'No need for national reconciliation'

There is no need for national reconciliation as the problem that Malaysia is facing now was “a crisis of political legitimacy”, said political analyst James Chin.

According to the political science professor from Monash University, there were three core issues surrounding this so-called crisis, namely: Election Commission, electoral system and political financing.

Chin said that it is critical that these three issues must be resolved, or else, the public will raise these issues in the next general election.

“The problem we face now is not reconciliation. There is nothing to reconcile. Election by its very nature allows freedom to choose,” Chin said at the sidelines of a post GE13 seminar at International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).

Dismissing the discourse over the 'Chinese tsunami' support for the Opposition in this election, Chin said that traditionally, the majority of Chinese, since 1999 has always supported the Opposition. “It was just that this time the gap was very wide.”

“The whole talk about national reconciliation is just politicians having nothing else better to do. The solutions that are offered does not do anything if people are not going to accept the way election was held,” he said.

To a question from the floor during the seminar, Chin said that there is a demand for the EC to be more professional and not exclusively made up of retired civil servants.

On the electoral system, Chin said that issues include the electoral boundaries, East Malaysia, voting eligibility and so on.

On political financing, Chin said that the current way it was not regulated makes it biased towards richer people.

“We know that since day one, nobody follows the limit. Everyone knows that for every seat minimum RM3 million but people are talking about billions now,” he said.

A parliamentary candidate can spend RM200,000 on campaigning. It is RM100,000 for those contesting for a state seat.

Meanwhile, Datuk Seri Prof Syed Arabi Idid, a Professor in Department of Communication, Kulliyyuah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences in IIUM said that a new cluster has been formed under the National Council of Professors on national reconciliation.

“After independence in 1957, there was a need for the three parties Umno, MIC, MCA to form an alliance. After the 1969 riots, there was a need for a bigger alliance because there was a geographical expansion in 1963, and forming the Department of National Unity…”

“But today, there is a need for reconciliation, but what is the basis? We’re still looking for the answers,” he said, adding that he would be chairing that new cluster.

Syed however said that the studies and discussions being done has to look beyond political divide.

“We have to also look at racial and cultural divide and the generational divide. Some of these divides are forever there, though I think we have learned to be accommodative, we have accepted the idea that we are all different, but as long as the differences are not threatening, then we don’t need to minimize this fear.”

Associate professor from Singapore Management University, Bridget Welsh, said that a big problem was that the discussion is framed in within ethnic terms.

“The issues dividing the country is not just about race, but issues related to good governance, and issues on ideas and ideology. You have to find common ground to build national reconciliation.”

“One of the problems, corruption and electoral reform,” she said.

Welsh said that an issue Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak faces was that he was that “he himself is not trusted by many people.”

“On three fronts, he is facing his own flank, he is facing opposition, he is facing public. He has come out of this election with less trust than he went in.”

Welsh said that Najib cannot continue to go silent on many issues, and has to talk to the people and engage as the country is calling for clear leadership.

“He should be talking to the people, setting out his priority. Explain what he meant by national reconciliation, or he would appear as if he isn’t clear himself.

IIUM Associate professor in the Department of Political Science professor Wahabuddin Ra’ees Be said that Malaysia would have to look within to reconcile and there is very minimal need to look for a model in other countries.

“Though obviously the first step is engaging the Malays. It should be seen not only in the context of not only the Malays will meet but how the Chinese and Indian can be brought into the debate as well,” said Wahabuddin.

He added that there needs to be research, committees formed, and a blueprint for the national unity and stability and integrity be written.

“So that is the direction they need to work on. It shouldn’t be an abrupt thing where two parties meet… not say it one time and forget about it.”

Late last month, Najib said that the government plans to set up a National Consultative Council on Unity.

Najib, who first mentioned reconciliation immediately post May 5 results, also said that a pre-condition for national reconciliation was for everyone to accept results of GE13.