Aliran Monthly NOW

40 Pages·2017·1.11 MB·English

COVER STORY
One Year Later -
The September Of The Patriarch
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Aliran Monthly September 1999: 19(8) Page 2
C O N T E N T S
COVER STORY
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Aliran Monthly September 1999: 19(8) Page 3
One Year Later :
The September Of The Patriarch
by Dr Maznah Mohamad
AAAAA year ago when Anwar ment, a regime or a way of life. A year zling land peopled with high achiev-
Ibrahim decided to be is not a long period for history to take ers and record breakers.
sacked, he thought that by its course. A year is a drop in the
Still Waiting
refusing to resign, he was ocean of time as far as bringing about
For The Right Time
giving up a comfortable pension and a cultural revolution is concerned. Yet
a chance to escape the distasteful the year which went by was a year For the whole of the turbulent previ-
charge of committing "unnatural that will be etched in this country's ous year , scores of people continue to
acts". At worst, he was to be deprived history as one of its most enervating, remain fixated with Mahathir's fix-
of his human rights and civil liberties. and ironically also its most energiz- it-all formula. One and a half years
Little did he know that he was also ing. For a year, we have seen great ago, and a few months after the start
gambling with his life. Such is how rumblings from underneath the of the Asian economic crisis there was
grim politics has turned out to be and pavement yet the edifice of authori- already anticipation that the general
such is how heavy a price political tarian power has withstood the election was going to be held soon. Till
dissent has been made to pay in this shocks and aftershocks of people date this has not occurred. Why? If
country. power, so far. the Mahathir government is waiting
for the right time to do so why has not
As each day passes, the prospect of As soon as Anwar was sacked, the the right time emerged? The truth is ,
knowing the truth about Anwar's ac- nature of Mahathir's 18-year rule be- the much sought-after Barisan
tual condition seems more and more gan to be unraveled. Many people Nasional's formula of a combined
remote. used to know Mahathir as the non- prospering economy with wide-
conformist who never failed in the spread political unanimity, fusing at
During the past year, the mainstream risks he took at tiding over one con- the same time and all attributed to the
media has shown no signs of letting troversial episode to another, from hands of Mahathir have not come
up. The lies and distortions have be- one political dare to another. One about. Never mind if half of Malaysia
come even more obnoxious , even would say that he was always getting is determined to cling on to vestiges
more awkward. The greater the sense away with murder. of the old world, the other half is wait-
of denial that newspapers and televi- ing anxiously to give its mandate to a
sion news show, the more fatuous Mahathir's control of almost every- leadership for a better future.
they read and sound. One would thing from judges to jailers have left
Shocking Labels
hope that aside from diehard large sections of society too over-
Mahathir-idolaters and Anwar-hat- whelmed to even contemplate meek Callous, Machiavellian, shrewd,
ers (these two are mutually inclusive), questioning. They have been fed with scheming, high of hubris and low on
only the most dim-witted would still slick images of modernity, gleaming tolerance. Some people say that these
fall prey to the media's mendacious- skyscrapers and pappy advertise- are qualities akin to Mahathir's. Even
ness. ments on television of idyllic bour- more intriguing are some of the shock-
geois children espousing their plastic ing labels given to him, during the
A Most Enervating
philosophy about the good life. Fur- spate of just one year. An internet
And Energizing Year
ther, guileless youths taking up the website has chastised him "Maha-
A year is not a long time to hope for Mahathir clarion-call for conquests firaun", or the great pharaoh. A re-
drastic changes to occur, at least not have fashioned the man into a sup- cent New York Times article has called
when it comes to changing a govern- posedly unassailable pilot of a daz- him a "tinpot tyrant". One of Malay-
The choice of Anwar as the Alternative Front's leader if it wins the
election is a blow to Mahathir and a black-eye to the Barisan Nasional
Aliran Monthly September 1999: 19(8) Page 4
sia's literary laureates has popular- Mahathirs (and the Lee Kuan Yews), minister would have killed two birds
ised the use of a Malay swear word economics is always the end and eve- with one stone.
