By Datuk Dr Denison Jayasooria
Forty one people from civil society and academic
institutions gathered on May 14, 2013 to review the outcome of GE 13 and to set
a new agenda for inclusive development and national reconciliation.
In moderating the discussion, Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah,
the former Higher Education Deputy Minister called for a new social
consciousness and realisation that the people have made their choice and the
people have spoken. In this context he affirmed that there was a real need for
a new conversation.
We recognise the link between national reconciliation,
inclusive development and human rights where the focus must be that all people
irrespective of the ethnic, religious, political, socio-economic, age, gender
or geographical location must have access and equal opportunities to
prosperity, harmony, happiness and quality of life
In the course of the discussion we identified four major
themes which have a direct impact on inclusive development, human rights and
national reconciliation.
The discussion on May 21, 2013 further reviewed these
ideas and built on them. These are now tabled for the discussions on May 28,
2013 to build on add further content to these.
1. There
is a need to recognise the new socio-political realities which are changing the
landscape of Malaysian politics in the Post GE 13 context
There is a shift from traditional race -religious
politics to other social-political realities. While certain sections have
articulated the GE 13 as a ‘Chinese tsunami’, the dominant view based on voter
analysis is an ‘urban tsunami’. The ‘axes of polarization’ which moves beyond
the inter-ethnic to encompass intra-ethnic and takes the urban-rural divide,
the inter-generational divide (Merdeka generation to Generation X), the
prosperity-poverty gap of class; the tradition media oriented rural population
with the social media community of the urban must be the dominant analysis.
It was well articulated that there is a power conflict
between the state (political & bureaucratic machinery) on the one hand and
the general society including civil society on the other where there is a
demand for greater public space and accountability.
In this context there must be a shift away from over
simplification of socio-political realities from a race-religion divide and
recognise the emergence of a two-party system both with political parties
supporting an appreciation for diversity of ethnicity, religious persuasion and
cultural richness and diversity. An appreciation and acceptance of these are
essential in modern political thought in Malaysia society.
2. There
is a need to review the development paradigm towards one that that is holistic,
comprehensive and integrated.
While Malaysia has a good track record of development
planning, the priority and focus has been on economic and social development.
This has had a right impact in improving the overall quality of life shifting a
majority of Malaysians out of poverty. This improvement in the socio-economic
position has resulted in citizen’s demand for beyond basic needs toward
democracy, human rights, transparency and good governance
There is therefore an urgent need to review the
development paradigm towards one which will give equal balance to economic,
social and cultural rights on the one hand but without suppressing civil and
political rights on the other. In this context of good governance are also
environmental and sustainable concerns which must be part of the development
process and not an after-thought.
This balance approach is consistent with the nine
challenges identified in Vision 2020 as the overall development goal for
Malaysia. That vision is balance and therefore we must ensure compliance to
this vision as it is only 7 years away.
Malaysia is a signatory to a number of UN declarations
which has not been adequately recognized in the planning and implementation
process. While declarations are not legally binding like the UN conventions
nonetheless Malaysia signing them implies that we are in support of this
aspiration and vision. Therefore it must be logical for Malaysian policy makers
to be consistent with the UN aspirations which Malaysia is also a part of.
Three key documents are helpful in this context of
inclusive development. They are:
The UN Declaration on the Right to Development (1986)
The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
(2007)
The UN Rio Declaration on Environment & development
(1992)
The UN Rio + 20 Declaration “The Future we want”
Malaysia made commitments for inclusive and sustainable
development agenda along with nations of the world. Now it is important that at
the national level we apply these principles into public policy and for
effective implementation.
In addition Malaysia should also sign all the major human
rights conventions and work towards ensuring every law and program is inclusive
and in compliance with international standards and consistent with the Federal
Constitution.
Malaysia has had a very good standing in fulfilling its
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) however a similar development for a
National Human Rights Action Plan is essential over the next five years.
There is a need to undertake impact assessment and review
of data from a disaggregated analysis especially to review micro community
realities.
