Of freedom, democracy and politics

A nation’s destiny depends on how these are played

SOMETHING is simmering in Cambodia. And it is not the heat of the ordinary kind. Nov 9 — Cambodia’s Independence Day — was a day to watch. On that day, Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) leader Sam Rainsy was supposed to return from France, where he was living in self-imposed exile since 2015. But he was prevented from checking-in at Roissy Airport in Paris for his flight to Bangkok on Nov 7. France was not the only foreign land where Cambodian politics were playing out. Malaysia — an accidental player at best — had to witness some of it when Rainsy turned up at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Saturday. Earlier, on Wednesday, CNRP vice-president Mu Sochua did the same from self-imposed exile. She was detained but released the next day. She was not the only one. Two other CNRP personalities are said to have faced similar predicaments. They were all probably heading for the planned political rally on Nov 8. But one question remains: Why didn’t they fly direct to Cambodia?

Interestingly, the Cambodian government had requested through a letter to extradite named politicians — one source names nine — to the country. Rightly, Malaysia didn’t acquiesce. They were travelling on non-Cambodian passports. If Cambodian media reports are right, the country is not unhappy with the way Malaysia handled the matter. The move was right for another reason. Their safety may have been at issue. Humanitarian grounds must trump diplomacy. The nature of politics should not be our concern, so long as Malaysia is not their campaign ground.

This notwithstanding, Malaysia as a member of the United Nations, and more particularly, as a member of Asean, must do all it can to promote freedom and democracy in the world. Not like what the United States and some European countries do — by bombs and regime change — but by diplomacy and fashion them in the manner best suited to local realities. Nations, especially our neighbours, must be convinced that elections by the people is the best way to earn the right to rule. Politics by any other means isn’t good for the people, the country or the world. Ordinary people, from the street barista to the Gojek rider, just want to get on with their lives. They have to put food on the table and have children to send to schools. Perhaps aged parents to care for. Ordinary lives are millions of these things. From Cambodia to Colombia, it is a little bit of this and a little bit of that. Disruptive politics are the last thing they want.

The NST is all for democracy for a reason. It enables reasoned choices to be made. One choice is the kind of leaders we want to govern our country. Regular free and fair elections enable this choice to be exercised without fear. A vibrant press helps too. Not all countries get stellar marks here, but those who do have a free press. Because a free press holds leaders and institutions accountable. A nation so examined will be destined for great things. Freedom, democracy and politics must be played thus.

Humanitarian grounds must trump diplomacy. The nature of politics should not be our concern, so long as Malaysia is not their campaign ground.