Although it may be nothing to cheer about, as an advocate of democracy and capitalism I am for a change enjoying the drama that is shaping up in Malaysia, though I hope it does not end in the kind of showdown we have witnessed here in Thailand.
The election on May 5 in our neighbour to the south was the most hotly contested since independence from Britain more than half a century ago. The outcome was watched by people across the globe, and although it was taken for granted that the Barisan Nasional (United Front) would make it back to form the government, the outcome came as a relatively pleasant surprise.
Led by a man who might now be seen as a lame-duck prime minister, Najib Razak, the BN barely made it to the finish line and actually lost the popular vote, despite a host of populist policies on which it spent money like there was no tomorrow.
Political analysts estimate that since Mr Najib took office in 2009 he has spent as much as $19 billion or about $1,400 per voter. This approach seems to be the norm these days in this part of the world to ensure that your base remembers you at the next election. (Someone might want to calculate the cost per voter in Thailand, excluding outright cash bribes on election day of course.)
Spending on “developing” the economy by the Malaysian government since 2007 has nearly doubled public debt to 53.7% of GDP. But before you start calling BN irresponsible, consider that Anwar Ibrahim’s opposition Pakatan Rakyat (PR) was promising voters benefits that would have cost close to $15 billion annually.
But putting the issue of political benefits from populist policy aside, the close race in the polls is something that should excite most democracy watchers. For a change one can say that democracy is finally gaining a strong foothold in a country that has been ruled by a single party since 1957.
The opposition, claiming to have been robbed of victory by vote-rigging in at least 30 seats, drew 60,000 people last Wednesday to one of the largest protest rallies ever seen in Malaysia. It was passionate but peaceful, and a sign that people from all walks of life are standing up to express their views.
The re-elected premier, meanwhile, was aware of the tide of emotion and eager to show the public he was on the job. Most politicians cool off for a few days after an election but Mr Najib was sworn back into office within 24 hours.
The opposition has said it will not give up and will hold rallies across the country after the highly successful gathering in Kuala Lumpur.
Here in Thailand, we are familiar in recent years with protracted street campaigns by groups claiming that the popular will had been thwarted and a non-representative government put in place. In our case the end was nothing to be proud of, as 91 people lost their lives and hundreds were injured.
Democracy in any country does not come cheap, and most countries in Asia are gradually emerging from what I would call “controlled democracy”. Some have yet to get to that stage.
Thailand has been a good case study over the past three decades. Countries from Singapore to China and others have taken note of the events that helped shape Thailand into what it is today, a more stable country that is able to make decisions and possibly become a leader in its own right.
Singapore’s ruling Lee dynasty and its People’s Action Party know what they are up against, as successive byelections show the public becoming more disenchanted and the opposition gaining. Myanmar in two years will put its fledgling democracy to the test again. Cambodia is holding an election this year, though the outcome there is in no doubt at all.
But the game today is being played in Malaysia, and we as neighbours hope and pray that Mr Najib allows the spirit of democracy to flourish, noisy rallies and all. No one wants to see his country endure the sort of violent crackdown that has happened more than once in Thailand.
After all, having a voice and the ability to express your feeling is the core of any democratic society.
Although protests may have an economic cost, experiencing an economic slowdown for a more democratic society is something that nearly every country has gone through.
The stability that Malaysia has enjoyed since its independence may be tested for a short time, but Mr Najib will have an opportunity to show true leadership by allowing every voice to be heard.