I must say that our Malaysian political system got off kind of strange and awkward from the very beginning. Why do I say this? This is because of the political parties involved. In my opinion, every self-respecting citizen should enter or contribute to a political party based on political ideologies, and on what political system the country should be governed by to ensure progress and development that benefits everyone. I am very new in politics so do correct me if I am wrong here.
In Malaysia however, the political system is kind of strange and awkward if I should say so. Political parties represent races rather than political ideologies. This has been going on for the last few decades without any changes. In my opinion, the political system itself creates racial tension among the people and the political system itself created racial marginalisation.
I have to agree with what Anwar Ibrahim said in one of his ceramah - that the main political parties in the country are each protecting their respective race's interests. But protecting their interests from what? From the other races? That itself is already promoting racial tension.
If the political parties represent race, then the country’s politics will be based on race and racial tension will escalate when one political party representing only one race appears to be dominant socially and economically compared to other parties.
However, if political parties represent political ideologies, racial tension will not be an issue because it the debates will based on political ideologies, rather than on race. In that sense, for example, Malay MPs can voice their opinions based on a certain political ideology his/her political party believes in and these political ideologies may be supported by Chinese, Indians and other races as well.
It is a kind of a package with the people comprising different races uniting to protect the interests of their political ideology, rather than uniting toonly protect the interests of their own race.
Our ministers promote Malaysia to the world as a multiracial country where the people of different races co-exist in harmony. That may be true on the surface, but deep inside all of us there is still racial tension because we grew up exposed to race-based politics. The tension will escalate even more should one race feel left behind in the midst of the county's development.
Fortunately, thanks to the leaders of the opposition parties this situation is now under control. They did a fantastic job addressing this issue with the people in a very peaceful, diplomatic and democratic manner. The results showed in the recent elections.
I wonder what were the ruling parties doing all this while? Somehow it is very puzzling that they are unaware of such problems brewing in their own backyard. Could it be arrogance? Could it be ignorance? Only God knows.
