In The Malaysian Insider:
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 — Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has been dubbed the “Father of Democratic Reforms” by Gerakan president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.
In his opening speech this morning at Gerakan’s national delegates conference, Koh said that “as the Prime Minister, Abdullah has initiated reforms for good governance and promoted commitment to integrity. As an advocate for democracy, he has opened up more space for expression to Malaysians.” [Koh dubs Pak Lah ‘Father of Democratic Reforms’. Shannon Teoh. The Malaysian Insider. October 11 2008]
I am wary of doing the same thing.
While it is during the Abdullah administration when the Malaysian society reclaims greater democratic space and effectively larger liberty stolen from it by the state, practically none of it is due to active action by Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. The greater democracy is made possible through effort of various individuals willing enough to stand up and stare back at the state when the state stares at them.
PM Abdullah has failed to reform anything. Each reform he initiated is going nowhere due to opposition from within his own party.
It took free individuals to push organic reform agendas by pushing the frontier of an illiberal state away from suffocating free individuals. To have PM Abdullah enjoying the appellation denies the real contributors who stand in the front line to contest against an arm of the state, the police which is more interested in suppressing freedom rather than fighting crime.
Having the PM as the “Father of Democratic Reforms” steals the honor from those who actually fought for greater democratic space, those that fought against the PM as well as the relentless machinery of Barisan Nasional. The victory is of individuals too many to list here and not of an ineffective personality as well as the machinery that maintains deep disdain for democratic space.
If there is anybody that deserves that honor, it should be the individuals who fought for it. We do not have a “Father of Democratic Reform”. We instead have “Fathers of Democratic Reform” and the PM is not one of them.
Dr. Koh is committing doublespeak for suggesting the sobriquet for the PM. Would we thank the Nazis for losing World War II? Would we thank PM Abdullah for losing the war in our backyard?
8 replies on “[1804] Of Koh is one of the fathers of doublespeak”
I have agree to some extend if ABB was like Dr.M, i think we would not have witnessed the tide of change happening now in M’sia. However, to dub him “Father of Democracy” is a bit too hallow, maybe “Father Of Doing Nothing” would be more appropriate.
Oh, I didn’t say AAB played no role. On the contrary, he is one of the central actor. Rather, I’m saying he did not fight for such reform: it was many others that took to the streets, the ones who persistently demanded for reforms as well as those that voted against BN.
AAB is the antagonist, not the protagonist.
Pak Lah, our “Father of Democratic Reforms†or “Father of Democratization”?
Whatever one may say about Pak Lah, I would think that ironically but for Pak Lah’s relatively “liberal” or “weak” administration, the March 8 political Tsunami and the political power transition in the few states would have possibly been that smooth and incident-free. The fact that we got the relatively small space and short time in breaking away from the ever suffocating Mahathirism during his reign by itself is something to be cherished and appreciated, especially now that we fear to death the imminent return of Mahathirism under our new PM!
At the very least, some credits ought to be given to Pak Lah, I sincerely believe.
http://veonszu.wordpress.com/2008/05/22/pak-lah-as-bapa-pendemokrasian -malaysia/
I disagree that abdullah played no role here. From the get go I have always saw abdullah as a leader that doesn’t get in the way of businesses or social issues. He actually let things unfold.
His has in my mind undue 20 years of Mahathirism. He didn’t emulate Mahathirs extravagant infrastructure spendings, Our deficit is at is lowest and business wise, up until few months ago were pretty blue.
I wouldn’t mind seeing him in office for another term compared to the extreme left or rights that we’re gonna be seing pretty soon.
Unfortunately, those in power can do many times more than individual.
PM Abdullah can pass the mandate to parliament to abolish ISA,print press act,universities act,etc. The question is, will Abdullah do it?
KTK is Katak
I don’t understand Abdullah. Doesn’t seem that he gave much thought to what sort of legacy he wanted to leave – even as his final months in office draw to a close.
KTK is like a worm – no backbones.