that has the abbreviation, P.M.. So rything and anything seems to be Anwar : The Most
far Mahathir has displayed little their means. They might have made
Thinkable Alternative
sense of being mortified by the pros- their contributions to Asia's revolu-
pect of being remembered in history tion of rising material expectations As the most credible choice to be prime
as the bearer of such colourful but off- but beyond that they should not be minister Anwar would be more ac-
putting labels. expected to contribute much else. The ceptable to larger sections of the
Mahathirs are mired in their time- Malaysian community. As a media-
The opposition has claimed that warped framework of an amoral ser- tor with sound Islamic credentials he
Mahathir's 18 years of rule have been vitude to the gods of greed, conquest would be able to moderate on the is-
tainted by numerous financial scan- and control. In trying to stand tall sue of the "Islamic State" without giv-
dals and even some politically-linked among their more powerful oppres- ing in unfairly to one side at the ex-
killings, almost all remaining un- sors from the west, Mahathir has pense of the other. Truly, that's the
solved till today. They say that his 18- stood on a box to come up to the height best that we can expect in a function-
year rule has also been inscribed by a of his foes. Why bother at all? Strange ing democracy where all views, ma-
tightened grip over the judiciary, un- that one should put down the "enemy" jority and minority would have to be
fettered manipulation of the media by trying to look more and more like fairly heard. The present leaders
and boundless hold on a servile civil it and using artificial contraptions at within Barisan Nasional never
service. Essential qualities in a leader that! proved themselves capable of rising
for people who are desperate to el- to this level and capacity. In fact there
A Blow For A Blow
evate their self-esteem (read egos) are circulating rumours to suggest
through a powerful icon? That he Exactly a year after Anwar Ibrahim that some UMNO personalities are
happened to be iconoclastic would was arrested and delivered a black- even surreptitiously plotting under
make his stature even more appeal- eye, the opposition coalition has cover to stage their own coup against
ing. proved its mettle by recognising its Mahathir. If true it can only be seen
most potent unity symbol ever. When as yet another cowardly act to affect
Time To Shed Strong
the Alternative Front announced that political processes through subter-
Leadership Syndrome
it had chosen Anwar Ibrahim to lead fuge, deceit and duplicity. "Our Way",
The time has come for people to shed the country if it should get elected, perhaps?
this need for a strong-leadership syn- that must have been a blow to
A Clear Choice
drome and move on to a new phase Mahathir, and a black-eye to his
In The Next Election
in the country's history. The fact of Barisan Nasional retinue for failing,
the matter is that, from the Philippine during an entire year, to quash the Having said all that, provided that the
of the Marcos-days to the Indonesia rising tide that would be rejecting present regime will not be taking even
of the Suharto-days a strong leader- their rule. more extreme measures to protect
ship has only wreaked social havoc their power and wealth, we should be
in one way or another. A strong lead- The announcement of Anwar confident that Malaysians can look
ership does not necessarily protect Ibrahim as leader for the Alternative forward to a new Malaysia.
public goods. A strong leadership is Front would have solved the two nee-
not defenseless against the tempta- dling issues haunting the four politi- Ultimately, the Barisan Nasional's
tions of corruption and material cal parties. Before this there was a campaign is not about winning an
profiteering. Worse, a strong leader- stalemate over the selection of a le- election. It's about a massive exer-
ship could not even be persuaded to gitimate leader, acceptable to Mus- cise at abetting a small clique's ef-
be morally answerable to simple vir- lims, non-Muslims, business leaders, fort to wipe out its record of wrong-
tues such as honesty and compassion. liberals, social democrats and human doings and conceal its long list of
rights advocates alike. The other is- the abuses of power. As the
Strong leaders have employed every- sue was on the setting up of the Is- Mahathir regime approaches the
thing within their midst, both legal lamic State which would not go well September of its years the choice for
and extra-legal to see that their ends with some quarters. The choice of the rest of us at the ballot box
justify their means. In the Asia of the Anwar Ibrahim as possible prime should be clearer by now.
Aliran Monthly September 1999: 19(8) Page 5
COVER STORY
Leadership And
The Barisan Alternatif
Integrity, ability, dedication and courage, apart from knowledge and vision,
would be among the principal attributes of our collective leadership.
