In an ideal world, the Dewan Negara would serve to strengthen division of powers in Malaysia. It is supposed to represent the interest of member states of the Malaysian federation. In the world we live in, such idealism is as mythical as a unicorn. If being a glorified rubber-stamp is not insulting enough to the idea of federalism, the upper house functions as Santa Claus’ sack, with the prime minister as Santa. Every time he reaches in to reward his political allies, the farther the myth of federalism floats beyond memory.
Yes, this refers to the recent appointment of four new senators to the Dewan Negara.
Put aside the issue of appointment as political reward for a moment. Put aside even questions regarding the capabilities of these new senators.
Consider what the appointment does to power of the 13 member states vis-Ã -vis the federal government, which for years appeared to be more of a central government for a unitary state than that of a federal one. Each time the prime minister plays the role of a generous political master, the 13 member states lose their rightful influence to shape the course of this country.
The line where the Dewan Negara begins to stop functioning as protector of state interest has long been crossed. What else is there to say when the number of senators speaking on behalf of the federal government is nearly double that of those who truly represent their states?
For federalists, a discussion on capabilities of these senators is a worthless exercise to have. For them, the Dewan Negara is dead. It is dead as a symbol of federalism and it is dead as the protector of federalism.
Life can only be injected into it by relieving the prime minister of power to advise the Agong with respect to the appointment of senators, as well as convincing the Agong and relevant institutions to give up the power to appoint senators. Without such power, there is one fewer avenue for the federal government to bully the states.
Efforts to convince the rulers to give up the power might not be as hard as it sounds. After all, it is in their best interest to have a functioning Dewan Negara, where the interests of each state can be properly forwarded without being beholden to the federal government. With greater say within the federation, member states will attain prestige. That prestige will come in the form of a more balanced relationship between the states and the federal government.
Without such power, the Dewan Negara, again, is dead. One buries the dead.
Yet, the institution and its senators walk aimlessly and pretend to debate matters of national importance with nauseating pomposity, as if their debates and votes matter. At times, these senators even have the audacity to request for more public money in the name of serving the people. The dead cannot serve the people.
Either empower the Dewan Negara, or be done with it altogether. Rather than let the dead walks to consume precious public funds the living need, it is better to let the dead be dead.
Federalists would mourn the demise of the upper house. Know however, that to mourn once is far less painful for federalists than to suffer mockery all the time.
First published in The Malaysian Insider on April 30 2010.
