An idea is making the media rounds here as ideas often do. Politics in Malaysia, as this idea peddles itself, is best practised by a single multiracial party.
One or two academics think this to be a good dream at best. Thomas More, the 16th century English social philosopher, gave us a word for this perfect imaginary world: utopia.
There, in this land of an ideal political system, people live happily ever after, undisturbed by the warts of reality. Let's ask the overwhelming question: Can Malaysia be this utopia?
No, is the quick answer. Malaysia is, as Malaya was, as real as any other land on this blessed planet.
Single party politics will be a fish out of water, not just in multiracial Malaysia, but even in a one-race anywhere else. Call it a neverland.
Here is why. Two reasons will suffice. One, Malaysia is what Malaysia is. Two, politics is what politics is.
Start with Malaysia. There is a reason why history has brought us together as a people of different hues and religions. We must seek to understand the purpose of this destiny of ours.
Yes, destiny could have decreed that we all be of one race, one religion living a uniform life, studying in the same school and saying prayers in one language. But we are not destined to live such a perfect imaginary world for a purpose. And that purpose is to get to know each other and learn how to live a life of harmony. But ever so often we disturb this universe.
Is it wrong for the Malays, Chinese, Indians or others to have a political party of their own? Or, for Muslims, Christians, Hindus or Sikhs to have a political party of their own? No, certainly not. A coming together of such nature is like a gathering of an extended family.
True, in one way of seeing , such coming together may appear to be betraying a divided society. This is a trick of perception. Those given to superficiality will only see what lies on the surface, not beyond.
What is wrong, though, is the coming together of one race or religion to deny others their right to a decent living. Everyone has a share. Neither more nor less.
Now for politics. What is politics but the art of using power to govern a country.
Power in the hands of a single party, be it a single one-race or multiracial party, is likely to be abused. We saw this in pre- and post-2018 Malaysia.
Political party rules just don't allow members to speak truth to power. This isn't merely a Malaysian malaise. It is a disease of every brand of politics.
We saw this play out so publicly in multiparty Britain and two-party America most recently. A single-party government will come designed with, not only British and American problems, but also more.
A single multiracial political party system would not make Malaysia better. It will just transfer all the race-religion debate from the country to the party. After all, such a party will be a microcosm of Malaysia. What will make Malaysia better, though, is this: When we, those who govern and who are governed, become better human beings. Race, religion or even politics aren't the problem. We are.