The West Australian, January18, 2000.
Leaders in healthy democracies know that after election victories they should take care to listen to the minority voices in their nation. Those statesmen know they have a responsibility to govern for all the people, and they also realise that today's minority can obtain real political power tomorrow.
Unfortunately for Malaysia, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad seems to have forgotten some of his moral responsibilities and has ignored the lessons learnt over the years in more mature democracies.
Last week, clearly under the orders of Dr Mahathir, there began a shameful carackdown on opposition figures and newspapers. The targets were predictable: the brave politicians, lawyers and journalists who dared to live up to their professional duties to monitor those in power. The sycophants who slavishly served as the mouthpiece for Dr Mahathir then proceeded to compound the infamy.
They cited the rule of law as an excuse for repression, an act of cynicism that should make even the most ardent supporters of the government cringe in embarrassment.
Most Malaysians and overseas observers know the real truth. When a well-qualified potential leader chose to put up his hand to replace his aging boss, the man at the top reacted with fury. He used trumped-up charges to throw his challenger in prison where offical thugs beat up their helpless victim. A court case followed but it was compromised in many ways.
An election then took place but the media was in chains and election officials followed orders to prevent many eligible voters from enrolling. Despite his best efforts, Dr Mahathir became the target of the anger of many Malay people. The opposition came to power in two states and made other gains.
However, the fear campaign generated by the regime about a possible Muslim-dominated government persuaded most Chinese and Indian Malaysians to choose the devil they knew.
Joining those Malays doing well in the prevailing climate of corruption and cronyism, they cast their votes for the old regime. After Dr Mahathir's disgraceful post-election taunting of the wife of his imprisoned former deputy, Anwar Ibrahim, he has continued to indulge the negative side of his complex character.
His current attempts to prevent any further erosion of power may give temporary comfort to those who fear the rise of Islam in Malaysian politics. However, it threatens to lead to a mere bottling up of outrage which will expand and erupt in the future.
There is another danger, too. Questions about the impartiality of the legal system and apprehension about political instability down the track could make foreign investors nervous. The ruthless control of domestic media for partisan political ends may also deter foreigners from involvement in the much trumpeted multi-media corridor.
Dr Mahathir recently unveiled his extravagant new mansion, paid for by his people. Once it might have served as a symbol of his major contribution to this country. Now it appears it will be a permanent reminder of a leader who lost his way.
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