Give due recognition to the opposition

They are also duly elected by the people

The Peoples Progressive Party (PPP) Youth chief Senator and the Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Depertment T. Murugiah would have found the hard way that over-enthusiasm in handling the complaints of the public will at times land you in trouble. His aggressiveness overseeing the Public Complaints Bureau has exactly not only had it landed him in trouble with senior ministers and government officers but surprisingly his own party as well.

Party president Datuk M. Kayveas has expressed great displeasure that Murugiah might have gone personally to Siputeh MP Teresa Kok’s office to investigate her “dog food” allegation during her ISA detention recently. What is wrong with a deputy Minister meeting an opposition member who complains of wrong doing? Why such an animosity towards an Opposition MP?

Teresa may be an Opposition MP but isn’t she a citizen with all the rights like anyone else? Such hostile attitude towards the opposition has become a norm in our country. This is not the first time that opposition members are being treated in a cavalier manner without due respect and regard to the people who had voted for them. Such attitude is displayed daily in our parliament where opposition ideas are least regarded by those from the ruling party. Even the Speaker who is to be neutral is never so. We have yet to witness the speaker allowing the debate of a single motion that is proposed by the Opposition.Don't tell us that the opposition we elected are that dumb?

At the recent opening session on the debate on the budget, when the Opposition Leader took the stand there were hardly any senior members of the ruling party in parliament which goes to show the importance they attach to the views expressed of the opposition, even on an important issue like the budget, particularly at time of economic crisis. They may want to snub the Opposition Leader but do they realize that they also snubbing the rakyat who he is representing in the august house?
It must be remembered that nearly half the electorate voted for the opposition and by disregarding the opposition would mean showing disrespect to the people who elected them. How can the BN expect to regain the support of these people if they have no respect for their views? The BN should not be just a party for its supporters but for all including those who did not vote for them. This open attitude is what democracy is all about.

In a democratic system of government, both the ruling party and the opposition have equal roles in their service to the rakyat.While the former formulates and implement policies for the rakyat the latter has an equally vital role to contribute ideas and provide a check and balance to prevent power abuse. If either of them fails in their duty, they would be neglecting their duties towards the rakyat.

There is a need for closer cooperation between the ruling party and the opposition parties. Each should treat the other as comrades, with mutual respect, honor and civility not hostility and animosity. They should have a common aim, although they may differ in the way they carry it out, to serve to the people who have voted them to the fullest without fear or favor.

It is envious to see the smooth, friendly and civil way of power transfer between the present and incoming presidents in the US. There appears to be full cooperation not animosity or sabotage between them. The two men regard themselves as fellow Americans, not as enemies, sharing the same dreams for their nation. Our parliamentarians have an important lesson to learn from their counterparts in the US if they want to transform our own parliamentary system at par like them and other first world democracies.

Dr.Chris Anthony