The presence of Dr Mahathir Mohamad at the DAP national party conference on Dec 4, 2016 will likely have caused some ripples in Umno but it certainly did cause more than a stir within the DAP. The Star on Dec 5, 2016, under the heading ‘Lecturer quits as he can’t stomach DAP teaming up with ‘enemy’‘ reported about the views of two prominent DAP members, both lawyers.

One was reported to have resigned his life membership of the party as he could not “stomach DAP teaming up with ‘enemy’”, whilst the other cautioned the DAP, saying, “Now, I strongly urge the leaders of DAP to be very mindful when we choose our allies”, further adding, “Yes, there are no permanent friends or enemies but there must be permanent principles. And when we chose our allies, we must be sure that their principles are genuinely in line with ours.”

Most readers will understand the anger of one and the call for caution of the other. We, the rakyat, are looking for the elusive ‘true democracy’, which has many flaws but has been idealised as some achievable political utopia. We of course want every political party to ensure that it stays on course as far as principles are concerned. But what exactly are the principles which the rakyat is interested in now?

Not necessarily in the order listed here, we want the rule of law (not rule by law), justice, good governance, equality, transparency, accountability, etc. We would like all these, and more. But we are realistic enough to know that achieving our principled aims will not come as a whole but will arrive piecemeal, occasionally in large pieces, we hope.

In order to arrive at our destination, it is inescapable that we will have to indulge in realpolitik. Before anyone jumps the gun and defines realpolitik as ‘politics based on practical and material factors rather than on theoretical or ethical objectives ‘(Merriam-Webster), let me say that this does not mean that the politics has to be completely devoid of any morals or ethics.

Most ordinary people will still consider ethics as a necessary part of realpolitik. They merely see realpolitik as realistic, pragmatic politics without doing any about-face on the key principles.

Without getting into a detailed discussion of realpolitik it is enough to say that Mahathir’s presence, and the large acceptance of it by the DAP members and leadership, is recognition of the need to be realistic. No one has any illusion or doubt about the damage done to the rule of law by Mahathir during his tenure as PM; the thinking rakyat have neither forgiven him nor forgotten his deeds (misdeeds). But are we any better off now? I think not.

Let us take one example that most affects us: the ringgit. It has shrunk in value vis-à-vis foreign currencies, the consequences of which include the increasing cost of living.

In January 1984, at my farewell dinner (I was posted to another state) I referred to the ringgit and said “We should call it shringgit”. It was only half in jest; that it was so prophetic is an unpalatable joke. This is but one example of what we, the rakyat, are unhappy about. What brought about this disaster has been debated and discussed at length by others savvier about economics than I.

The purpose of this write-up is to ask those who have fought long and hard, and stuck by their principles, to see that the rakyat get its legitimate dues, to be not so quick to abandon their party just because the party appears to have teamed up with its erstwhile ‘enemy’.

‘Be a little realistic’

Right now we want you to be a little realistic. By resigning, to whom or to which party will you now turn? Will the other options be any different? Will we get our total package in one go? The last 60 years tell me we have made no progress as far as our civil rights and liberties go; we have in fact slid too far down.

Is there any political party, politician or individual who has not made compromises? Is there anyone who has stayed absolutely true to all his principles? Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.

When we make new allies we would certainly like to “be sure that their principles are genuinely in line with ours” but we must be realistic enough to know that this can never be so in relation to all our principles.

Should the current opposition ever come to power, will it remain true to all its principles and promises without compromise? I answer that in the negative and am prepared to put a wager on my assertion.

The assumption that upon coming into power the extremist will become moderate or that the principled moderate will stay totally true to its principles has yet to be proven. The proof of the converse is there for all to see. The ‘Donald’ already appears to be making some U-turns.

Why, then do we want a change? It’s because there are visible signs that the current opposition offers us more than we have ever had, more that we rightfully should have had a long time ago.

I have friends and classmates who are and have been in the ‘opposition’, of whom at least one was detained under Dr Mahathir’s Ops Lalang. I am confident the change will be for the better, but am realistic enough to know that it will not be all hunky-dory, that some compromises will have to be made.

If it’s necessary to team up with Mahathir to get closer to ‘home’ then so be it; we will not forget what he did but his help in getting closer to our dreams may help mitigate his wrongs.