THE Johor Assembly has complied with the Johor ruler’s decree that the opposition in the state should instead be called “‘pengimbang” or “balancing force”. 

It is an apt name, particularly in Johor where DAP leads the opposition against Barisan Nasional (BN). As the two are partners in the federal unity government, this places both in an awkward position at the state level. 

This awkwardness is shared in many a state assembly, unlike Sarawak, where the role of both is clearly demarcated.

Perhaps the elections in the six states due this year and the next federal polls will give more clarity, but until then, friends, enemies, and “frenemies” will have to navigate through strange lines.

While the role of government in both the state and nation is clear, in the last 15 years, the role of the opposition has been one of vying for power.

This started when the hegemony of BN was broken in 2008 and it appeared power was up for grabs.

Prior to this, crossing the bench was mainly confined to opposition members seeking greener, richer pastures, while the government used defections as a means to strengthen their ranks and demoralise their opponents. 

The struggle for power has proved unhealthy for national development and social harmony and has seen the mainstream political discourse take a dangerous, racial and religious turn as political parties try to outdo one another in conservatism to win the Malay vote.

Has the opposition forgotten its full title in English convention – His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition?  

We may not realise it but we are now firmly straddling conservative territory, or at least that’s what our policies tell us.

We can no longer shrug off concert bans and the turning away of patients and police complainants because of “inappropriate” attire as the work of little Napoleons.

We have people openly questioning the citizenship and basic rights of others.

Institutions such as Chinese schools are called into question daily by people who are oblivious of their history.

We have religious supremacists questioning visits to places of worship while they themselves lead delegations of their own into churches and temples to seek votes.

We have people asking for English to be replaced as the business language, who cannot seem to speak it well themselves.

In sum, we have a generation of foolish naysayers who want to redefine our tolerant ways.

Race, religion and royalty are the three topics most constantly harped-on even though all three are protected by convention and the constitution.

There are a million and one topics needing attention – public health, social security, jobs, the economy and the shaky state of global financing institutions.

Yet we cannot escape the vortex-like cesspool of rhetorics on non-issues.

What we truly need is a balancing force – not a force hell-bent on tipping the balance in their favour no matter the cost.

Fearmongers need to be brought to justice and we should no longer allow our harmony to be held hostage by people who have proved that they can easily pack up and leave when the going gets tough, leaving a unsavoury mess for the people to figure out how to fix.

If statesmanship or even common decency is too much to expect from our politicians, then perhaps it is time to remind them that free speech does not exist beyond the law. It is a qualified privilege that demands quality. – March 22, 2023.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.