TTTTT he Malaysian people are A collective leadership will also re- Of course, the Barisan Alternatif re-
very much aware of the flect the underlying values of demo- alises that even if it wins the coming
importance of a capable cratic governance. In a democracy, General Election, Anwar cannot as-
and honest leadership in power is shared and authority is de- sume the Prime Ministership imme-
bringing about political change. This rived from popular consent. Only diately, given his six year jail sentence
is why they want to know what sort when a leadership operates on the that began in April 1999. While up-
of leadership the Barisan Alternatif basis of consultation and consensus holding the rule of law and protect-
will provide. would it embody the spirit of demo- ing the sanctity of the judicial proc-
cratic rule. A collective leadership ess, the Barisan Alternatif will ensure
The Barisan Alternatif seeks to de- rather than a single dominant, pow- that justice is done to Anwar. Towards
velop a collective leadership. The col- erful leader is, for that reason, more this end, a judicial inquiry will be held
lective leadership we envisage will be in accord with democratic principles. into the political conspiracy which
drawn mainly from the four political has led to Anwar's imprisonment.
parties that constitute the Barisan Within this framework of collective, Once justice is delivered, he will be
Alternatif and other parties, espe- democratic leadership, the Barisan able to lead the nation, God willing.
cially from Sabah and Sarawak, Alternatif proposes as its candidate
linked directly or indirectly to the for Prime Ministership, Dato' Seri As an immediate step however, the
Alternatif. It will also include indi- Anwar Ibrahim. Dato' Seri Anwar Barisan Alternatif, if it comes to
viduals without any party affiliation not only possesses outstanding power, will, in accordance with the
- from academia, the professions, the qualities of leadership but also has Malaysian Constitution, endorse as
public services, religious bodies, busi- vast experience in government Prime Minister anyone from its ranks
ness, labour and the NGO movement having served in various cabinet who commands the support of the
- who can contribute effectively to the positions for more than a decade. majority of the members of the Dewan
creation of a just Malaysian society. He was, besides, the Deputy Prime Rakyat. The interim Prime Minister
Minister from 1993 to 1998 and was will pave the way for the emergence
Integrity, ability, dedication and cour- even acting Prime Minister for a of a collective leadership committed
age, apart from knowledge and vi- while. to justice for all Malaysians.
sion, would be among the principal
attributes of our collective leadership.
It will be a truly national leadership
YYYYYBBBBB DDDDDaaaaatttttooooo''''' FFFFFaaaaadddddzzzzziiiiilllll MMMMMooooohhhhhddddd..... NNNNNoooooooooorrrrr,,,,, YYYYYBBBBB LLLLLiiiiimmmmm KKKKKiiiiittttt SSSSSiiiiiaaaaannnnnggggg,,,,,
incorporating elements from the dif-
President Secretary-General
ferent states that make up the Parti Islam SeMalaysia (PAS) Parti Tindakan Demokratik (DAP)
Malaysian Federation. While there
will be a Malay core, reflecting histori-
cal realities, our collective leadership
DDDDDrrrrr..... SSSSSyyyyyeeeeeddddd HHHHHuuuuusssssiiiiinnnnn AAAAAllllliiiii,,,,, DDDDDrrrrr..... CCCCChhhhhaaaaannnnndddddrrrrraaaaa MMMMMuuuuuzzzzzaaaaaffffffffffaaaaarrrrr,,,,,
will be genuinely multi-ethnic, both
President Deputy President
in terms of its composition and its ori- Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) Parti Keadilan Nasional (keADILan)
entation.
20 September 1999
Aliran Monthly September 1999: 19(8) Page 6
COVER STORY
ass) -- has laid bare an unsavoury private citizen, including freedom
tale of trickery, deception and in- of expression, association and as-
L e s t
trigue in the highest places. sembly and fair trial before an in-
dependent judiciary. But, as the
W e Nor can we forget its culmination trial and associated events have
with his being found guilty (tech- made only too clear, the State is able
nically) of corruption, for which the to circumvent these safeguards and
F o r g e t price was six years in jail plus plus. blatantly ignore them. The issue,
It has reminded us of the lurid con- therefore, is no more or less than one
fessions of some of his friends and of basic human rights, the rights
associations and their subsequent and liberties of the individual sub-
retractions -- although these too ject.
by D J Muzaffar Tate
were apparently irrelevant to the
processes of justice. All these Yet we are in danger of forgetting
he news that he was suf- things scorched our memories as we these fundamentals. This, though,
TTTTT
fering from arsenic poi- listened to the tale of alleged arsenic is hardly surprising, since for over
soning was a great shock poisoning, the latest development the past twelve months the party in
but unfortunately not al- in his long drawn-out saga. power in this country has gone over-
together a great surprise. However, board in its attempts to persuade
Not Only His Future
it was also a timely reminder of us to forget. It has used all the ma-
But Ours Too
what his case is really all about, chinery of government at its dis-
something which we have been in It is a timely reminder because it posal and has employed every trick
real danger of forgetting. brings forcefully home to us once of the trade to achieve this end. We
again that it is not only his future have been threatened, cajoled and
It has brought back in focus the cen- which is at stake but also ours. It is bullied, and offered bribes and
tral figure of the drama which has a question not of the Rule of Law, blandishments.
