Political culture of U-turns 
Malaysiakini
Sep 18, 2006
Stanley Koh

These days, nothing is so strange that we are shocked by it. Any idea, issue or event, no matter how bizarre, always has its day.

A foreign research associate who has long been interested in our political landscape recently remarked that Malaysia has been hit by an UFO. Asked what it means, he cryptically replied, “the phenomenon of U-turn Flip-flop Occurrences”.

Yes, the 21st letter of the English alphabet has a more pervasive impact upon our daily lives than we can possibly imagine. The ‘U’- capital and small - sums up our lifestyle and governance in all manifestations from the streets to the corridors of power. 

For a start, it actually it takes ‘u’ (you) little imagination to figure this out. Arguably, millions of ordinary Malaysians repeatedly use the letter ‘u’ as an abbreviation in sending SMS text.

Out of necessity and practical convenience, we make ‘U-turns’ to save time and petrol to reach our destination.

Our cabinet ministers habitually make ‘u-turns’ on policy decisions. This is illustrated by last year’s infamous flip-flop decisions on the expulsion of foreign workers. More recently, the police moved to slash traffic fines, insisting they have the power to reduce fines without having to consult any ministry or agency. The cabinet decided otherwise.

A spiritual master once told his disciples that an eagle (denoting a spiritual warrior) should sometimes fly as low as the sparrow (layman).

The creativity quotient of former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad in making a courageous u-turn, by contesting as an ordinary delegate in the Kubang Pasa Umno division election, caused panic at the top of the party hierarchy.

In a political landscape with unmarked complexities, it became unacceptable for a former party president to be seated with ordinary delegates. It was argued to be “inappropriate” for someone who has occupied the highest position to make this u-turn.

Party tradition suddenly became unalterable although, ironically, Mahathir had delivered a lengthy narration at the 1996 annual general assembly on the erosion of his party’s traditions. He cited as examples the breakdown of Umno’s “culture of politeness” in contesting for posts and “money politics” among others.

Decades ago, it was said half in jest that Umno really stands for ‘U Must Not Object’, with greater emphasis during the Mahathir era. Nonetheless, this takes on significance if applied to the days when MCA stood for ‘Money Collecting Association’ (having provided financial resources to the Malayan independence movement) and MIC (May I Come?) reflected itself as a minority partner which sought permission to join the Alliance coalition.

In learning the past to understand the future, we can forget about measuring the capability of our political leaders on the basis of the intelligence or moral quotient, much less the creativity quotient which is sadly lacking (with the probable exception of Mahathir).

Twisted perception

Perhaps, with some wisdom we can gather insight into the ‘U’ that afflicts our political and cultural mindset.

Politicking among Malaysian rookies has taken on an unbecoming and unhealthy trend that is fast becoming entrenched in the political culture. Politics, to rookies, has become the art of looking for trouble through the myopic racial lens, leading to incorrect official diagnoses and wrong remedies.

In an environment of doublespeak and lies, German chancellor Otto von Bismarck advised: “When you want to fool the world, tell the truth.”

Writer George Orwell said political language with its variations in all political parties from conservative to anarchist is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to “give an appearance of solidity to pure wind”.

Scientist Albert Einstein said “nationalism is an infantile disease, it is the measles of mankind”.

When political parties stop its members from going against the grain and insists that they follow the incumbent leadership like sheep to fulfill hidden agendas, it becomes pertinent to remind ourselves of the words of American civil rights leader Martin Luther King.

He said: “Cowardice asks the question, ‘Is it safe?’ Expediency asks the question, ‘Is it politic?’ And Vanity comes along and asks the question,‘Is it popular?’ But Conscience asks the question, ‘Is it right?’ And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right.”

There comes a point when a man must refuse to answer to his leader if he is also to answer to his own conscience.

In the political arena, where integrity and dignity are increasingly lacking, U-turn policy decisions become unquestioningly accepted by many rank-and-file members in blind support of the leadership.

Although unobtrusive, underhanded and undemocratic tactics are discreetly employed by those in power to unseat political rivals, it is hard to provide evidence of this even if it is common knowledge.

No wonder the uninitiated layman perceives politics as complex and not easily understood. Some condemn it with the twisted perception that politics denote ‘poly’ (many) and ‘ticks’ (blood-sucking parasites). Politics has become a dirty word evidenced by the fact that absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Hence, it is understandable when malaysiakini columnist Sim Kwang Yang unsurprising says that many Malaysian political parties are run like family empires. More so, when internal disputes and policy decisions are not allowed to be resolved in the courts.

Burmese nationalist Aung San Suu Kyi said, “It is not power that corrupts but fear. Fear of losing power corrupts those who wield it and fear of the scourge of power corrupts those who are subject to it.”

Of mediocre minds

Great spirits have no place in the political arena.

Einstein is correct in saying “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly.”

There is no U-turn in the domain of truth and honesty. In politics, the loyalty and faithfulness of an unprincipled follower to his political master is considered patriotic, while another person who is loyal only to his conscience and truth is branded a traitor.

Another lesson comes from by RA Bulter (1902-1982) who said, “In politics, you must always keep running (leading) with the pack. The moment that you falter and they (followers) sense that you are injured, the rest will turn on you like wolves.”

There is no vision of Utopia but politicians always promised utopian dreams. It may be true that the government cannot fool you all the time, but it can fool you enough each election time to rule for a long time.

Malaysian voters cannot direct the wind but they can adjust the sails. It is said that, in the long run, every government is the exact symbol of its people, with their wisdom and un-wisdom. We have to say, “Like people, like government”.

Yet remember the wise but non-attributed quotation: “If you are headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns.”