A right delayed is a right denied.
– Martin Luther King, Jr., American civil rights leader
A matured citizenry has every right to question the status quo when interrogating reality that doesn’t seem or smell right. There is a bundle of rights called “fundamental liberties” in the Federal Constitution.
Are liberties stronger than rights? In the context of a democratic society, liberties and rights are fundamental protections afforded to individuals.
Civil liberties are freedoms from government interference, such as freedom of speech and religion, while civil rights are protections against discrimination and ensure equal treatment under the law.
These concepts are intertwined, with civil liberties forming the foundation for individual freedoms and civil rights aiming to address systemic inequalities. But Malaysia defies this utopian ideal.
There is a gargantuan mismatch between equality and equity that assails societal equanimity like it has a lifeforce of its own immune from containment or prevention. That cult is typically Malaysian.
The cult of political constipation is usually matched by bouts of verbal diarrhoea. It becomes serious but laughable talking points. Globally, politicians charged with such conduct claim they were misquoted!
We have politicians spewing advice like a nutritionist offering health tips while gobbling nasi lemak on a treadmill. We have some ministries who are constantly offering do-nothing burgers.
Rights and fundamental liberties gasp for relevance in many political societies. For example, is the Judiciary emboldened to take on public interest litigation destined to agitate the Executive?
Malaysian citizens have come of age. With brutal honesty and surgical precision podcasters and netizens are interrogating reality like never before. Print media has lost its relevance.
Malaysian society has really burdened the illusory premises and promises of a limping government. Political Houdinis are easily caught in their web of deception and skullduggery.
Pliant, complacent and genuflecting law enforcement agencies add to the venom of nothing-burgers. The poison of power and authority are insurmountable. The rule of law does not have a ghost of a chance.
Malaysians have arrived. “I never lose, I either win or learn” must egg them on as Nelson Mandela instructed South Africans after 27 years of incarceration.
But when society is incarcerated in a democratic system of government, there is no known respite or release, nay not even a prison break. “Man is condemned to be free yet everywhere is in chains,” chimed Jean Paul Sartre.
The recent “Turun Anwar” rally did not scream victory according to pundits and observers who are usually busy reading tea leaves. If irony had a face PMX should have attended the rally. After all, he didn’t object to the permit to rally.
Malaysians are at the crossroads every year when calls for reforms and promises are carelessly ignored or tossed aside. Instead, some politicians pontificate like Moses descending from Mount Audacity.
The public must continue interrogating reality as a new norm. Four hours a day ought to be enough with 16 hours left for other activities. That is if government of and by the people is practical and meaningful.
According to statistics, almost 2 million Malaysians have stopped interrogating reality by emigrating to greener pastures. Some, like me, have returned to help detonate the illusion.
We must ask why the Madani government is not energised or encouraged to come up with much-needed constitutional amendments especially with its temporary two-thirds majority in Parliament.
The only logical answer seems to point at the reality that the Federal Constitution albeit the supreme law of the land is not effective compared to political dare devil pranks and antics at the expense of the public.
Our economy is shaky as is our perennially weak education system that needs a major shake-up. Nothing-burgers delivered on time as usual. No change, no reform anywhere in sight.
Why are royal commissions of inquiry and the NGOs regimen rendered inconsequential? It’s doubtful if the Elimination of the Deep State Act 2025 will end this impasse.
Interrogating the reality of unanswered custodial deaths, DNAA incidents, royal addendums, inefficient prosecutions, and Executive immunity must become a fulltime diurnal occupation of concerned citizens.
The constant bee-in-the-bonnet factor will certainly force the government to spill the beans while calculating missteps and causing mistakes as is its ilk. We should be practical and do the impossible, as Che Guevera advised.
Protest marches and rallies have recorded tremendous successes in the past where reform and change became the norm. That spirit of inquiry and interrogation must never be silenced or quelled.
Rights without actionable responsibilities seem to be a recurring nightmare. The nine fundamental liberties in the Federal Constitution do not mention activating rights with responsibilities.
This is one crucial constitutional amendment that ought to be demanded, promulgated by Parliament, implemented and enforced if democracy has any standing at all.
The reality of secularism satisfies both limbs of rights and responsibilities. This is one vitally important part of the Federal Constitution that has withstood the tests, trials and tribulations of our society.
The nagging question is whether younger politicians will be able to carve out a permanent niche for respect, decency and dignity for all Malaysians. This is not a tall order but a foundational principle of good governance.
Youth are the architects of tomorrow’s world and that dreams are the fuel that powers their journey.
Truth be told, trusting a failing or failed government is like issuing a post-dated cheque cashable at a failed bank.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at chiefjudge@secamtektektribe.org.