convulsed our lives over the past which demands that no man be
Ocean Of Official
twelve months. It has reawoken the greater than the law, but of Rule by
Propaganda
bitter memories of that night almost Law, where the law becomes an in-
exactly a year ago when he was ar- strument used by those in power for The national media (which, by the
rested, commando-style, in his own their own particular ends. Regard- way, actually belongs to us since
home, taken to Bukit Aman to be less of his former status and posi- we pay for it through our licences)
beaten up and abandoned without tion, he is now an ordinary citizen, has been shamelessly used by the
proper medical attention for several like the rest of us, pitted against the ruling party to bombard us with
days, leaving the legacy of the naked might of the State. slanted information, loaded half
bruise for all the world to see a cou- truths and specious arguments
ple of weeks later. It has revived Such things are not supposed to through the regular news bulletins,
the images of his first trial, which happen in a democratic country. In and by a detail of ruling party
to the layman's untutored eye -- fact our Constitution contains vari- hacks, establishment-conscious
though apparently not to that of the ous provisions for the protection academics and self-seeking intellec-
presiding judge (but the law is an and maintenance of the rights of the tuals. Black becomes white and
We have been threatened, cajoled and bullied, and offered bribes
and blandishments.
Aliran Monthly September 1999: 19(8) Page 7
white becomes black. It is not pa- ing circuit at Sepang and some of rights in exchange for stability and
triotic to criticise the ruling party, the poshest golf-courses in the economic progress, as if human
but it is to criticise the Opposition. world. rights were something that was di-
A peaceful demonstration becomes visible. But human rights are not
a riot (with a little help from your But the master card for the powers divisible. If basic civil rights mean
friends). A fair trial, in case you did that be has been the economy. We little to a starving man, life for a
not know, is one where the defence have defied the world, we have prosperous one without the per-
holds the best lawyers in town, so done our own thing, we have sonal freedom of a democratic so-
that whether the judge is straight thwarted the crafty foreigner and ciety is equally as meaningless. No,
or crooked or whether he has the his attempts to recolonise us. And Your Honour, we need both if we
last word is totally irrelevant. Na- now we are well on the road to re- really want to make life worth-
tional unity is endangered and covery. But, so, incidentally, are while. That is why we cannot for-
there will be mayhem and murder some other Asian countries which get the case of Dato Seri Anwar
if the Opposition wins, so we are did not take our good Doctor's Ibrahim.
told by those politicians in power medicine, and a good number of
whose very own actions have cre- them at a faster rate than us. Nevertheless, there remains the
ated the crisis and undermined our very grave danger that despite all
unity. Nevertheless, our minds have been the glaringly obvious signs that our
taken off uncomfortable issues as basic political rights and freedoms
Bread and Circuses we marvel at our achievements. as citizens are at stake, many peo-
On the other hand, select groups of But, take note: at the same time -- ple will still be taken for a ride by
people -- to their natural and just with the notable exception of our the ocean of official propaganda
delight -- have suddenly found boss who for reasons of State felt which inundates us. This especially
themselves the recipients of bonuses compelled to vilify our clearly un- applies to those who do not have
or delayed allowances while yet well, if not poisoned friend in access to alternative points of view,
others have seen their pay packets prison while the charges against whether through the internet (awas -
doubled. All power to their elbow, him had yet to be proved in court - - use with caution) or through in-
but where does the money come - no attempt has ever been made by dependent publications such as
from? Not to worry -- Malaysia Boleh! any member of the ruling caste to Harakah, Ekslusif or Aliran -- which
Moreover, in a crowded year or so face up to and address the real is- means in effect the great bulk of our
we have climbed the higest moun- sue raised by the whole affair, that population.
tain, sailed solo around the world, is the perversion of basic human,
done bungee jumps over the North democratic rights. We must spread the word as widely
Pole -- all honour and praise to the as possible and explain clearly
We Want
gallant performers; but could they what are the issues at stake. We
Civil Liberties And
have done it without the cash? must be prepared to stand up for
Development
our rights as citizens if we wish to
And if you need a hand-out, attend Very recently a leading member of have a future for our children which
a ruling party rally -- free bussing, our legal fraternity suggested that is not overshadowed by an en-
free food, and free umbrellas. In the people of Malaysia had tacitly trenched oligarchy which arrogates
fact, it has been all bread and cir- accepted a curtailment (if only for all power to itself. Let us never for-
cuses: - Bukit Jalil and the Common- the time being) of their political get that. 
