Opinion: A bridge too far for Hadi Awang
14 Mar 2023
Maclean Patrick
Commenting from a Borneon perspective.
Image Credit: TheStar
When Abdul Hadi Awang proclaimed that due to Malaysia's democratic system, no one had the right to stop PN's attempt at toppling the government of the day; he showed himself as truly mad and unschooled in the principles of democracy.
Malaysia practices Representative Democracy, where the people elect representatives to speak on their behalf at the highest halls of administration. This is the means upon which people like Hadi Awang have the mandate to stand in the halo [kt remarks: should be 'hallowed'] halls of Malaysian parliament. We also practice Constitutional Democracy that limits the power of government and allows for protection for people's freedom and rights. Another form of democracy - Direct Democracy; can be seen in action whether in the form of referendums or a Presidential Election; this form may be limited in the context of Malaysia.
For Hadi Awang to say that "no one had the right" is fundamentally wrong.
We all have the right to defend the government of the day, as much as he has the right (and the gall) to topple it. Because PN's effort of toppling the government of the day means they are going against the will of the people and especially the will of His Majesty The Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
And for this very matter, the idea that any one group can topple an elected government outside of democratic elections is wrong and should be frown upon; since it goes against the whole concept of democracy.
Governmental change should be through the ballot box and through free and fair elections. The results should be accepted and all parties should then look ahead to governing till the next cycle of elections come about, in Malaysia's case - every 5 years. What has been happening to Malaysia these past 4 years is a desecration of the democratic practice.
Political maneuvering such as the "Sheraton Move" is wrong because it totally negates the will of the people who participated in the democratic practice.
Yet, instead of the practice being frown upon; it has instead been normalised by this politicians such as the likes of Hadi Awang. His idea of changing government is no different from a coup. A take-over that spits into the face of every legitimate voter who exercises their right to choose government. A stomping of the will of the people. This is a bridge too far for even the likes of Hadi Awang.
Hadi Awang is a threat to the country. His rhetoric is akin to a power hungry madman, who is only interested in the feel of power but not the responsibility that comes with such authority.
So it is much welcome news, as reported by Bernama; that the Bukit Aman's Classified Crime Investigation Unit is investigating Hadi Awang. Sentul district police chief ACP Beh Eng Lai was reported as saying that police had received reports lodged by Amanah and Selangor PKR youth at the Dang Wangi police headquarters.
Swift and firm action is needed in order to restore the faith of the people towards the practice of democracy.
Stop this madness that government can be so easily changed every 20 months or so. Stop the power-grabbing madness and start governing a nation that so needs to recover and move forward.
When Abdul Hadi Awang proclaimed that due to Malaysia's democratic system, no one had the right to stop PN's attempt at toppling the government of the day; he showed himself as truly mad and unschooled in the principles of democracy.
Malaysia practices Representative Democracy, where the people elect representatives to speak on their behalf at the highest halls of administration. This is the means upon which people like Hadi Awang have the mandate to stand in the halo [kt remarks: should be 'hallowed'] halls of Malaysian parliament. We also practice Constitutional Democracy that limits the power of government and allows for protection for people's freedom and rights. Another form of democracy - Direct Democracy; can be seen in action whether in the form of referendums or a Presidential Election; this form may be limited in the context of Malaysia.
For Hadi Awang to say that "no one had the right" is fundamentally wrong.
We all have the right to defend the government of the day, as much as he has the right (and the gall) to topple it. Because PN's effort of toppling the government of the day means they are going against the will of the people and especially the will of His Majesty The Yang di-Pertuan Agong.
And for this very matter, the idea that any one group can topple an elected government outside of democratic elections is wrong and should be frown upon; since it goes against the whole concept of democracy.
Governmental change should be through the ballot box and through free and fair elections. The results should be accepted and all parties should then look ahead to governing till the next cycle of elections come about, in Malaysia's case - every 5 years. What has been happening to Malaysia these past 4 years is a desecration of the democratic practice.
Political maneuvering such as the "Sheraton Move" is wrong because it totally negates the will of the people who participated in the democratic practice.
Yet, instead of the practice being frown upon; it has instead been normalised by this politicians such as the likes of Hadi Awang. His idea of changing government is no different from a coup. A take-over that spits into the face of every legitimate voter who exercises their right to choose government. A stomping of the will of the people. This is a bridge too far for even the likes of Hadi Awang.
Hadi Awang is a threat to the country. His rhetoric is akin to a power hungry madman, who is only interested in the feel of power but not the responsibility that comes with such authority.
So it is much welcome news, as reported by Bernama; that the Bukit Aman's Classified Crime Investigation Unit is investigating Hadi Awang. Sentul district police chief ACP Beh Eng Lai was reported as saying that police had received reports lodged by Amanah and Selangor PKR youth at the Dang Wangi police headquarters.
Swift and firm action is needed in order to restore the faith of the people towards the practice of democracy.
Stop this madness that government can be so easily changed every 20 months or so. Stop the power-grabbing madness and start governing a nation that so needs to recover and move forward.
Maclean Patrick is a content creator under the Newswav Creator programme, where you get to express yourself, be a citizen journalist, and at the same time monetize your content & reach millions of users on Newswav. Log in to creator.newswav.com and become a Newswav Creator now!
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