jailani
DUN Melaka masih menunggu surat rasmi daripada Pas berhubung tindakan ADUN Rembia, Datuk Muhamad Jailani Khamis yang menyertai Pas.
Sasar sumbang RM500 bilion kepada kdnk tempoh tiga tahun
Selangor perlu merancakkan semula kapasiti pembuatan untuk tidak hanya memenuhi keperluan tempatan, tetapi menjadikan negeri itu sebagai asas kepada pelan peluasan ke rantau Asia Tenggara dan Asia.
Wanita dihempap kayu balak mula sedarkan diri
Wanita yang nyaris maut akibat dihempap kayu balak dalam kejadian di lampu isyarat di Persimpangan Bendahara, Jalan Gua Musang-Kuala Krai di sini 9 Julai lepas, kini dilaporkan mula sedarkan diri.
Sah suspek anggota polis
Ketua Polis Selangor, Datuk Hussein Omar Khan mengesahkan suspek bunuh Nur Farah Kartini, ialah anggota polis.
Suspek juga yang dipercayai teman lelaki mangsa dan bertugas di Perak.
Suspek juga yang dipercayai teman lelaki mangsa dan bertugas di Perak.
Facebook akui media sosial boleh bahayakan sistem demokrasi
Facebook mengakui gagal mengawal rangkaian media sosial itu daripada digunakan pihak asing dalam pilihan raya presiden Amerika Syarikat yang lalu.