wealth Games; the KLIA and Putra
Jaya (don't forget the palace which We must be prepared to stand up for our
the poisoned one schemed to make rights as citizens if we wish to have a future
his own); the Twin Towers and all
for our children
that; the new Grand Prix motor-rac-
Aliran Monthly September 1999: 19(8) Page 8
ELECTIONS
1848 organizations have endorsed as of 16 September 1999
S e v e n t e e n - P o i n t
Election Demands Of
Chinese Organisations
We are very concerned about corruption, deviations in the implementation
of government policies, lack of accountability and transparency, bias of
the media, all of which have aroused public concern.
Preamble and teachers. We hardly need to Race Relations Commission;
point out the depressed sectors ´ Affirmative action should be
The coming general elections will elect among our indigenous peoples, estate based on the protection and en-
the Government and peoples' workers, urban settlers and small hancement of the status of the
epresentatives who will lead the farmers. weaker sectors and not on race,
country into the next millennium. social background and religious
Forty-two years after Independence, Besides, we are very concerned about belief;
Malaysia has evolved into a dynamic corruption, deviations in the imple- ´ Take steps to abolish in all aspects,
multi-ethnic nation with progress in mentation of government policies, the "bumiputera / non-bumi-
all sectors, thanks to the efforts made lack of accountability and transpar- putera" distinction.
by Malaysians of all ethnic commu- ency, bias of the media, all of which
nities. However, certain national poli- have aroused public concern. 22222..... AAAAAdddddvvvvvaaaaannnnnccccceeeee dddddeeeeemmmmmooooocccccrrrrraaaaacccccyyyyy
cies, especially those related to equal- Democracy is more than the ritual
ity between ethnic communities, de- In view of our love for the country and casting of a ballot once every five years
mocracy, human rights and judicial apprehensions for the future, we call - there must be democracy at all lev-
autonomy, still leave much room for upon all political parties and candidates els of government in order that we can
improvement. in the coming general elections to de- realise parliamentary democracy and
clare their support and endorsement ensure free and fair elections:
The economic crisis of the last two of our appeals, and we urge all
years and the Nipah virus epidemic Malaysian to jointly work together to- ´ Delineate constituencies based on
are two recent disasters which have wards the realisation of these appeals. the principle of "one person one
caused the Chinese organisations to vote" - the discrepancy in the
take serious stock of the future of this 11111..... PPPPPrrrrrooooommmmmooooottttteeeee nnnnnaaaaatttttiiiiiooooonnnnnaaaaalllll uuuuunnnnniiiiitttttyyyyy number of voters in different con-
country. National unity must be based on the stituencies should not exceed 15%
interests of all Malaysians irrespec- as practised at the time of Inde-
The lack of an integrated plan to de- tive of race. Unity and solidarity can pendence, to ensure fair represen-
velop our small and medium-scale only be forged in an environment in tation in all constituencies;
industries and New Villages after which there is equality and non-dis- ´ Reintroduce elected local govern-
more than fifty years after their estab- crimination: ments;
lishment is cause for concern. While ´ Senators must be elected;
the government endeavours to carry ´ Enact a Race Relations Act to
out mega projects, our schools are still combat racism, racialism and race 33333..... UUUUUppppphhhhhooooolllllddddd hhhhhuuuuummmmmaaaaannnnn rrrrriiiiiggggghhhhhtttttsssss aaaaannnnnddddd jjjjjuuuuussssstttttiiiiiccccceeeee
faced by lack of funding, classrooms discrimination and institute a Human rights must be upheld for the
Aliran Monthly September 1999: 19(8) Page 9
political, social, cultural and eco- nesses that have been exposed dur- placed obstacles in the way of further
nomic benefit of all peoples and for ing the recent financial crisis. Busi- economic development:
justice, peace and freedom in our nesses must be allowed the opportu-
country: nity to compete on a fair basis regard- ´ Focus on the public interest in all
less of race, and contracts and shares privatisation exercises;
´ Ratify all the international cov- must not be given out through nepo- ´ Practice open tendering for all pri-
enants and United Nations Con- tism, cronyism and corruption. It is vatisation contracts;
