BEING ETHICAL IS MORE THAN JUST BEING LEGALLY CORRECT

.

Yesterday, 8th March 2008, was polling day.

Unlike any previous elections this one had left in its wake many in a state of shock. The outcome was seemingly so unexpected that it surprised everyone – those from the ruling coalition did not expect to do so miserably while the opposition parties, despite their claims, probably did not think they could have done that well.

However, come to think of it, the trio I overheard discussing the elections at the teh tarik stall under the ketapang tree at Medan Tuanku some days earlier had actually speculated on the possibility of such a result (previous posting). Perhaps, unlike the main political protagonists who were thoroughly absorbed in their things and guided by their own many surveys, the man in the street might have had some inkling of the possibility of such an outcome after all. Even the stock market began trending down before the week-end!

The elections had now come and gone. Over the last 24 hours I must have endlessly listened to half a dozen panel discussions and analysis on the subject since the election results started coming in early yesterday evening.

I thought the discussions were, firstly, too academic and repetitive. Secondly, everyone seemed to be tip-toeing around the real issues as seen on the ground – the sins of the BN in general, and the perceived weakness of its leadership (the top-most and those he had surrounded himself with). The outcome of the elections was more a rejection of the BN rather than support for the opposition – a rejection triggered by loss of trust, respect and confidence in the BN leadership and unhappiness and disgust with the performance of the ruling party since the electorate’s high hopes of 2004.

In many constituencies the spoilt votes were more than the majority won, representing perhaps disillusioned supporters denying their support but yet not willing to endorse the opposition outright. Similarly the low turn-out in many areas, some in the low 50plus percent, could also represent the “abstaining” supporters. Clearly the rejection of the BN was not so much because of any real preference, love, or affections for the opposition or any real hope and trust in them, but more because of the unhappiness and in many cases disgust for the ruling party!

How else could we possibly explain what happened? Unlike political party members the majority non-party independent voters (who were responsible for the massive swing) could not possibly vote in concert in the absence of an obvious and shared cause – a cause that must be triggered by commonly perceived, serious, and unacceptable major failings. Only such a phenomenon can create the degree of emotional alignment within millions of independent voters to achieve such a concerted swing.

Clearly the general elections over the week-end was not just a loss for the BN. In many ways and possibly in many cases, it was also a loss for the electorate. It was probably a very difficult choice and a sacrifice for many among them. Some felt forced to vote against their better judgment because of loyalty; some voted with their heads to make a statement and did what was perceived at this point of time as a “painful necessity” despite the warring conscience. And many even decided to abandon their voting right and stayed home!

What happens next would be interesting to see.

Dr Koh Soo Koon, the hard-working and very able former Chief Minister of Penang, and Acting Party President of Gerakan, had taken full responsibility for the state defeat and had indicated his readiness to resign from the post of Acting Party President. This is the expected conduct of a responsible and ethical leader. Samyvellu, it seemed, had not at all even considered resigning; neither had Keyveas; or Ong Kah Ting – and neither had Pak Lah, the key and central figure in the eye of the BN debacle.

Legally of course they do not have to resign unless told to do so by the party – and our political parties are so cowed by the leadership there is small hope in that. But then what is ethical is not just what is legally correct. And although we have to accept that everyone might have different standards for what is ethical and acceptable, we expect our leaders in high positions to also subscribe to high ethics. Perhaps the Rakyat might again have to voice their common take on this!

Whatever happened and whatever the fall-out of the 2008 general elections, I sincerely hope the lessons that came with it would not be wasted. Sadly though, judging by the words and tone of several BN leaders immediately after the results were known, it would seem as if the lessons had not as yet been recognised, or acknowledged.

Perhaps they just need some space to grieve first!