MR KIRK IN S.E. ASIA PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY TAKING NEW FORMS IN ASIA

Press, Issue 32345, 10 July 1970, Page 12

MR KIRK IN S.E. ASIA PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY TAKING NEW FORMS IN ASIA

'By

C. R. MENTIPLAY,

. Our Parliamentary Reporter)

The development of new forms of Parliamentary democracy in South-East Asia is predicted by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk) as a result of observations he made during his recent tour of the area. “I think that democracy in the whole of Asia is going to take on a different character,” he told me. “I am speaking of Parliamentary democracy. The only common feature it may well have with our own is that the Government obtains consent from the electors at regular intervals.”

Mr Kirk believes that the South-East Asian nations are producing their own men dedicated to democracy, but are seeing things in their own perspective. He believes that in Malaysia time is the all-important factor. “When Malaysia achieved independence it was in the middle of a civil war,” Mr Kirk said during a discussion on the visible trends of democracy in the area. “A lot of people thought that independence, freedom and political stability were all synonymous—and of course they were not. “What they achieved was independence'. They went

through a period of Parliamentary democracy, which was relatively stable because it really hadn’t been fundamentally challenged. “When that challenge came, suddenly there was exposed to view the fact that Westminster - style Parliamentary democracy may be suitable for the United Kingdom, or for countries like our own. because of our traditions and outlook—but is not always relevant to a different society.” Attitudes In Malaysia Mr Kirk found that in Malaysia today there is a sincere desire on the part of the Alliance Party and the Opposition parties to return to Parliamentary democracy. He found also a realisation that their form of Parliamentary democracy would have to be adjusted to something more relevant to their circumstances. Since the rioting which occurred early last year, Malaysia has been ruled by a National Operations Council under Tun Abdul Razak, While the ageing “father figure” of Malaysian independence (Tunku Abdul Rahman) has been largely released from the daily contacts of Government. Parliament will resume very soon in Malaysia. Mr Kirk believes that several events will be associated with this—a re-shuffle of Cabinet, and almost certainly the retirement of Tunku Abdul Rahman. “He may see the resumption of Parliamentary democracy as a second high point in his career,” Mr Kirk said. “And I think the resumption of Parliamentary democracy and Parliament itself, with possibly the retention of the National Consultative Council, could take place in August or September.” Mr Kirk was surprised and relieved to find Malaysia much more stable racially than he had been led to believe. “All the pundits were concerned about the possibility of outbreaks on the anniversary of the race riots last year,” he said. “It didn’t happen.” The Minister of Finance of Malaysia showed Mr Kirk some interesting figures on capital inflow. For the month of May, capital flowing into Malaysia (net capital gain) was a record, and on some

days the amounts were the highest that had ever been recorded. “This pinpointed two things,” Mr Kirk told me. “The overseas investors’ assessment of the political situation and racial position was that there was greater stability than was assumed by other observers; and second, that the people resident in Malaysia were also more confident of stability, because their money had not been placed outside the country.” Mr Kirk described this as “a little barometer indicating that though race tensions still exist, and will exist for some time, born of economic distinctions, none the less there is a willingness on the part of the community to make accommodations in the interest of harmony.” False Rumours During his visit Mr Kirk was aware of fears held by the citizens of Indian origin, he put this down to feelings growing out of uncertainty. Many things contributed to the uncertainty. One of the Opposition parties was saying that Lee Kwan Yew (in neighbouring Singapore) had 200,000 men under arms. “The inference was that if there was agiy trouble, this army ; would suddenly arrive.” Mr Kirk said. “Of course, this is just not true. Only 9000 men will ultimately be in the Singapore armed forces.” The riots undoubtedly left their imprint. So did the British decision to withdraw. “Everybody knows there will be change, but nobody knows what form it will take. The Indian talks about the things he least wants to happen. The Chinese expresses his fears , in a different way and the . Malayan feels he is the underdog in his own country!” Malays In Business The Malay, essentially a ' rural person, is not widely engaged in commercial ownership or control. By the Constitution of Malaysia, adopted on the recommendation of an international committee. the Malay has certain privileges over Chinese and Indian citizens, including training and acceptance for the Civil Service. One of the Ministers to whom Mr Kirk spoke put forward the suggestion that some of the most competent and highly-trained administrators, now in the Public Service, should be released on the understanding that they would go into business and commercial activity. “Subject to preserving certain superannuation rights, these trained officers could be released, to show that there is some kind of balance between the commerciallyagile Chinese and the Malay,” Mr Kirk said. “This is not a matter of pulling the Chinese back, but of sending the Malav on. “It is not an extremist view, but an eminently reasonable one. I think that if such views persist, gradually they will prevail over the more extravagant and wilder attitudes. There are those who want to set up a Moslem state, just as there are those who want to go in the opposite direction. A lot of faith has to be pinned to the common-sense of ordinary people who are sincerely trying to find their way through a difficult situation." Mr Kirk believes that the inbuilt pri’dlcges accorded Malays in the Constitution will continue to cause some trouble, but that time and other compensating factors would eliminate this. “In every society, economic divisions give rise to political divisions,” he said in answer to my question. “They did in our own society, not so very many years ago In fact, a large part of the criticism that now comes to us on the grounds that ‘there’s no difference between the parties’ is another way of saying that the differences that used to divide the communjty have been eliminated to v large degree. “Providing a true democratic basis is preserved in a society, affluence is a moderating factor."