CPI Writings

Friends have asked me what prompted the extraordinary hatchet job that Dr Chandra Muzaffar attempted on the Bersih 3.0 movement and its leaders in his recent article misleadingly titled ‘Bersih and the Quest for Human Rights’ published in various media.

What was in the article that could be of academic or scholarly value to warrant any close reading? Those attracted by the title may have expected an article on how the quest for human rights in Malaysia may have taken on fresh urgency given the police manhandling of the demonstrators and media, and the many instances of violation of democratic rights.

In the internet and mainstream media, the issue of police brutality has become the main focus and memory of demonstrators and the Malaysian public. That could have been a topic that Dr Chandra – in defending the status quo – could have brought fresh insights from a human rights perspective.

However, he chose not to do so. Instead he churned out a propagandistic piece praising the political reforms undertaken as well as aimed at demonizing the Bersih leaders and its supporters from the opposition.

His reminder about the “degree of integrity in the electoral process” and the fact that there is no electoral process in the world that is totally free of blemish is quite a turn-around. The Chandra of old that I remember was lucid, scathing and critical of the lopsided electoral playing field in favour of the Barisan Nasional and the formidable array of dirty tricks, including mal-apportionment and gerrymandering, it used to win elections.

This includes control of the mainstream mass media that is now unsurprisingly keen to publish any piece that Dr Chandra provides – certainly a far cry from past practice when he was with Aliran or the opposition.

In my numerous conversations with him during the 16 years that we were friends and colleagues at Universiti Sains Malaysia, we talked and shared similar views of the unfair and un-free electoral process and also of BN’s manipulation of the system that enabled it to hold on to power indefinitely.

Today, Dr Chandra seems to have changed his view on the ruling party and many issues in the country, including that of the state of civil liberties. According to him, “[I]t is an irrefutable fact that through these legislative reforms [Peaceful Assembly Act, ISA repeal, etc] the space and scope for the expression and articulation of human rights has been expanded and enhanced as never before.”

That “irrefutable fact”, as Dr Chandra terms it, is not irrefutable. It needs the passage of time and confirmation from the ground to ascertain what has been gained and whether the reforms are substantive or simply cosmetic to pre-empt regime change. Sweeping or grandstanding statements such as the one above made by him are premature and smack of political partisanship.

Should Dr Chandra, after conducting rigorous social science research – publish the results of his work confirming this “irrefutable fact”, it may perhaps help convince sceptics that there has been “far reaching changes to political and civil liberties.”

In the meantime, his pronouncements on the changes in the country are less convincing and less thoughtful than the one below, which could have come from the pen of the Chandra of old.

Excerpts from Muaz Omar: ‘Claiming back our freedom’ (The Malaysian Insider, 3 May 2012)

As the nation and its people developed and progressed, Umno has dragged its feet, not wanting to accept that the social and political fabric has changed.

They are trapped in their old ways continuing their archaic doctrine of oppression, rampant corruption and abuse of power as well as propagating religious and racial tensions.

Half-hearted and watered-down transformation policies by Prime Minister Najib Razak failed to diminish the desire of Malaysians for a better deal.

The people are not impressed by the lack of political will.

This resulted in the resounding success of Bersih 3.0 on April 28 in Kuala Lumpur and 80 other cities around the world.

Hundreds of thousands, mostly young, of all races attended the gathering in Kuala Lumpur peacefully until the riot police took action.

Ordinary Malaysians were beaten up and tear-gassed. Even local and foreign media personnel were manhandled, some with their equipment destroyed and confiscated.

This black mark on Malaysian democracy reaffirms concerns that Najib lacks the desire or the will to reform.

His much-touted Peaceful Assembly Act did not provide any democratic civil rights to the people but is used to forcefully maintain the hegemony of his own party.

In short, Najib continues to engage in repressive and authoritarian tactics of former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

The tenacity as well as desire of Malaysians for substantive change was evident during the rally.

As Najib and Umno-BN leaders try to downplay and dismiss this demand by shifting blame and pointing fingers, Pakatan Rakyat needs to listen closely to Malaysians and not misread or take for granted their desire for change.

The people swarmed the capital with the intent of claiming back their freedom; they are tired, they are fed-up, and they are angry.

My final problem with Dr Chandra’s article is its unprecedented attack on some of the Bersih and opposition activists as “frauds and hypocrites without any sincere commitment to freedom and democracy.” According to him, “[t]hrough their politics of deceit and duplicity, they continue to manipulate mass sentiments for their own diabolical agenda.” These are strong accusations, going beyond even what the BN leaders have said.

Who are these people that he describes as frauds and hypocrites? It is unethical to hide under the cover of generalization in making these allegations.

Besides the requirement of naming them, Dr Chandra should realize that as a social scientist he must provide evidence to prove his argument that they are frauds and hypocrites. What actions have they engaged in to deserve such demonizing from a senior social scientist holding the esteemed position of Noordin Sopiee Professor of Global Studies?

Has he conducted any interviews with the Bersih leaders to get them to explain their positions? Or has he found them guilty without bothering to speak to them?

Is this the view of key independent respondents such as those who took part in the rallies? Or is this the view of the larger population? Or perhaps is it the view of some of the BN leaders?

These and a myriad of other questions need to be answered by Dr Chandra. Otherwise he will be seen as another BN mouthpiece out to score cheap points and using the cloak of academic position to bolster his politically biased opinion.

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Comments (13)

• 06-05-2013 | Anonymous

  One could assume that C, unlike his respectable past, has now chosen to be a despicable mercenary writer for the disrespected ruling forces, hence tarnishing his academic reputation and that of institution in the academic area he professes. It is still not too late for C to reverse his actions and become once again a useful member of our society badly in need of real political change. The choice is his.

