Moreover, for the proponents of democracy, the 12th general election marked not only the beginning of a decline in Barisan Nasional’s hegemony in Malaysian politics but also the beginning of a two-party system that was supposed to consolidate democracy in Malaysia. It is nonetheless not an exaggeration to say that for the past two years, democracy has been misunderstood and abused by politicians on both sides of the divide. It is ironic that democratic recession in the country is not given due space in both the dominant political discourse that is espoused by the mainstream media, and the so-called new media that is sympathetic to the Opposition.

I have to make a few clarifications at the outset so as not to be accused of oversimplification. I am not suggesting that prior to the 12th general election, democracy had been consolidated in Malaysia. Rather, subsequent events after the election have made democratic consolidation in Malaysia an uphill battle. This is partly due to the behaviour of the political elites themselves.

Let me clarify my argument. When Pakatan Rakyat made significant gains in parliament and formed the state government in Kedah, Penang, Perak, Kelantan and Selangor, its supremo Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was overjoyed and began an unsuccessful political manoeuvre to lure BN parliamentarians to cross over so as to enable him to take control of the federal government.

While some BN politicians had condemned Anwar’s move, they were complicit in condoning the crossover by Pakatan’s state assemblymen in Perak. The decision made by three PR state assemblymen to cross over in Perak toppled the state government and triggered a series of constitutional and political crises. The manner in which the Perak crisis was handled by the former mentri besar and PR leaders, however, left much to be desired. While the Federal Court had made its pronouncement in affirming Datuk Seri Dr

Zambry Abdul Kadir’s position as the rightful MB, the outcome of this whole episode had bruised the sanctity of crucial democratic institutions such as the monarchy and the judiciary. The refusal by PR leaders to accept the decision of the apex court indicated their inability to accept the rule of law. Surely this is not good for democracy.

The behaviour of political elites is crucial in sending the right signal to the masses. Politicians on both sides of the divide have failed miserably on this score. Take the MCA politicians for example. The intra-party leadership crisis indicates that the elites are much more concerned about securing positions for themselves rather than fighting for idealism. Politics without idealism will degenerate into an insatiable lust for power. Idealism does not hold the parties in Pakatan Rakyat together, political expediency does.

BN component parties are also not held together by idealism. It is pragmatism and moderation that bonded them together. While it is in the nature of politicians to discredit their

opponents, idealism has the potential to turn them into principled politicians. Our political elites are, more often than not, motivated only by short-term political gain rather than idealism. The post 12th general election political scenario is marked by political elites using democratic institutions for personal gain. Various democratic institutions such as the MACC, Suhakam, the judiciary, and the civil service have all come under attack. If the picture that is painted by opposition politicians were to be taken as an indicator of how things are in the country, Malaysia can be lumped into the category of a failing state.

This is not to say that all is not well. The government of the day and particularly the political elites should be on a confidence-building mode. In an emerging democracy like ours, trust in political institution is crucial if democracy is to consolidate. In the social and political world, it is trust that glues the people together and oils the wheels of democracy. When the political elites behave badly, they send the wrong signal to the masses. We should not tolerate injustice, but where are we supposed to seek redress if we are constantly told that the justice system is biased? And if the Royal Commission that was set up to investigate judicial misconduct has no credibility, what is our next course of action?

It is therefore crucial for political elites on both sides of the political divide to transcend minor partisan interests and stand up for idealism. Even though ideological incompatibility can in some instances impede political consensus, everyone agrees that good governance, clean and efficient administration should be an end in itself regardless of one political outlook. Today, cynicism has crept into the political realm, and until the political elites can regain the trust of the citizens, democratic consolidation will remain elusive.

Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Farouk is a senior lecturer and chairman of the Political Science Section, School of Social Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com .