I refer to the Malaysiakini report Tiananmen anniversary amid tight security .

The publication of internal Communist Party documents (Tiananmen Papers) as well as Zhao Ziyang's memoirs (Prisoner of the State) have allowed a dispassionate analysis of the Tiananmen incident, deriving useful lessons for developing democracies as we approach the 20th anniversary of this momentous event.

In 1989, the five-man Politburo Standing Committee could not agree on a united strategy to face the popular public display of dissatisfaction at governance in China; two favored negotiations, two favored a crack-down while the third hedged his bets.

This resulted in intense lobbying by both factions to Deng Xiaoping, who although officially retired , was the one making important decisions. The side that got first to Deng publicly announced his privately-expressed anger at the student demonstrators, thus setting on the road leading inevitably to violence.

The lesson to be learnt is that those with the responsibility of governance must keep differences under control, avoid excessive politicking and not seek total victory whatever the consequences.

Because of June 4, 1989, China's reforms and development stagnated until Deng reignited it with his famous southern tour of Shenzen in 1992 arguing that ‘to get rich is glorious'. There is a message here for the protagonists who have paralysed the Perak state.

In telling his story, Zhao Ziyang expressed frustration at the difficulty in negotiating with the diverse groups making up the Tiananmen demonstrators, and their constantly shifting demands.

Thus, in a young democracy unused to loud and aggressive debate, it is important that public demonstrations are avoided, and extreme demands be deprived of publicity.

Instead of having opponents criticise the extremists of one side, it may be far better for the country if unacceptable views are checked by one's own party. This makes it more likely for a negotiated outcome to prevail.

After all, in the US, a liberal Republican often agrees with a conservative Democrat.

In 1989, Mikhail Gorbachev was hailed as a hero not just in the Soviet Union but also around the world. But in the last Russian election in which he stood, Gorbachev obtained less than 5% of the votes cast.

Over the last 20 years, China has become the world's third largest economy, and the US Treasury Secretary is now in Beijing seeking continued Chinese purchase of US debts.

Many are thus relieved that Zhao Ziyang, although earnest, did not win the debate in 1989.

Ultimately people value not the right to vote as some in America seem to be saying, but the right to a peaceful life and a decent rice-bowl.

As Malaysia enters the post-March 2008 era, both Barisan and Pakatan will do well to remember that history will be on the side of those who can deliver a better quality of life.