Malaysia 2024: The Unfinished Agenda

In the spirit of Merdeka

By Lim Teck Ghee and Murray Hunter

As the nation moves into 2024, it is necessary to remind major political players and stakeholders of the original reformasi agenda and change that has been repeatedly promised to Malaysians during the last two decades. 

The promises and espoused agenda not only remain unfulfilled in most of its important aspects. It is one in which there has been deviation, perversion and regression.

In 2007, 60 of the country’s civil society organisations banded together to issue a declaration which identified the major failings and obstacles to Malaysia’s progress and advancement towards a more developed and democratic nation 

The Spirit of Merdeka declaration asserted:

“Our mission is not only with the restoration of democratic norms and practices. It is also to reaffirm our commitment to the safeguarding and support of vital institutions and processes that are the hallmark of vibrant and flourishing democratic systems.

We call on all Malaysians to support this cause and to join us in promoting a strong democracy in which the separation of power of the executive, legislative and judiciary is maintained, and checks and balances preventing the monopoly or abuse of power by the executive branch are in place. The alternative is to see our nation and people be driven down the road of authoritarianism towards an illiberal and shackled society.”

Here is a link to the original declaration

https://www.malaysianbar.org.my/article/about-us/committees/human-rights/spirit-of-merdeka-movement-declaration-on-restoring-democracy-and-advancing-freedom-in-malaysia

Today, we call especially on fellow activists and advocates for a better Malaysia to join in reaffirmation of commitment to this declaration and to do battle in protecting and enhancing the fundamental rights and freedoms eroded by failures from both sides of the political divide during the past three elections since the declaration was released to the public.

In particular we draw attention to the following recent developments that require heightened scrutiny, and opposition to;

1 Secular state erosion: where Malaysian administration is being continually Islamized,

2 Local government: where the spirit of democracy should be restored to the nation’s third level of democratic government,

3 Continuing erosion in media freedom; where the media has yet to play its role as an institution that continually scrutinises and ensures transparency of government and governance; and where concerned public should be be watchful that media control agencies are under direct scrutiny and full public accountability

4  Diminution of rule of law; where the rule of law should be separated from the executive government so the judiciary can perform a truly independent role; and lawmakers and law enforcers are subject to the same laws and norms

5. In federalism; where the authority of various states should be upheld and respected by the federal government,  and where the implementation of the Malaysia Agreement 1963 and the rights and entitlements of Sabah and Sarawak still await fulfilment

6. Law reform; where restrictive and repressive laws including the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012, Universities and University Colleges Act, 1971, Sedition Act, 1971, Printing Presses and Publicity Act, 1984, and defamation laws remain largely unreformed, 

7. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights; which Malaysia subscribes to, and should provide that amongst other individual rights, citizens possess the rights to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of peaceful assembly, freedom of opinion, speech and expression, and equality before the law without discrimination,

9. The electoral system; where its integrity should be protected to enable free and fair elections; and where constituency redelineation is urgently needed to correct long standing electoral malapportionment and gerrymandering 

10. Commitment to multiculturalism in a multi-ethnic society; where the nation’s diversity, religions, cultures, and languages should be protected, while recognizing the position of Islam as the religion of the nation, and the special position of the Malays and other native peoples, and indigenous communities. 

Malaysia’s political parties themselves should enhance the roots of democracy at branch and party levels, where rank and file members have a direct say in who occupies both party administrative and public office candidates. With fully internalised democracy within political parties, future governments will be in a much better position to democratise Malaysian government and society.

These are the aspirations of Malaysians who want the realisation of the Malaya and Malaysia that was promised to them at Merdeka 66 years ago: and the Malaysia that is owed to the younger generation.

The ultimate ambition of this declaration is to ground the public, especially the mindsets of our politicians, with the above principles, in order that the true nation building work can no longer be delayed or denied.

Viewers of this call for renewal of the spirit of Merdeka may be concerned why major economic issues and challenges such as socio-economic inequality, growing impoverishment, shortcomings in education, falling competitiveness, civil service and GLC bloat have not been addressed here. Our belief is that sustained good government and high standards of governance  can provide the foundations for the better nation that Malaysians deserve.

Originally published in Malaysiakini 31st January 2023

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