FEBRUARY 20 — As the 14th General Elections (GE14) draws near, there is a gradual raising of the tempo of provocative commentary, not just from politicians, but all those that stand to gain or lose from the results of the election.
Sitting in the Klang Valley amid the babel of competing voices in the mainstream and alternative media universes, it is easy to believe that governance or the lack of it from Putrajaya is determining the levels of happiness of every Malaysian.
From inflation to race relations, from traffic to employment and from the (un)affordability of housing to access to home loans, every issue tends to be dissected from the lens of one’s political leanings.
But is everybody involved, or even listening? Between the over three million eligible voters who have refused to register and another couple of million at least who have registered but just can’t be bothered to vote, there is a significant number of people who seem to be either apathetic to the political process of democracy, or content to live their lives outside its ambit.
Historically, Malaysia has rarely made news for the wrong reasons. In comparison to the rest of Asia or even closer home in Asean, almost nobody has a track record on political stability, communal harmony, national and individual economic growth, rule of law and peaceful co-existence, an abundance of natural resources and almost no natural disasters that this country has.
Consequently, looked at from the outside Malaysian people have been living a life of amazing contentment for the last 60 years compared to the upheavals all around the neighbourhood.
Of course, things are not remotely as rosy from the inside. Amid corruption scandals, GST and the cost of living, the falling ringgit, rising crime, illegal immigration, ethnic and religious tensions etc., there is plenty of discontent and a realisation that change of some sort is not just desirable, but compulsory.
But even so, Malaysians have generally been able to cope with the vicissitudes of everyday life by focusing on what’s really important for happiness; a laser like focus on good food and regular celebrations.
Which is why this insistence by both sides of the political divide that the coming elections are somehow a do or die moment in the country’s destiny seem somewhat overblown from a distance.
It’s perfectly acceptable for political parties to tout their accomplishments and rubbish the opposing sides, but this insistence that if one side wins it will be the end of Malaysia as we know it due to utter chaos that will be unleashed, or if the other side wins the only real winner will be unbridled corruption and cronyism is not just simplistic, but completely implausible.
At some time or the other over the last few years, politicians of all stripes have tried to tap into discontent over economic, social, racial or religious issues into pitting segments of the population against each other to create electoral advantage.
But while there are always demographic and social divisions, the Malaysian electorate has been remarkably sophisticated in terms of who they put into power.
Malaysians have demonstrated that they are perfectly willing to throw out incumbents from so-called safe seats, change state governments and take away supermajorities but keep the overall ship of governance stable.
Change has come, but not at the cost of taking away a cherished way of life. When they get serious, turnouts are high, people fly home from all parts to vote and the energy is palpable.
Or they may just lepak at home or UndiRosak on election day. But they all rest content in the knowledge that whatever the outcome, this unique tanah air is theirs to enjoy and protect.
So, whether GE 14 throws dramatic change, a little change or none at all, it is unlikely to tear the real social contract between all the communities of this nation; to co-exist without greed, without destructive anger but with empathy and gratefulness.
To want more without giving up what is already there, to aspire yet be content, to be always hungry yet easily satisfied; that feels like the Malaysian way. Gong Xi Fa Cai and safe travels.
