Previously, non-state actors such as ordinary citizens, NGOs, local communities had little influence in shaping political opinion. The advent of the Internet changed the script and we have seen how from a timid populace, citizens have slowly found their voice and roaring down the various channels of communication, especially social media. Along the way, state-civil society relations are now strained.
The proliferation of civil societies and their activities, particularly street protests and demonstrations, do not necessarily constitute social capital that can promote peace and democracy. The angle of news reporting, features or blog posts and the ease by which citizens express themselves in social media or news portals have exacerbated matters. In fact, these could promote communal disharmony.
Malaysians must stop thinking in black and white terms to the exclusion of morals, ethics, ideals, and values. Across the board, messages seem to be BN versus PR contesting one goal – control of Malaysia. Regardless of whichever side one supports, one needs to disaggregate these two sides into smaller groups so we can evaluate issues fairly, not fallaciously.
For example, a recent revelation regarding the failed Penang Water Theme Park Project has had both sides up in arms as can be seen in comments to various articles. Pro DAP supporters object to queries because there are other issues whereby the government has made greater losses. In this respect, citizens have lost their sense of judgement. The issue is NOT BN versus DAP. Rather, it is a question of accountability to citizens who elected them into power. The state government has the moral and political responsibility to respond to queries instead of brushing off objections.
Another point is how citizens willingly allow some parties to re-quote their leaders’ statements of certain demands without thinking beyond those superficial statements. A clear example is the recent UM incident about Anwar’s talk - “40 Years: From University of Malaya to Jail”. Currently, the main focus is on the lockdown and Anwar’s agenda.
Few thought about legitimate concerns such as the fact that university authorities do not allow any political activities on campus and that by going ahead to hold the event despite the locked gates, it amounts to nothing but sheer rebellion – a deliberate act of disobedience. One wonders if anyone checked with the MPPUM (Student Representative Council of Universiti Malaya) about the logistics and legitimacy of the event, if the whole student body endorsed it! What are we teaching the younger generation – that it is perfectly acceptable to rebel against authority?
Yet, so many Malaysians, including Lim Kit Siang Lim, have urged Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Muhyiddin Yasin to punish those responsible for the “stain and stigma” to the university by locking the campus gates and switching off power supplies, even if they were to include the Vice Chancellor.
Have Malaysians lost their marbles?
In an exclusive interview with a news portal, MPPUM chairman of Residential Colleges and Off Campus, Mohd Faridzuan Karim said, “This talk was never discussed with us. We were completely ignored, as if we did not matter one bit.
“Fahmi used his power as YDP (president) to make a unilateral decision to go ahead with a programmed that was not agreed to by the rest of us.”
In simple terms, “student leader and MPPUM (Student Representative Council of Universiti Malaya) president Fahmi Zainol acted independently without the agreement of any of the 43 other council members.”
He also revealed that most of the students who attended were not even made up of UM students, but those from outside. So, was this a carefully staged event to gain mileage for Anwar’s case?
What is more worrying is the MPPUM chairman of Residential Colleges and Off Campus only waited till after the event to reveal all this when he should have taken pro-active steps as soon as possible.
The way netizens and citizens are demonizing university authorities and glorifying the event points us in one direction – many Malaysians have lost their marbles.
Influenced by propaganda, many go on a crusade for justice as dictated by those with a hidden agenda who have no qualms about destroying the moral fabric of society. Consequently, many Malaysians cannot see clearly, think logically, analyze rationally, and take steps to build this nation in the direction of peace and harmony.
What do we want for our country? Marvelous Malaysians or Marbleless Malaysians?
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