GEORGE TOWN: Politics in Malaysia has taken a turn for the worst now compared to the last decade, said a state Gerakan leader.
Malaysians have generally entered a phase where hatred reigns over rational thinking or national unity, according to Penang Gerakan vice-chairman Wong Mun Hoe.
And he blames DAP for encouraging such hatred by instigating people to disrespect their political rivals through the distortion of facts and by adopting partisanship at all times.
“DAP is forcing people to take sides. They want partisan politics to be the order of the day. This is unhealthy in a country as diverse as Malaysia where different races and religions or value systems are trying to co-exist,” he said.
Wong said that one cannot practise politics of “either you are with us or against us” and must understand that some people (fence-sitters) take a longer time to decide and some may not want to decide at all.
Essentially, he added, politics in Malaysia should be about nation building and uniting the people, not the opposite of fueling hatred at every corner.
Unity is democracy at its best and its roots can only be strengthened if everyone learns to respect each other’s opinion and ways in a constructive way, Wong said.
He added that politicking is essentially about furthering one’s own causes and beliefs but not to an extend of imposing one’s belief on others.
If one wants to impose things then it is tantamount to becoming a dictator or advocating communism, he stressed.
“Real support comes freely from those who accept it. Those who are forced to accept it, would only do so insincerely,” he pointed out.
Wong said that people should regard politics as a difference of opinions but must also be matured to accept a diverse range of opinions and approaches.
With the general election listed as just weeks away, he said the capacity of the people to think rationally should hold sway over those who are overly emotional.
He expected the silent majority, those who practise the Asian values of appreciation and mutual respect to hold sway over online users who post crude and rude comments just because they have a different opinion.
Wong said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng must also learn to be more statesman-like in view of his position and the stature he enjoys in society here.
“Lim has a tendency to play the politics of hatred at every instance. He must realise there is a time and day for politics and there is also time for administrating,” added the Gerakan leader.
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