Democracy is Dead in Malaysia

The term democracy no longer connotes any
significance if the freedom to say the truth is
rewarded with a punishment.A government that demands
absolute loyalty from its cabinet members irrespective
whether it is right or wrong cannot fundamentally
pretend to espouse democracy.At best it can only
pretend to be one.Western style democracy especially
the Westminister type demands that ministers in the
cabinet or parliamentarians are expected to speak on
issues that they feel is in contradiction or is
contrary to their expectations.
It is therefore not uncommon for members of the
same party to break ranks in order to voice their
opposition to certain govt. policy as in the case of
Labour Ministers and parliamentarians speaking out
against the U.k govt's involvement in the Iraq war.
So when Deputy Minister Sothinathan was
suspended for breaking rank and speaking against the
govt. on an issue that affected the interest of a
section of the malaysian public, the suspension marks a
sad day for our fledgeling democracy.If a member of
the govt whether he be a minister or backbencher
cannot speak out on issues that he feels is against
the interest of its citizens then democracy is dead.