There is a need to focus attention on inequalities not
just across inter-ethnic lines but also intra ethnic divide. The disparities
between the top 20% and the bottom 40% are indeed wide in Malaysian society.
This must be addressed not with cash handouts but in addressing the structural
and institutional concerns which is impacting uneven growth.
3. There is a need to strengthening
inclusive & participatory development
Very often the poor and disadvantaged are seen as mere
recipients of services and cash hand-outs. There must be a rights based
approach which enhances human dignity, human rights and responsibilities.
In this context the authorities must introduce social
dialogue process and increase people’s participation in the decision making
process. A stronger consultative process must be instituted especially when
development impact the Orang Asli community and other indigenous people of
Sabah and Sarawak.
The empowerment of the grassroots and self-determination
is most essential. Consultation must be really meaningful engagement towards
“free, prior and informed consent”. This theme of consultation and
participation is fundamental to a partnership and people centered development
approach.
The Social Impact Assessment component to development is
very weak and priority is low. This must be reviewed and strengthened along
with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). In this context the terms and
conditions must be altered to ensure that it is an independent process under a
regulatory agency and not commissioned and funded by the contractors and
business parties as it is now undertaken.
In addition the Federal government must introduce local
government elections for grassroots democracy to be operations. There is
currently a lot of urban grievance, discontentment unrest and political
awakening. This is largely due to ineffective local government services which
are not accountable and responsive to ordinary people.
The current urban suffering is experienced by dwellers at
public and low cost urban high rise housing. There is much neglect of urban
public space and the flat dwellers are alienated from local governance.
Malaysia is party to the Rio Declarations (1992 and 2012)
and therefore there is a need for a review of Agenda 21 for effective
engagement with citizens and be inclusive in managing the city and urban
neighborhoods. A number of pilot projects were implemented in Malaysia with the
MBPJ (Petaling Jaya City Council) being the most effective and well known in
this implementation. This could be reviewed and expanded. Therefore, mechanisms
for people’s participation in development are most essential.
4. There
is a need for major Institutional changes which will enhance democracy and
inclusive development
Institutional transformation for inclusion and
reconciliation is most essential – twelve major aspects are highlighted.
Civil
Service
The civil service must be sensitive to the diversity of
Malaysian society and provide service which is free from ethnic, religious,
political, age, gender biases. The composition of the civil service must take
both the Constitutional balance and changing social realties especially in
urban areas.
Pubic
democratic space
The public space must be protected so as to enable open
discussions and conversations. Government agencies must institute public
discussions and open to civil society discussion. In a similar way there must
be more open discussion with young people.
The Police and authorities must adopt a more liberal
reading of the laws especially for peaceful engagement and must be seen as the
protectors of this human right without fear or favor.
Political
parties
It was proposed that there should be an end to race and
religious based political parties and the focus should be towards a more
inclusive and ideology based politics. The Barisan Nasional should seriously
restructure itself in this process.
Parliamentary
Democracy
Parliamentary reform is at the heart of this change. The
Parliament must be free from executive control and must manage its own affairs.
In this context there must be great bipartisan work among
the MPs of the political divide.
More parliamentary select committees must be established
including public funds used to establish a shadow cabinet and strengthening the
role of the opposition in parliament as an effective check and balance.
There has to be some review of the Upper house so as to
fulfil the original vision of the Senate so that it can serve as an effective
check and balance
Independent
Mediating institutions
The independence of these institutions such as MACC,
Election Commission, Suhakam, & EAIC is most critical to ensure public
confidence is high at all times. They should be accountable to Parliament. They
should not operate from Putrajaya but be closer to Parliament.
Their reports must be debated in parliament and
parliamentary select committees to review their work. The selection of these
commissioners must be free from political control and must have greater public
consultation including that with opposition leader in Parliament.
The essential task must be to ensure that these
institutions have the public trust of the general population. Their credibility
must be ensured through transparency, accountability and public engagement.
