The 'Good vs Evil' trap

I disagree with the interviewees (forum panelists) in an article published in the Free Malaysia Today website on 14th May 2013 which called for the people to take to the streets and topple the BN government.

In a brief overview, the article quoted three panelists at a forum, Haris Ibrahim (ABU - Anything But Umno), Adam Adli Halim (student activist) and Hishammuddin Rais (Bersih) calling for the rakyat to take to the streets and topple the government.

Apparently, another five years is just too long to wait to vote Barisan Nasional out of the federal office, and according to these three individuals, we have to take it by force.

Here's the deal. I think they're on their own.

As much as everyone (me included) felt that GE 13 was going to be the best opportunity to change the federal government, the results cannot be contested through an uprising on the streets.

I did not work this hard as a Malaysian and as a journalist, writing articles and shooting documentaries, and arguing to the intellect of other Malaysians to have it all put to waste by a violent uprising (and neither did so many of my other fellow Malaysians).

As much as we hype up the fight as a 'revolution', the fight in Malaysia has never been a violent revolution. It does not warrant any form of violence, period.

We fight the dignified way, which is through discourse, debate and eventually the polls. That is true democracy now, is that not? And that is what I am fighting for.

Ok fine. Many people would say that the polls are not clean and fair, and we should not accept something that is corrupt and unclean.

To this, I say I agree. But then, reveal the truth through evidence and facts. Don't go accusing all and sundry based on unsubstantiated rumours you view and listen to on Facebook, YouTube or Twitter.

As it is, there are already parties now conducting investigations and gathering information to prove the claims that the election was fraudulent and hence the government should not be recognised.

To this, I say go right ahead and if it is true, then we should take the proper (and dignified) steps to rectify the matter.

Countries that have had violent uprisings that toppled their governments like in Egypt, Tunisia and Syria are at the other end of the spectrum from which Malaysia sits.

I have been to these countries and I have seen their violent revolutions. In fact, their people have been injured and killed literally next to me as I stood amongst them.

They have very real and legit reasons to have to fight and die for. But their reasons are real and legit in their situation. Please believe me when I say that our Malaysian situation is far off from theirs.

Patience is a virtue. And if supporters of the federal opposition really want to have a change in government, then be patient. There's nothing to be afraid off.

Malaysians have already made their point in two general elections of wanting a healthy democracy with a check and balance system by denying a two-thirds majority for the ruling government and creating a strong opposition.

A change in government might not have happened last week. It might not even happen in five years. Or it might. Who the hell knows anymore.

Political parties, leaders and members will change, either willingly or having forced to do so, according to the development and maturity of the rakyat. That is only natural, and it is clearly happening.

So I am happy as long as there is progress. And honestly, progress is exactly what I see exists and is happening today, finally.

I fear that Malaysians will fall into a trap where they see a two-party democratic system as a choice between good and evil, and that one side will always be good, and the other, evil.

Sometimes, I fear that I might fall into that trap too. It's easy to do so in Malaysia where one all-powerful party has been in power since the dawn of time (well, the dawn of independence anyway).

But the point here is to realise that there is no absolute and mutually exclusive good or evil side. The only choice we have is the right to choose what side we feel will do a better job at that point in time, with a check and balance system to keep them in their place.

And the end of the day, any progress or change, be it peaceful or otherwise, really depends on the Malaysian people. And I have faith that the Malaysian people are smart, rational and dignified.