After the recent general election, the Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad had said that Malaysians were not mature in practising democracy. He said that in the West, the people rallied together after an election but in Malaysia they become more polarised.
This is exactly what Rustam Ali is doing - an agent of polarisation among the people instead of being an agent for unity.
Rustam Ali should put a halt to his political witch-hunt against lawyers, doctors, architect, surveyors, valuers and even banks whose staff support the opposition, as such a political persecution sets a most dangerous precedent inimical to the healthy growth of a vibrant democracy in the country.
It is all the more surprising that such a politics of hatred and vengeance should come from a person who had once led the World Assembly of Youths (WAY), thus bringing international disrepute not only to the country but to the youths of Malaysia!
Instead of practising the politics of hatred, division and vengeance, Rustam Ali should have used his previous experience as President of WAY which united youths all over the world under its wing to respect the democratic right of Malaysians to support the political party of their choice and not to discriminate against anyone for their political beliefs.
Rustam Ali should realise that as Chief Minister of Malacca, he has a special responsibility to unite the people regardless of their political beliefs instead of his present propensity to polarise the state population. It is time Rustam Ali shows greater understanding and acceptance of the principles of parliamentary democracy.
(16/3/2000)