Media
Freedom
There must be greater media freedom especially editorial
freedom in traditional newspapers and electronic. This is fundamental to
democratic freedoms and transparency. Investigative and responsible journalism
must be order of the day. In this context media must be free from political
party ownership and regulated by a media council.
Public
Intellectuals
Academics must play a key role in public discussions
especially in the defense of rational and open discussion especially public
reasoning. There should be no academic
restrictions to their intellectual freedoms and in the interest of knowledge
they should be enabled to exercise it and not face academic censorship in
Institutions of Higher Learning.
Civil
Society
Civil Society must play a dynamic role. In this context
it is proposed that A Network for Inclusive Development and National
Reconciliation be established with civil society leaders & public
intellectuals to play a key role in monitoring and public policy advocacy.
Educational
System
While Malaysia has recently release the Education
Blueprint, there is a need to review it especially to enhance greater
appreciation for ethnic, religious and cultural diversity in the schools. The
calls to review the place of English and the reintroduction of English type
schools must be seriously considered. In addition the issues faced by under-
achieving is most critical
Religious
Institutions
There is an urgent need to include religious communities
in the movement for reconciliation. Religious values can enhance inclusive
development. In this context the authorities must appreciate all the religious
traditions and also institute effective mechanism to resolve difference in a
peaceful and respectful way.
Department
of National Unity & Integration
This department is very important and must be the driver
for national unity. However we feel the Federal government has not given adequate
priority to this department. The grade of the DG must be on par with EPU and
ICU as central agencies. In addition the Department must have a larger unit for
policy, mediation and harmony work. It must build a stronger network and
partnership with civil society and community groups.
The Department must play an active role in the
formulation of A National Harmony Act replacing the Sedition Act. It must
undertake a socio-economic audit by monitoring the level of harmony and address
the root causes that continue to impact inter-ethnic and intra-ethnic relations
in Malaysian society which is based on the quality of life and happiness index.
The Biro Tata Negara must be reviewed and made more
inclusive under the framework of the 1 Malaysia concept. In this context its
staffing, orientation, structure and operations must be reorganized. It could
be placed under the Department of National Unity so as to ensure consistency
for implementation with the 1Malaysia agenda in the spirit of Rukun Negara,
Vision 2020 and the Federal constitution.
Neighbourhood
Security & Community Policing
There is a need for the authorities to engage more with
local communities on neighborhood security especially in urban areas. A review
of the Rukun Tetangga, neighborhood program and the idea of gated communities
are needed especially to enhance community relations between affluent
neighborhoods and low income flats areas.
5. There
is a need to identify common issues and concerns affecting all the communities
which can serve as a template for inclusive development
An outline of 15 common cutting concerns identified in
the CPPS-ASLI book entitled Malaysian Issues & Concerns, Some Policy
Responses (2013). These common concerns were derived though a series of
conversations between Oct 8 and 11, 2012. These can serve as common
denominators that build bridges. We need monitoring teams which will ensure
The 15 concerns are presented here under three major
heading:-
Nation
Building Concerns.
Ensuring equality of citizenship (holding article 8 and
153 in balance)
Enhancing democracy and human rights
Instilling a deeper sense of patriotism and respect for
King & nation, thereby enhancing the role of Monarchy in public life
Increasing inter- religious understanding and ensuring a
shift from tolerance to appreciation
Strengthening national unity and integration agenda with
a deeper sense of celebrating diversity of cultures & languages of all
Malaysian groups without diluting the importance of the national language
Socio-Economic
Development Concerns
Addressing poverty and inequality with a focus on the
bottom 40% and intra ethnic concerns
Empowering through education and skills training
Enlarging employment opportunities
Enlarging business and economic opportunities
Addressing crime and ensuring public safety and security
Governance
Related Concerns
Recognizing youth potential and creating new measures for
engagement
Tapping the full potential of civil society and
grassroots organisations as partners in Development
Ensuring effective decentralization of local government
Fostering greater autonomy for States especially in Sabah
and Sarawak
Ensur
ing effective governance and implementation
