Has the
present political situation, where Opposition parties are alleged to be supported
by the Chinese while the Barisan still maintains Malay support, become “too
racial” for the country? It did happen
after the 1969 elections. The Barisan was formed with a noble objective of
reducing “racial sensitivities” by incorporating many parties of various races.
Over the years however, it has failed as fair and just political coalition.
Firstly,
the overwhelming dominance of UMNO and it “ketuanan Melayu” policies have made
the other political parties almost weak and redundant. Many “racial” imbalances
have arisen from the UMNO-Barisan policies leading to the frustration of many
Malaysians.
Even
after the 2004 elections, when MCA, Gerakan and other non-Malay parties in
Barisan won many seats, they were still marginialised in terms of cabinet
representation. Their voice was seldom raised, or if it were, was often ignored
and even ridiculed!
The
dominance of UMNO-Barisan has led to privileges that were distributed to UMNO
vested interests, thus not benefiting even many bumiputras.
The
dominance of UMNO-Barisan has led to gross corruption with little
accountability and opposition and perhaps tacit support from the other
coalition parties.
The
UMNO-Barisan government is in fact now more sensitive to the needs of the
people of all races with the increased opposition since the March 8 tsunami.
The
emergence of Pakatan Rakyat , another coalition of multiracial and multi-religious
parties provide an alternative. Though not as cohesive in structure, yet they
are more equitable in interparty approach to the issues facing the country. It
may not be better than Barisan but then democratic processes allow the people
to make the choice every 5 years.
Thus the
emergence of Two opposing coalitions augur well for the future and may even
lead to less “racial problems” than in the past.
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