Listening to the voice of the people

Providing mechanism for expressing dissent

I refer to the report “NGOs discuss Indian issues with PM in heart-to-heart chat” (Star December 15).

It was very encouraging that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi took a personal interest in trying to understand the problems of the Indian community. His willingness to listen to the Indian NGO’s and his remarks that there will more such meetings is greatly appreciated. He even encouraged the Indian representatives to be frank even in raising “hard issues” as he was willing to listen to all their grouses. This willingness to engage in dialogue has taken away a great deal of anger from them.

This is what is required at all levels – mechanisms for people to channel their grouses and the willingness of the leaders to listen to them. Most Malaysians would agree that street demonstrations are not the way to highlight their plight or vent their grouses. Apart from being waste of time, money and energy, they are definitely prone to risks of violence and riots. This in a multiracial and multi-religious country this is the last thing we would want.

Every community has its own peculiar problems which must be solved by dialogue and discussion. Providing such avenues for civil dialogue and debate for the people will go a long way to avert such demonstrations. The authorities must be seen to be genuinely interested to understand their plight.

The Prime Minister has responded positively by his repeated reassurances that he hears the voice of all the people. He has now taken the lead in showing that he is willing to meet the people to listen to the grouses. It should be an example for leaders at all levels to change their mindset to be more receptive to the voices of the people particularly the dissenting and angry ones. The voices of the people must not only be heard but also must be seen to be heard and acted upon.

In a global world that is ruled by sophisticated Information Technology, the people especially the younger generation are more aware of developments around them. The demands for their voices to be heard and their rights protected will only continue to increase with time. The government is left with no choice but to make available proper mechanisms for the increasingly literate citizens to air their opinions and be more receptive to them, including dissenting ones.

Dr.Chris Anthony