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What is the meaning of democracy, if not local governance of the people, by the people and for the people? Now, at which point does this same meaning lose its appeal as a maxim just because we elect some to represent us? Just because PKR and DAP cannot agree whether that locality must have a candidate from it? Does the colour of the candidate’s or party’s externalities make a real difference?

Or, what really is the difference; when you face a state government with already a two-thirds majority?

This has happened in six seats in the current Sarawak elections. Now, my question, as a civil society activist and not a partisan political party member, is why do we allow it to happen, if we really understand the real meaning of democracy? To me, it is the lack of good and strategic-minded leadership in both parties. Sorry, guys, but truth always hurts.

Surely, if we claim that the HOPE coalition is a meeting of hearts and minds of DAP, Amanah and PKR, what is this disagreeable message telling all Malaysians? Of course there always is PAS and their Islamic agenda, based on non-liberal Islam (or rejecting a moderate Islam) or Umno with their Melayu culture agenda; both of which are now rejected by moderate middle Malaysians.

Agreeing to disagree, agreeably

Any group of good friends and close family can learn to agree to disagree, agreeably. If they cannot, it is only because some individuals or members are immature and do not share the greater imperative of community value. For me, all this is not just a theory but an applied model of life and current living.

Recently, we had a memorial event for the passing of our 96-year-old father. We invited all close friends and family who knew our father or parents. One of our siblings did not attend, but gave us no reason for such action. So, everyone, including the spouse, did not understand the reason.

My good friend and ally in our strategy consulting business, UK Menon, asked me why, and I told him the entire story and facts as they happened after which he concluded it has something to do with immaturity and inability to communicate any disagreements in some rational and agreeable forms.

Having studied and reflected for many years on the subject of dignity and integrity, I can only add that even organisational behaviour, such as those of DAP or PKR, does communicate “inability to agree to disagree in rational and unemotional forms”. To me, it relates to some implicitly wrong assumptions we can all make about mutual respect for the other; regardless of our religious worldviews.

Mutual respect for the other

The dignity of every human being and all related consequential rights issues define our humanity and perspectives about human rights and justice. I find it unacceptable that the two leading parties who are seeking credibility and respectability in Sarawak amongst the people of Sarawak, and offering themselves as alternatives in the federal government come the next general election (GE), cannot agree to disagree, agreeably.

What I have found as very positive about the so-called ‘opposition’ and now governments in Selangor and Penang, was their promised ‘change’, and which they did start working on the promises made but somehow still have not delivered. I include improved local governance; my pet peeve.

One simple case story will make my case and point. Please review this YouTube statement by Derek Fernandez. I believe it was recorded live as he spoke at the full council meeting of the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) this past week.

Is not Derek’s question about local governance after 60 years of experimentation with local delivery of services absolutely relevant today? Is that not why Malaysia is still cursed with poor local governance after half a century? Could not Malaysia have been better than most developed countries in local governance by 2020?

My late father stood for local council elections in 1953 and was elected as an Independent against the Alliance candidate. Does the HOPE coalition really need a breakdown and free-for-all?

Incompetent local governance

As argued by Derek Fernandez, there appears to be a schism between the expectation of the public and performance of local authorities even in Pakatan Rakyat (now Pakatan Harapan) states. Their sweet promises of good governance were only a dream. Is it too early for them to show results? Or is it simply that an informed citizenry like that in Petaling Jaya or Subang Jaya are too demanding and choose not to understand the excuses for poor governance?

Is lack of supervision and enforcement the real issue? When student groups visit MBPJ, they would be impressed with the multiple awards received by MBPJ and the well-maintained environment of its head office. But if we do a close analysis of their data, there appears to be bottlenecks of hundreds of unaddressed citizen complaints. The three most important complaints are garbage collections, clogged drains and potholes. Why?

One way forward?

What does it take for local authorities to resolve such basic or ‘longkang-type issues’? One scenario is to classify them as ‘petty issues’. Alternatively, the councillors are too busy with their pet projects or agenda to serve the citizen’s complaints. They do not take citizen complaints seriously.

Perhaps it is timely for us to migrate towards a shared ownership of governance operating at both organisational level and the individual levels. At the individual level, councillors need to develop their key performance indicators or KPIs based on actual issues and feedback from residents.

At the organisational level there is a need for greater and fuller transparency in resolving public complaints reporting. Developing service level agreement (SLA) is a good starting point but eventually what the public wants is zero delays and eventually zero complaints.

The Oriental Hearts and Minds Study Institute (OHMSI), the NGO we are involved in, is currently developing a project called councillors report card. It being funded under the late Tan Chee Khoon Programme; the famous opposition leader well respected by all.

The objective of the project is to develop an annual report card for councillors from citizens, and as agreed to by local authorities, on the performance of the local councillors who are accountable and responsible for good local governance under the Local Government Act. Can PKR-DAP work together to deliver this in Selangor and Penang before GE14? Is that too much to ask? Can we collaborate and cooperate for good governance at the local levels?