ventions; clear that modernisation and devel- ´ Set up a public Utilities Commis-
´ Extend the powers of the opment of the small & medium indus- sion to oversee and appraise pri-
Malaysian Human Rights Com- tries have been grossly neglected vatised utilities so as to protect the
mission to ensure that it is inde- while the Government has focussed public interest;
pendent and representative; on the business and industrial devel- ´ Roll back the privatisation of the
´ Ensure that the judiciary and the opment of the Bumiputeras during health service to enable the
office of the Attorney-General are the last thirty years. The government Malaysian public, especially the
independent; has also been negligent in the han- lower income groups to enjoy an
´ Repeal the long-existing Internal dling of the plight of pig rearers and affordable and efficient public
Security Act in line with social de- victims of the epidemic during the health service;
velopment; recent crisis in the pig-rearing indus- ´ Enact anti-monopoly legislation
´ Enact a Freedom of Information try: to prevent monopoly of privatised
Act; services;
´ Amend the Trade Union Act, the ´ Promote the development and ´ Review the privatised sewerage
Sedition Act, the Printing Presses modernisation of small and me- services to alleviate the burden on
and Publications Act, the Police dium industries in the country; consumers;
Act, the Universities and Univer- ´ Formulate and implement a sus- ´ Disallow the privatisation and
sity Colleges Act to bring them in tainable agricultural policy; imposition of toll on upgraded
line with human rights standards; ´ Provide fair and adequate sup- roads and roads within the city
´ Protect and guarantee freedom of port to all sectors including pig- limits.
speech, assembly and association. farming industry;
´ Distribute land fairly and justly to 77777..... AAAAAnnnnn eeeeennnnnllllliiiiiggggghhhhhttttteeeeennnnneeeeeddddd,,,,, llllliiiiibbbbbeeeeerrrrraaaaalllll aaaaannnnnddddd ppppprrrrrooooo-----
44444..... CCCCCuuuuurrrrrbbbbb cccccooooorrrrrrrrrruuuuuppppptttttiiiiiooooonnnnn farmers of all ethnic communities; gggggrrrrreeeeessssssssssiiiiivvvvveeeee eeeeeddddduuuuucccccaaaaatttttiiiiiooooonnnnn pppppooooollllliiiiicccccyyyyy
Corruption is one of the biggest ob- ´ Abolish the quota system based on To face the challenges of the next cen-
stacles to the nation's development. "race" and replace it with a means- tury, we must review the entire
It has not only deprived the people of tested sliding scale; Malaysian education system both in
benefits but has adversely affected ´ Ensure that the Malaysian work- relation to human potential, human
the functioning of the government ers' EPF and other public funds resource demands as well as creativ-
administration and erodes account- are adequately represented by ity, initiative and critical faculties of
ability. Corruption must be eradicated workers' organisations to guaran- our students. The Chinese organisa-
at all levels of the government and tee proper management of the tions are particularly concerned that
civil service. funds. the 1996 Education Act does not give
fair treatment to the mother tongue
´ Reconstitute the Anti-Corruption 66666..... RRRRReeeeevvvvviiiiieeeeewwwww ttttthhhhheeeee ppppprrrrriiiiivvvvvaaaaatttttiiiiisssssaaaaatttttiiiiiooooonnnnn pppppooooollllliiiiicccccyyyyy education of the Chinese, Tamil and
Agency so that it is independent The objective of privatising our pub- other ethnic minorities in our coun-
and accountable to Parliament; lic utilities is to improve efficiency try. Chinese and Tamil primary
´ Enact a law whereby all elected and alleviate the economic burden on schools are today in crisis because
representatives and senior civil the public sector. Although certain they face inadequate funding, class-
servants must publicly declare privatised utilities have provided rooms and teachers:
their assets; more convenience to the people and
enhanced economic growth, the lack ´ Amend the Education Act 1996
55555..... AAAAA fffffaaaaaiiiiirrrrr aaaaannnnnddddd eeeeeqqqqquuuuuiiiiitttttaaaaabbbbbllllleeeee eeeeecccccooooonnnnnooooommmmmiiiiiccccc of transparency in their operation has to reflect the national education
pppppooooollllliiiiicccccyyyyy given rise to private monopolies. This policy as originally stated in the
It is time to review the country's eco- has added to the burden on the peo- Education Ordinance 1957 ensur-
nomic policy and overcome the weak- ple, led to the practice of cronyism and ing the use, teaching and devel-
Aliran Monthly September 1999: 19(8) Page 10