Most Read
Most Commented
Read more like this
mk-logo
From Our Readers

Has the BN outlived its political usefulness? It is possible for the ethnic coalition that was formed about 59 years ago to reproduce itself and remain relevant perennially in Malaysian politics? What is the future for multi-racial political coalitions in the future?

I think most would agree that the ‘heyday’ of BN politics is almost over. If this grand coalition survives and remains somewhat dominant, then the answer must be sought in the coercive realm. The threat of racial riots, the need to maintain ‘ketuanan’ Melayu, and the use of the coercive apparatus of the state among others renders the BN somewhat relevant for the time being.

However, we know that coercive apparatus might not render the longevity of the regime for too long. It is just a short-term measure. The regime must ultimately need its hegemonic or propagandistic machinery for long-term survival. But alas, events in the last few decades tend to indicate that the reproduction of hegemony in Malaysia by BN and its dominant component might be problematic.

One by one, the very basis of the BN’s survival which very much depends on Umno’s strength tends to get eroded. It has come to be accepted that Umno is not the sole representative of the Malays. The rise of PAS and PKR has punctured a hole in this form of legitimation. In fact, many see Umno as more of a burden to Malays than anything else.

Unimaginable forms of corruption, abuse of power, the enrichment of the Umno elite, scandals in the BN’s component parties and recently the various scandals associated with 1MDB have raised issues that were never raised before.

The fact that public funds had allegedly flowed into the private accounts of Najib Abdul Razak, the prime minister, has damaged Umno and the BN beyond repair. Yes, Najib might be mulling about taking the Wall Street Journal ( WSJ ) to court. But then Malaysians are convinced that WSJ, backed by powerful American multinationals and the US government, would not be cowed into submission.

Let’s face it, WSJ is not Utusan Malaysia , the latter being the media outlet of Umno.

Najib can say what he wants, but the writings on the wall are clear. He must relinquish his post as the prime minister of the country. Malaysians have no faith in him. Except for certain sycophants, even Umno members doubt the veracity of the claims by Najib that he “would never steal” money from Malaysians.

Other than Umno, the other component parties of BN are in shambles. MCA, Gerakan, PPP, MIC and others in the states of Sarawak and Sabah are in the doldrums.

With Umno experiencing problems of political legitimacy, these parties have nothing to contribute to Malaysians. Years of subservience to Umno has reduced these parties to ‘zero’ status in the country.

Poor and pathetic examples

MCA and Gerakan are poor and pathetic examples of political representation for the Chinese. The Chinese in Malaysia think that both the parties are lackeys for Umno.

Following the 2008 general election, Chinese votes have gone to DAP and PKR. It would be near impossible for these two political ‘puppets’ ever to come back as a significant force in Malaysian politics. Both have ‘sold out’ Chinese interests for some cabinet posts.

The MIC is a laughing matter for Indians. S Samy Vellu, its former president, destroyed whatever gains the party made for Indians. Now the party has been split into two camps, and one of the camps headed by S Subramaniam who expects Najib to resolve the internal problems of the MIC.

If Najib cannot save himself, how is he going to save the MIC!

With Umno in tatters, it is matter of time these non-Malay component parties collapse like ‘dominoes’. There are rumours that some leaders of the BN component parties are even contemplating joining the opposition coalition.

Umno, given its precarious political nature, is thinking of entering into a pact with PAS to shore up Malay support. It is no surprise that lately some PAS leaders have come to support Najib over the unfavourable report in WSJ . Those familiar with Malaysian politics understand that this ‘honeymoon’ with PAS is ephemeral.

It is not that the opposition parties are in a great shape.  But in comparison with BN, they seem to offer hope for Malaysians. With the betrayal of PAS, the coalition of Pakatan Rakyat is no longer in existence. However, unlike BN with no ideas to move on, DAP and PKR might be moving in the direction of embracing a new partner in the new coalition of ‘New Pakatan Rakyat’.

With the entry of progressive forces, the chances are that the new coalition might be an improved version of the earlier one. No more divisive talk about introducing ‘Islamic state’ or ‘hudud’.

BN in general and Umno in particular are being destroyed by forces within and without. This grand coalition, once an example of consociationalism, is fast ‘bleeding to death’.

No experts can save the coalition from oblivion. Just like a candle that burns brightest before being finally extinguished, we might see flashes of Umno and BN before they meet their ultimate death politically.


P RAMASAMY is deputy chief minister (II) of Penang and state assemblyperson for Perai.

ADS