And the grand answer to that is: “I don’t know”. This afternoon while juggling several assignments, I began wondering about this while reminiscing about some heated arguments I’ve had with Singaporeans over the usefulness of an opposition party in parliament: what really is the use of an opposition party? You know the host of answers to these, which basically boil down to one or more of the following:-

  1. As a check and balance to Big Brother
  2. To present an alternative solution to issues
  3. To represent minority interests (huh.. if at all)
  4. To present a veneer of the democratic process…


Ok, ignore the last bit, a little uncalled-for, eh? What prompted me to think about this was something I remembered reading: if one were to vote opposition, what would one be voting for? The essential question is: what alternative would one be gunning for? What alternative policies? What alternative ways of running the country?

Because, when discussing that whole Chee Soon Juan (CSJ) fiasco, no one seemed to be asking: what are his policies? What would he do for the economy? What concrete steps will be taken, and what are the consequences?

The same damn question can be asked of opposition politicians in our country. Head to Wikipedia and look up the list of political parties in Malaysia. Or just head here. Now, if you’d like, visit all the entries, and where websites are available, visit each opposition political party’s website.

There’s the DAP website.
There’s the Keadilan website.
There’s the PAS website.

Now for each of the major opposition political party websites, the only one that pretends to give a set of ideals or principles clearly set out is the Keadilan website. We could speculate on the “why”, but as I recall, there was some hoo-haa over Keadilan’s lack of purpose. Maybe this was the reaction.

But what happened to the rest? Just what does DAP stand for? Or PAS? What solutions to our socio-economic situation, concrete solutions, do they propose? Heck, take a look at Keadilan’s core principles: all generalities, but nothing concrete.

2. To promote respect for the system of Constitutional Monarchy, strengthen Parliamentary Democracy and support the rights and power of the people, whilst endeavouring always to improve the nation’s political framework in line with the wishes and interests of the people.

3. To establish and promote the rule of just law, an independent mass media and judiciary, and institutions for security that uphold principles of professionalism.

4. To guarantee freedom of conscience, speech, movement, public assembly and association for all.

Yes, but what are your proposals?

You and I could be fighting for justice and freedom of expression, but both of us could have vastly different policies toward that end. Now imagine if you or I are political parties: if we really did know what we wanted for Malaysia, Malaysians would know what they would be standing for if they voted for either of us. But now? Now I don’t even know what all these opposition parties seem to be saying.

All have vague statements about fighting for justice, freedom and such, all in opposition to the incumbent’s practices. They have let BN define their purpose. Do you understand what I’m saying? It’s like when a person pisses you off: you have just allowed that person to control your emotions, controlled your reaction. That’s what it all is: reactionary.

Vague generalities and nothing concrete. Why is this? Click on DAP’s “The 3rd Vote” link, and you see a long essay-ish something extolling the virtues of democracy — yes, well and good, but what specific policy changes would you enact, or what Bills would you like passed through Parliament, for example, to further that vision?

The whole thing smells like an opposition party appealing to the rakyat to vote them in as an stop-gap measure, and not a full fledged party ready to take on the reigns of government. What confidence can this inspire?

Is this asking too much? Am I being unrealistic? Well, how else are you going to counter the argument that opposition parties don’t have the requisite experience to run any damn thing? Because you and I just know that’s what BN’s going to toss in the collective faces of opposition politicians.

The next most important question that arises, to my mind, is this: what can we do to help concretize these aspirations?