Empowering Our Thinkers

By: Natalie Shobana Ambrose

theSun, Malaysia (pg 13) July 12, 2013

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/columns/onpointe

Throughout history, the most dangerous people to any regime have not been the thugs, thieves or murderers but rather the thinkers and the intellectuals. For centuries governments have crafted laws limiting the opinions and vetoing findings of studies from being publicised or rubbishing theories that do not fit with their agenda. So much so modern academics find that they constantly self-censor or thread far away from what is deemed sensitive or controversial subjects as a form of self-preservation and survival.

This missing voice is a great tell-tale of how authoritarian a government is and how much or little such talent is valued in the society. We see this throughout the world – talented academics who would rather bypass the red tape of taking on local issues as study topics instead embark on ground-breaking research in other lands so as to not rock the boat back home.

Malaysia has not been spared in this respect. Not only have we lost bright stars to other lands by limiting the very essence of their work, we have also inevitably dumbed down our thinkers through fear, bureaucracy and threatening their livelihoods.

Malaysia is going through fascinating transformation both socially and politically. In the last 10 years, the change has been profound. Yet so little study has been done amid all the political cacophony, and the Malaysian academic voice has been rather quiet. We have to ask the question why.

Why have the thinkers and intellectuals not taken advantage of this hotbed of potential study topics? And how have intellectuals who have done so been treated?

The problem I feel lies in space. Is there a space where people are empowered to provide evidence-based critique? Almost like a speakers' box of immunity for factual analysis to be discussed intelligently without personal attacks of "if you don't like it here leave!" or taunts of "go back to where you came from" and "what more do you want ingrate."

It seems far easier for a foreigner to write a book, article, thesis on Malaysian issues than it would be for a local. If we don't agree with their findings – we can rubbish it as not correctly understanding Malaysia since they are an outsider. Of course the other argument is that Malaysians are too emotionally embroiled to carry out such studies. Perhaps there is some truth to it but that is not a good enough reason to leave a gaping hole in research work by local thinkers.

For a Malaysian though, embarking on potential research topics within the range of race relations, governance, electoral process, human rights, security, migration history and the likes is best left untouched. The retribution is not worth the contribution to the academic discourse – and this happens in a country where we enjoy "democratic comforts".

Malaysian intelligentsia needs to be empowered – both from the inside and out. How though?

First, our universities, research institutes and think-tanks should be given the mandate to be neutral – not just on paper but also in accepting and engaging in research and study findings that are pertinent to today's Malaysia, even if it makes the politicians uncomfortable. Of course this should be done within the confines of the analysis being transparent and evidence-based.

Information should be readily available and funding provided with no swaying strings of political positioning attached. This of course is the ideal, perhaps then we should first, start with undoing the politicisation of administrative posts if genuine change is to happen. Also there needs to be a paradigm shift that thinkers are not traitors but rather people who can contribute knowledge to informed decision making. It is also important for thinkers to be actively engaged with decision makers without bias, reducing the gap between the different levels of society.

Second, the public should demand for such high standards in academics and thinkers, only then will our intellectual movement be reliable and powerful enough to support reforms in a peaceful manner. Such public support is important for an intellectual revolution to take place.

Third, the intelligentsia themselves need to restore the confidence that the academic world is untouched by political rhetoric and not governed by fear. Start by reinstating critical discourse and continue by measuring your worth not in local currency but of international standards. Allow students to be involved in substantive debate and empower the younger generation with academic freedom – start within the confines of your own classroom.

Most importantly, do not hide behind the protection of the Chatham House Rule (When a meeting, or par thereof, is held under the rule, participants are free to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.) – use it sparingly so that your work is exposed for the betterment of the country.

It's a long road ahead yet one that is vital and necessary in our democratic process. Malaysia in this instance pales in comparison with the vocal scholarly voices in Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines. It's time we studied ourselves, our communities, our societies, our politics, our beliefs, our history and our democracy without fear – who better than someone with local knowledge, who better than a Malaysian?

Natalie believes that the time is right to stop believing the lie "No, you're not entitled to your opinion!"

Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

Deliberative Democracy V Hazy Public Engagement

By: Natalie Shobana Ambrose

theSun, Malaysia (pg 20) June 28, 2013

http://www.thesundaily.my/news/columns/onpointe

No one would have thought a nine cent increase in bus fare would have triggered such mass protests in Brazil. President Dilma Rousseff's speech, which was meant to quell protesters, was criticised for being out of touch.

Perhaps if deliberative democracy efforts such as town hall meetings were called earlier to feel the pulse of such an increase in bus fare, the leaders would have realised that the statistic that Brazilians spend nearly 26% of their income on bus fare would be the straw that broke the camel's back.

This seems to be the global trend and reason for protest – a government that is out of touch. On our shores, how governments of the three haze-affected countries responded is telling. As much as ministers securing meetings across borders to discuss the haze is important, I wonder how effective or powerful a signature on a piece of paper is in stopping the problem.

Personally, I don't think we need to find a solution – the burning just needs to stop. Our lungs will attest that this is not a new phenomenon. It's been going on for years – even Asean has its own Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution that is over a decade old. Yet you and I are breathing in soot as you read this.

We all know the facts but what is glaring though is our lack of management of the issue. What does that air pollutant index (API) mean, how accurate is it and what are the effects of this haze? Our websites pale in comparison to that of the Singapore government.

Statements made by our leaders about the haze show a great disconnect and distance between the leadership and the public. There is more information and engagement seen in Singapore with their minister of foreign affairs making stern statements that Singapore will not be empathetic towards companies found responsible for causing the haze. There is also a Singapore government website providing detailed user-friendly information on the haze and measures to take.

This even includes details of where to buy the N95 masks and how to use it. Add to that more tangible government initiatives where the Ministry of Health stated that their government will subsidise medical treatment for those who suffer from respiratory problems and conjunctivitis due to the haze.

On our end however, what we are told is to stay indoors. That's it? Surely we can do better for our people.

This is just another example of missed opportunities to show leadership and build public trust. It translates into how well the public is engaged in government initiatives and this is why structures such as town hall meetings are so beneficial. It breaks barriers and forces engagement, and this is what will better the nation – where our laws and government stance reflect the tenets of what we believe in.

As uncomfortable, sensitive and complex as the issues are, pretending they don't exist only highlights our incompetency and portrays us as an ostrich with its head in the sand.

We've come to a point of our development where dictating is no longer a workable option, discussions need to be had and the different voices heard. More space needs to be created for deliberative democracy where the government engages with the various layers of society.

Though it is not an excuse, sometimes town halls turn into a verbal bashing session and it is then understandable to see why so few are held. There needs to be a good balance between advocacy, opposition view and genuine dialogue. Creating a gridlock serves no purpose and walkouts defeat the intention for finding equilibrium. How then can we move forward and find solutions for other issues?

There is a void layer of genuine public engagement in Malaysia. If town hall meetings are not on the cards for now, perhaps creating space in the media for engaging dialogues might be a better option. There are enough talk shows couched around propaganda and political party stand but what is missing is intelligent discussions about critical issues. It's telling when even news coverage of our election results was better covered by a Singapore news channel. Sigh.

Such deliberative democracy is the way forward. It may not be perfect, but it would definitely be better than what we have now.

Natalie hopes that the new parliamentary mix allows for deliberative democracy to thrive and dear MPs please no walkouts or gridlocks.

Comment: letters@thesundaily.com