Saifuddin gesa politik integriti ganti budaya fitnah, mengampu

Former Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah has called for a shift in Malaysian politics from a culture of manipulation, fitnah, and political manipulation to one that emphasizes integrity and accountability. In a piece titled "Demokrasi Matang vs Demokrasi Malang" published in Sinar Harian's Cross-Regional section, Abdullah emphasized the need for a scientific, wise, and loyal approach as the foundation for transforming the country's political system.

Abdullah stressed that the current democratic system is plagued by issues such as bribery, political patronage, and the misuse of law, as well as the candidacy of weak candidates, elitist politics, dynasties, and patronage campaigns. He identified these problems as indicative of a "democratic malaise," demonstrating how individuals who have seized power through democratic processes can subsequently use their positions to undermine democracy itself.

In order to combat political manipulation, bribery, fitnah, and voter manipulation, Abdullah proposed a new governance framework that includes open and targeted discussions involving representatives from all three development sectors (politics, government, private sector, and civil society). He argued that such discussions should be held in order to establish a foundation for building a more robust democracy in Malaysia.

Furthermore, Abdullah highlighted the importance of respecting the diversity of ethnicities, religions, and regions while fostering simple habits in life, including politics. He reiterated that a truly strong democracy requires not only political, governmental, and economic sectors but also the civil society to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaboration.