TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The opposition coalition`s victory in Malaysia constitutes an extraordinary political change. The majority of voters in our neighbor country have used their common sense to put an end to the Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition's domination under Prime Minister Najib Razak.
Most voters weren't provoked by anti-ethnic minority sentiments spread by Barisan Nasional-the ruling political power since Malaysia's independence in 1957. Nor did they fall prey to Najib's sweet promises to double cash aid for the poor, raise wages, reduce taxes and boost foreign investment.
The Malaysian public wants a change. They complain about burdensome living costs caused by the government's goods and services tax regulation. The economy has grown challenging as job opportunities diminish and fuel prices rise. Another contributing factor to Barisan Nasional's defeat was the inquiry into the alleged corruption in 1Malaysia Development Berhad-a government-owned investment company. Najib's name is implicated in the alleged disappearance of billions of ringgit of the people's money managed by the company.
Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who was in power for 22 years, has become a central figure in encouraging the change. Mahathir has succeeded in beating Barisan Nasional, the political power he fostered while in office. After retiring from politics, he re-entered the arena by establishing Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM) two years ago. The PPBM then joined hands with other opposition parties such as the People's Justice Party under Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, the Democratic Action Party and the Parti Amanah Negara (National Trust Party).
The opposition group, under the Pakatan Harapan (Coalition of Hope) banner, was surprisingly capable of flooring Barisan Nasional. The coalition grabbed 113 out of 222 parliamentary seats, far exceeding Barisan Nasional, which only seized 79 seats. Mahathir, 92, who used to be Najib's political mentor, will now lead the country once again as the world's oldest prime minister. Wan Azizah Wan Ismail-wife of former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim-will serve alongside Mahathir as deputy prime minister.
The Malaysian public has high hopes for Mahathir because he has already succeeded in turning the country into one of Asia's economic powers in the past. Mahathir himself has promised not to pursue retaliatory politics and to leave 1MDB's investigation to law enforcers.
The peaceful political transition deserves our appreciation. This is a new stage in Malaysia's democracy. While in power, Mahathir was branded as an authoritarian. He used the Interior Security Act-better known as ISA-to muzzle his political opponents, including Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, whom he dismissed in 1998. Anwar was later accused of corruption and sodomy after declaring an economic and political reform movement. Recently, Mahathir joined hands with Anwar to oppose Najib. After this victory, Mahathir should not re-employ past authoritarian methods because times have changed vastly.
This unique yet smooth democratic process is expected to have a positive influence on Indonesia and other ASEAN member countries. A democratic mechanism can clearly better guarantee the emergence of a more accountable government. It's also democracy that better protects freedom of opinion and expression, something that has apparently been ignored in Malaysia.
Read the full article in this week's edition of Tempo English Magazine
