Yesterday, Britons through a referendum made a decision to leave European Union. The ruling Conservative Party divided on this referendum and David Cameron in favour of ‘Remain’ was defeated outright. Even though he is disagreed with the decision of Britons, he announced that he is resigning from his premiership in respect of people’s decision. We can expect in a mature democracy country like United Kingdom this is vastly anticipated to be transpired.
A few days ago, the current chief commissioner of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) made a statement that he is stepping down from his position, and there are some rumours indicating that a few prominent officers from the said commission will either resign or retire. It’s very eccentric news for Malaysians as it will have a profound impact on bribery and corruption issues in Malaysia as a whole.
Recently, two by-elections were won by Barisan Nasional, the ruling party of Malaysia. Many promises had been made during the campaign periods. All the pledges were said to be directed for the benefit of the people. Whether all promises will be fulfilled or not, no one can be too sure.
I am sitting at one corner of a ‘kopitiam’ and reflecting what is happening to my country. In a democratic nation, the people are actually in power, but whether Malaysians have realised that they possess this power or not, I am not too sure. It’s our responsibility to direct this nation to greater heights. We cannot blame others for the misdeeds.
It’s a right time now for us to assume those responsibilities. The past events which had happened in our country give false hope to me. These events allow to me to revisit the notion of natural law and rhythms cycles theory.
According to the American Heritage Dictionary, natural law means ‘a law or body of laws that derives from nature and is believed to be binding upon human actions apart from or in conjunction with laws established by human authority’.
Natural law is associates with the theory of karma i.e. good deeds are rewarded but bad deeds will be punished.
Further, Aquinas, one of the most famous natural law theorists, stated, “Law is a dictate of reason from the ruler for the community he rules. This dictate of reason is first and foremost within the reason or intellect of the ruler. It is the idea of what should be done to insure the well-ordered functioning of whatever community the ruler has care for.”
He summarised that the ruler or the government has the priority to fulfill the needs of the people and that’s should be the fundamental condition for them to adhere with. He added that if one fails on this, nature will take its cause by punishing or removing the said ruler or government.
In addition, rhythms cycles theory which discuss the fall and rise of empires or political parties is propagated by Immanuel Wallerstein. In this theory, once the regimes achieved the optimum rise and its start to fall. Therefore to be relevant to the society as whole the said regimes will engage with mere fear, aggressive and oppressive tactics to stop the waves of discontentment.
Unfortunately, nature will not allow these regimes which are in power to be remaining in power forever.
By explaining his theory he said that all the empires like Mughal Dynasty, the British Empire and the period Germany’s supremacy had gone through this process. Meanwhile, political parties like Kuomintang in Taiwan, LDP in Japan, Labour Party in the UK and Republican Party in the USA had similar experiences.
‘This process cannot be dismantled’
Further he said, this process is cannot be dismantle. It’s a requirement of the nature and both theories are inter-related. If someone had done good deeds, the possible outcome will be a reward.
The fall of Marcos and Suharto indicate that they were overthrown by their own people because of their transgressions. Meanwhile, the retirement of Lee Kuan Yew and Nelson Mandela from politics allowed them to be regarded as statesmen globally because of their contributions to their nation and the world.
From international relations, the decline of American supremacy and the rise of China and Russia are based on this theory. Even though the USA is currently regarded as the sole superpower, its dependency on China has evidenced its reluctance to get involved directly with the South China Sea conflict.
In a nutshell, the pattern of the events that happening in our country in past two years, the disposition of people is changed considerably because of the high-handed measures which were detrimental to the nation as a whole. Therefore the transformation is preordained. But whether this transformation will brings positive outcome or not, only history will determine.
Therefore, Malaysians are at a crossroads now. We need to awake from deep dreams on the notion that all is well for us. We have to concoct a momentum to regain the power which was entrusted to people who walks on the corridors of power. We must remember and realise that this is our country and no one else’s. The progression or regression of this nation is our hands now. So, we need to awake to assume this responsibility for our next generation of Malaysians.
It’s time for Malaysians to look into Brexit as a model to determine the destiny of this nation. We need to remember the well-being of our beloved nation is not on the hands of politicians but it’s on our hands.
R PANEIR SELVAM is chairperson, Association of Legal and Policy Researchers.
