We learn by rearranging what we know.
– Ludwig Wittgenstein, British philosopher
The early 17th century ushered in subtle insights into law, politics and government that declared in veiled language that since government produces nothing, it is incapable of rearranging society.
A country becomes a nation of political systems with methods, ways and means to rearrange the status quo of normalcy and social stability. This is when unnecessary problems become visible and vexatious caused by feeble-minded politicians.
It has been proven time and again that political activism, seductive as it is, seems to offer the possibility that one can improve society, makes things better, without experiencing the personal ordeal of rearranging one’s perceptions and transforming one’s self.
Can the Dewan Rakyat rearrange society by effectuating change that can jettison our tiring political culture? One former Speaker wrote about the raucous and rambunctious chamber that reflected MPs behaviour and conduct instead of the serious business of operating a functional government.
The existing culture of education fails miserably to prepare students for the future of good government. Institutions of learning are merely factories churning out a future labour force. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has successfully replaced the Intelligent Agent (IA).
Lawmakers and educationists are incapable of bringing about change that can rearrange society. That leaves the Executive and the Judiciary to accept the baton with its corresponding burden.
Malaysia scored a first when the Judiciary, through its three courts, found a former prime minister guilty, and sent him to prison for a 12-year stint. For a brief shining moment, a powerful message was sent – you do the crime, you do the time.
But, did that rearrange our society permanently? That burning question does not fail to sear of consciences and scar our consciousness.
What will it take for civic-minded citizens to demand a rearranging of society with subdued aggression and assertiveness? Should we demand, or should we take it upon ourselves to reform and rearrange the status quo?
The biggest problem we face was well labelled by William James: “a great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.”
Governments in the East and the West are ill-equipped to find ways and means to keep their citizens and subjects contented. Selfish motives are the main culprits. ‘Taking-Care-of-Number One’ is the political baby formula that nurtures politics and suckles government.
Reform and change may be possible as entrenched values if there is such a thing as an orderly street protest arranged and structured each time government goes on a frolic of its own.
The Peaceful Assembly Act was passed by Parliament on 20 December 2011. The then prime minister reportedly stated that the Act is ‘revolutionary in nature and a giant leap in terms of improving on current laws.’
So, in essence he was saying that if you don’t agree with government, take it to the streets in an orderly fashion to either shout or shut it down? He was also suggesting that civil disobedience is not a crime.
Civil disobedience is witnessed in Parliament when MPs walk out in protest when they disagree with the government. When this happens, it’s tantamount to shutting down government. This right should be made available to voting citizens who positioned their MPs in the first place.
A deranged but rearranged society begins with lex iniusta non est lex – an unjust law is no law at all – dating back to the 1st century when St. Augustine of Hippo carved it into the DNA of politics, law and government heralding the birth of civil disobedience.
Civil disobedience found political expression through the actions of Henry David Thoreau, MK Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and all other movements that challenged disorganised government. However, its effect and impact have fizzled away like a neglected bowl of ice-cream on a hot summer day.
Unjust laws are the prime reasons for dissatisfaction and disaffection in any governable society. We are still grappling with the reincarnated ISA as SOSMA while skating fast on the thin ice no thanks to the Sedition Act.
Drug cases cast a long sinister shadow upon the gallows while corrupted government officials walk free after show trials. Every government promises the death of corruption but all you see is a cultural rebirth, a resurgence, and an escalating number of cases involving public officials.
The citizenry ought to assume the reins of rearranging society. Subtle civil disobedience tactics, strategies and techniques are aplenty if and when the commitment is not illusory or delusional.
The citizens have it in them to say ‘no’ with a thunderous roar. The shouts and screams in Parliament must be echoes from the concerned public demanding change and reform.
A government minister in-charge of law reform is not the answer. The fox guarding the hen-house is never a good omen. A neutral party with arresting and charging power is required beyond that of the ombudsman. The Judiciary needs to get tougher.
Citizens must form lawfully organised groups that are charged under the law as oversight committees to stop runaway government from running amok just because it has the numbers in Parliament.
Ultimately, every citizen must pray that the process of rearranging society must not be equated with the act of rearranging the deck chairs of the Titanic.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
