THE elite in the American government appear overwhelmed with an unreal sense of self-righteousness. They are always benchmarking the governments of foreign countries to that of their own, and complaining that the latter countries are always promulgating laws against human rights and democratic norms and practices. A case in point: its vice-president recently tweeted that our Sedition Act is a tool to suppress political freedom and the opposition.
He quoted the opposition leader’s trial on his alleged homosexual acts to substantiate his interpretation of our Sedition Act.
He, like most Americans, seems ignorant of the realities of politics and societies beyond the United States.
But, it is characteristic of the American political elite to make, without thinking or being in touch with reality, derogatory remarks about politics in other countries.
Former US vice-president Al Gore, in 1998, had rudely voiced his abhorrence of our government's stand against the reformasi movement when he was a guest here.
Even to the most apolitical Malaysian, there is a need for preventive laws against speeches or acts that disrupt the harmonious racial relationship in our multiethnic nation.
Democracy is not an ideal system of government as it upholds the principle that the government should always be run on the will of the majority of the population, but any responsible government knows that the will of the majority cannot trample on the rights of the minority.
The concept of human rights has its limitations in the face of the rights of the community. So, there is indeed a need for some “undemocratic” safeguard in the government system to ensure workability of such principles to prevent chaos and provide satisfaction to all.
Our Sedition Act protects the interests of Malaysians, whether they are from the majority ethnic or minority groups, and the integrity and union of our country.
Any groups aggrieved by any party on sensitive issues can resort to the judicial system to settle matters.
Our security laws are historically viewed by American lawmakers as a weapon against the opposition, and laterally, therefore, against the minority.
Also, the American political elite does not believe that our judiciary can dispense justice. According to the elite members, our judicial system is not independent of the government.
Like any other justice system in the Commonwealth practising democracy, our judiciary makes its judgment in accordance with laws and precedence based on facts given to them by the prosecution and defence.
The judges are humans and, to some impartial eyes, the judgment they pass may be unfair to the seemingly innocent party.
This is rather unfortunate, but the same principles are practised in the supposedly bastion of democracy and justice: the US.
Obvious injustice prevails despite laws passed by the American Congress aimed at guaranteeing justice to Americans.
There is already an “in-built social guarantee” that coloured Americans cannot enjoy the benefits of equal treatment contained in laws passed by the American administration.
For instance, the 1964 Civil Rights Act, meant to prohibit discrimination in employment, fails to live up to its intentions.
This is because for every three out of 10 African American males born in the US, they will have served time in prison, a status that renders their prospect for legitimate employment bleak and often bars them from obtaining licences.
Despite the Voting Rights Act of 1965, today, 1.4 million black Americans have lost the right to vote because of felony offences.
A substantial number of black Americans do not enjoy the benefits meant for Americans under the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act and the Fair Housing Act because of jail sentences they have served.
So, too, are other acts passed to safeguard the rights of minorities but, in actuality, justice is not being served by the American government towards these groups.
It is interesting to note that although coloured Americans make up 30 per cent of the population, they account for 60 per cent of those imprisoned.
The recent cases of white policemen killing two unarmed black Americans in Missouri and New York, are perfect examples of the American “distorted standards” on justice.
These acts were caught on camera and went viral.
The white policemen were subsequently not charged by the justice system. Those who saw the videos concluded otherwise and felt the killings of the black youths by white authorities were a continuous subjugation of minorities. Demonstrations and riots are going on in America because of this.
These are domestic issues of the US and nobody, except those with enmity towards America, has voiced criticisms.
In its foreign policy, the American government is doing things that are in contrast to its frequent profession of spreading democracy, justice and fairness.
It recognises regimes that are antithesis to democratic rule, like Saudi Arabia and Jordan, and contributed to the downfall of democratic governments like Egypt a few months back.
They support Israel and close their eyes to the apartheid rule Israel has imposed on the captured territories of Palestine. The list goes on.
Syed Azauddin, Gombak, Selangor