Federalism, the two party system and political realities of Malaysia

Nov 27 - On 21 November last year I invited the Institute for Policy Studies with YB Datuk Husam Musa and YB Teng Chang Khim in the forum discusses Two Party System and State-Federal Relations. Forum is part of the National Symposium on IKD Pakatan Rakyat and onset of Two Party System in Malaysia.

Capital touching about hypocrisy in the BN State Government and Federal relations, while Teng also propose that the principle of federalism with greater construed in accordance with current developments.

In my speech, I start with writing citing YM Tunku 'Abidin Muhriz: "Regional autonomy was practised for centuries present amongst the constituent states of Malaysia - the only formal federation in Southeast Asia - yet the country is among the most centrally administered in the region .

That is the irony, how the only formal Federation in the region has become increasingly terjerat with the Central Government control. I also reminded the audience how Umno itself against the proposed unitary concept of Britain through the Malayan Union, but suggest the formation of the Federation of Malaya in 1948.

In the history of our country, there is some violation of the principle of federalism episodes, including: the Federal Government intervention to overthrow Sarawak Chief Minister Stephen Kalong Ningkan the 1960s, the Emergency rule in Kelantan in 1977 that allows the Federal Government dropped the PAS, marginalization rights Sabah under PBS in early 1990s and the issue of oil royalty to Terengganu and Kelantan.

Since March 8, 2008, when 5 was the first time state government fell to the opposition we see how the hijacked Perak, Penang and further marginalized the latest issue of oil royalty Kelantan.

As part of the Singapore Government, through our own experience some of the same: People-Centric program jointly organized by the Prime Minister's Department, National Security Council, Department of Social Welfare and the Election Commission; barriers Datuk Noh Omar as Minister of Agriculture officials to all Federal agencies to attend programs in the State Government and Federal Government efforts to thwart Selangor water industry restructuring.

Same theme that underlies the incidents was clear: how the Federal Government led by one party (or coalition parties) rejected cooperation with the State Government led by the opponent and the structured use of the governmental machinery of these states, thus the people of their own!

In fact, since March 8 now see tension between state and center spread also in states such as the appointment of Menteri Besar BN in Perlis and Terengganu.

Clearly, the principle of federalism that underlies the formation of the Federation of Malaya and Malaysia has eroded further, swallowed deck period, revenue Constitutional amendments impact a large majority for the BN this.

Power and financial resources of the State Government extremely limited. Financial strength, the government machinery, security institutions - all under the control of the Federal Government. At the same time, I asserted that the State Governments need to Pakatan Rakyat in creative ways and not only give reasons to overcome this crisis.

Selangor State Government in its efforts mendrafkan Enactment of Freedom of Information for realizing the principles of transparency and accountability. Even so, during which the Chief Minister using his powers under Section 2C Official Secrets Act, the Federal Government tries to find a way menggagalkannya. Hill International in incidents, people must ask: how reports of landslides threaten the safety or affect the strategic interests of the country?

At the same time, efforts Petaling Jaya City Council to establish police assistance (Auxiliary police) to assist the Royal Malaysia Police guard in Petaling Jaya to this day do not get a green light of the Federal Government. Yes, safety is the responsibility of the Federal Government. But as a pro-active measures that have a PBT result of many crimes and handcuffed, MBPJ want to help the often lamented lack of RMP police officer. Airport, Port all have police assistance. Why people are denied the right to Petaling Jaya? In many other countries, is under the police power PBT!

To break this deadlock, we must find some way. Among produce spirit dwiparti (bipartisanship) between BN and PR, as exists in the parties in the BN which is also not satisfied with the bias condition today (can we ask YB Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh!). Availability YM Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah led kaukus claim royalty oil is a good example, and need to be developed further.

We must also start the paradigm shift from the mentality of winner takes all (win or lose all) to the win-win (win-win). If we refer to our Constitution clearly exists between the equilibrium back the State and Federal Government. Proposal YAB Tan Sri Datuk Abdul Khalid Ibrahim Independent Grants Commission established to ensure justice for channeling funds to the State Government should be studied carefully. Imagine, people pay a tax of Selangor RM16 billion to the Federal Government. But the State Government budget cumalah RM1.3 billion. As a member of the Federation, we accept the need to fund the rich is shared selangor other states that require more, but if each state guaranteed a minimum 20 percent tax obtained daripanya, Selangor own allocation of RM3.2 billion will be entitled to!

Some countries succeeded with their federalism model, such as the United States, Canada, Australia and Germany. Even countries that Indonesia is basically unitary republic, the power of the Central Government relaxes post-Reformation to the sleeping giant is now risen back to economic progress, political and social impressive.