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• 28-03-2013 | JLancelot  - A disgrace

  When he was with Aliran, his articles were rational and balanced and I used to recommend them to others. Since joining Yayasan 1Malaysia, he regurgitates garbage each time he speaks and his articles tend to be biased and skewed. A disgrace to the illustrious name of Noordin Sopiee and USM.

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• 11-05-2012 | s.s.seelan

  HE IS A WORM AND HE WILLDIE AS ONE!! I like!!!!

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• 04-05-2012 | Leithaisor

  Heaven and earth. That's what I think the difference is when one compares Chandra Muzzafar with Dr Syed Husin Ali.

  One has stooped so low and "sold his soul" that many may go as far as to "spit in his face".

  Another who holds a position of high esteem in the hearts of many, when ISA could not break him, and chose to suffer the dirty tactics of the government via its various channels rather than accept the juicy offerings of those who sought to buy his integrity.

  And far from what Edwin SJ Ng opined, I don't think even UMNO listens to Chandra. Some may hear his words, but only to see if their lap dog is barking properly; I do not think anyone bothers to try to find anything worthwhile in his words.

  Chandra still has a good brain in his head. And in his heart, he must surely be rueing the day he chose the dark path he took. There must be many demons tormenting him in his quiet hours.

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• 04-05-2012 | siva  - sack the bugger

  USM shd sack Chandra for disgracing the university with his slanderous article. Under pretense of academic freedom, the bugger is trying to bodek the BN into renewing his contract. He has done no academic work worth mention and has simply rehashed his old work but with a 360 degree turn in his target. I repeat - sack the useless fellow who is bringing the university into disrepute. Professor of Global Studies - my foot! More like Professor of Bull shit

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• 04-05-2012 | razali  - Chandra is Goebbels follower

  Kudos to Dr. Lim for taking on Chandra and exposing his deceit and duplicity.

  The silence from Bersih's leaders in response to Chandra's piece may be tactical but it is a mistake and they need to speak out.

  C is a propagandist steeped in the Goebbals technique : he confines himself to a few points and repeats them over and over.
  
  “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it"

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• 04-05-2012 | Eddie See  - Circumstantial victim

  I have utmost respect for Chandra when he was my professor in USM.

  It is most unfortunate, under the circumstances, he has to trade beliefs and values for a living and agenda. I have come to terms that education for intellectual discourse ends miserably; and education must impart skills for a living of choice. When you depend on corrupt government for a living, your values become tainted.

  I feel sorry for such a circumstantial victim.

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• 04-05-2012 | Sam

  Chandra is an academic who has sold his soul for his present position and paycheck.
  He is no better than the likes of Ibrahim Ali, Zulfikli Nordin, etc. A despicable soul.
  This man will even glorify the devil if that will bring him prosperity and positions.
  On Channel News Asia he literally worshipped Najib as a demi-god sent to save Malaysia.
  After his ISA arrest he changed his skin colour.
  He is a worm and he will die like one.

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• 04-05-2012 | sentimental me

  "... [t]hrough their politics of deceit and duplicity, they continue to manipulate mass sentiments for their own diabolical agenda...."

  Those attributes actually describe the BN. There's waste and duplicity in just about every aspect of BN rule on public spending. The education budget could well have been appropriately allocated but for dubious activities of a range of bodies, BTN being one. Others are a slew of religious bodies. You could go through the rest.

  For mass sentiment it has been breached by BN. That MF rat Rais and his ugly bald sucks real bad in RTM and the crony media. If that's not enough they use public funds for APCO, perhaps due to lack of contribution from the great Muzaffar.

  Bersih appeals to mass sentiment in open manner more so than the excellent craftsmanship of Ananda's censor boys in pursuance of BN's need. Why do BN's guys like Muzaffar panic at the thought and practice of governance and transparency?

  The so-called shameful BN initiated reforms is further deceit or hasn't Chandra realized that?

  Isn't this enough charade without further needless self flagellation?

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• 04-05-2012 | Navina

  How time has changed a man. From a respected activist of yesteryears, Chandra Muzzafar's credibility is slowly sinking to a new low. His face must now be close to the ground, ready to lick the feet of his master.That's how low he stoops to his new master- UMNO. Is it worth it Chandra?
  

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• 04-05-2012 | Steve Oh  - Those who see through jaundiced eyes are nothing m

  Well done Prof Lim for your timely countervailing response, if anything, for the record.

  You judge a tree by its fruit and what has CM achieved for the cause of freedom and justice?

  What is worse than a jaundiced view is its publication and what can be worse than a propagandist posing as an intellectual and freedom fighter?

  The consolation is no one takes Chandra Mustaffar seriously these days, certainly not those who uphold the truth and justice of what is taking place in Malaysia.

  Between Bersih's leader Ambiga Serenevasen and Chandra Mustaffar guess who is the chalk and who is the cheese?

  Ambiga is named among the Women of Courage, an honour that Hilary Clinton passed on to congratulate her. What is her slanderer best known for? I rest my case.

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• 04-05-2012 | Anonymous

  Dr Chandra has allowed his intellect to sink to the level of the likes of Ibrahim Ali and his ilk. Why he has allowed this to happen is a matter of speculation and conjecture to most. But what is evident is that he no longer speaks as an intellectual but more as a party hack. That is what is most regretted for someone of his caliber and previous distinguished works, is that he has wasted his career away.

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• 04-05-2012 | Edwin SJ Ng

  It is always about money.So called intellectuals will sell their their soul for money. Money can change people's tune.

  An intellectual with no honour or integrity is the worst kind of human animal on planet earth when he sings his tune for money.

  And Chandra is no different.

  Today, only UMNO will listen to him. Others,with just some common sense know where his next meal is coming from.

  It is called survival.

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