'No Race Card' Code Of Ethics For Politicians, Good Move. But Will Those Who Use It Most, Comply?
Politicians will not be allowed to use the race card under a Code of Ethics being drawn up by a Select Committee. Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili said the code would cover all leaders of political parties, MPs and state assemblymen, and party leaders. “Politicians should air their views with responsibility, with the intention of solving problems rather than to fan racial sentiments and anger.
“They should adopt good political practices for the good of national racial unity. The intention of the Code is to ensure that politicians promote national unity, rather than to restrict them from giving their views or to impede their effectiveness,” he said.
***** Great idea I say! If only it is practical. I'm not overly surprised that the man talking about it is Ongkili. How much clout he has to push this through is doubtful. For one, the greatest abusers of the race card are sitting pretty all over the country and would show no inclination to limit themselves in this strict manner. To be bound by a code which will definitely hamper the use of one of their main weapons, shameless and opportunistic use of the race card and miscellaneous shit-stirring, could be politically unwise and unacceptable.
So before Ongkili embarks on this 'noble' course he should get clearance from 'those' who matter. These are the biggest race baiters and the people who should decide whether the plan is going to work and more importantly if they would strictly comply once it's enforced. Going by past experience I personally feel it's better for him to forget about the whole thing. These chaps are definitely going to continue harping on race for their own selfish political ends and no damn 'Code of Ethics' will make a difference. Besides, the general elections are around the corner. This is the time that armchair warriors normally emerge from the woodwork like so many worms; racist worms in this case.
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Labels: Malaysian Politics., Moral Issues, Racial Intolerance
posted by The Malaysian. at 7/24/2007 11:55:00 AM
7 Comments:
Potentially doomed to failure. It nevertheless, a respectable joke, at most.
Madmonk
Go to the archives and check from day one compiling all incidents of squabbling involving the racial card. Your guess is as good as mine. That arrogant political party should make it into Malaysia book of records.
stanley koh
Good idea, in principal, and I would be very interested to see if it is enforceable. Somehow, I am a bit skeptical, like everyone else, whether or not the ruling would be adhered to...
One can only be optimistic about these things...
already the Kris man said other than UMNOputras, no other could touch on sensitive issues, so, Max's idea was toeing the line, sounds like it.
Sure, no race card. But umno card is allowed.
When a political party has no integrity, what makes you think they will abide to this code of ethics. History and incidences have shown that UMNO is the leading principal actor in playing this racial card among its leaders and elected representatives in Parliament. Who is Ongkili to tell them to stop? Just another PR exercise before the general elections.
So all these hoo-haa about lodging police reports and arrests vis-a-vis accusing others of creating "sensitivities" and threatening racial harmony is completely hypocritical. Reflecting their complete bankruptcy of integrity and morals.
stanley koh
This depends on how the word "race" is interpreted. As it is now, when UMNO politicians play the race card, it is not considered racist. Any other people not belonging to UMNO would just have to shut up, since all other contrary comments would be deemed racists.
Code or no code, what else is new?
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