Malaysia is a country that has a democracy which has not matured yet but there is still room and opportunity to achieve it.
This is the opinion of student activist Fahmi Zainol, when commenting on one of Vision 2020’s challenges which is ‘fostering and developing a mature democratic society’.
Fahmi said Malaysia is not matured because injustice still lingers in the judicial system, political slanders, abuse of police power and media bias.
“Laws such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act (Pota) and the Sedition Act, hinder the mission of realising Vision 2020 goals," Fahmi said when contacted.
"Acts and legislations like these are created to ‘silence’ the voices of people who criticise or oppose the government. As a result, the government will remain in power and govern without hearing the people out," he said.
“This goes against the practice of a healthy democracy," Fahmi added.
Fahmi also said that Malaysians now have a different way of thinking and are heading towards achieving a mature society.
“Some people have an advanced way of thinking. But there are others who are plagued but emotions and sentiments.
“What's best is not to stop educating the public, through thinking and expressing what is right. Our leaders should start doing this first.
“For example, leaders need to respond to people's problems and not give silly excuses, twist facts, blame others and create racial sentiment,” he said.
READ: #5Tahun2020: The people are ready, but the government isn't - Ambiga
READ: #5Tahun2020: Malaysia is 'too young' to form Bangsa Malaysia - Ibrahim Ali
Fahmi added that even though the government attempts to suppress the voices in the social media, there is a wave of change as people today are more likely to get information and communicate through social media.
“There is no denying the role of social media in a democratic space in Malaysia where both the government conveying information.”
Fahmi said it is possible for a democratic culture in the country, to be fuelled by social media.
T K Letchumy Tamboo
Tue May 26 2015
Malaysia is a country that has a democracy which has not matured yet but it still has room and opportunity to achieve it, says Fahmi Zainol.
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