REVIVAL OF COMMUNISM
by K.Siladass
There
is a call to resist the revival of Communism in this country. Communism was
popular (clandestinely popular) in many parts of the world in the beginning of
and up to the time requiem mass was said, in the now defunct Soviet Union on
the Boxing Day of 1991. We cannot ignore the fact that this sudden attention
towards Communism is indeed baffling; because, Communism is not an attractive
political ideology anymore. There is ample evidence that the anti-Communist feeling
has always been strong especially when the issue of God and religion come into
play or freedom of thoughts seem inevitable. Because, just like religious
indoctrination, communism too believe in similar process, to keep its adherents
in tow. Aside that, British colonialism did not tolerate communism in any of
its colonies especially in Malaysia, although it had no qualms with the
existence of that movement in its own country. In the current political and global
scenario there has been significant shift against communism.
If
we look at the development of Communism in other countries we could see that,
where democratic rights are not suppressed and oppression is not the order of
the day, Communism seems not to have been an attractive ideology.
In
the Indian state of Kerala, Communist party was voted in to form the State government
in 1957. In subsequent elections the party had mixed fortunes - winning and
losing. There were also other Indian States where communism was popular but it
is no longer the case. The Indian communists are divided, and their popularity
had been declining. And they are not a force in India anymore, as they used to
be decades ago.
Soviet
Union which adopted communism after the First World War, ceased to be a
Communist State. East European countries have discarded communism. What
happened? Communism could not flourish in a country where the people are able
to voice their grievances, and freedom of thought has not been abused or denied,
and democracy is respected and is allowed to function.
It
is clear that, Communism cannot survive in a country where there is freedom,
and the freedom we are talking about is social-economic freedom and freedom of
thought and expression, which in turn, assure the people a non-corrupt
government, absence of abuse of power; no State inspired racial and religious
discrimination. These are the essential qualities that defeated communism
everywhere although Malaysia is deficient in all these qualities. Fear in God
has also been a decisive factor but not the sole factor. If Malaysia could
understand this and act, there is no chance for communism to rise like the
mythical phoenix.
Don't
look for a fight with them when they no longer exist: to do so is akin to shadow
boxing; instead, introduce economic reforms, respect human rights, honour human
values and dignity. A dead communism can never be revived.
It
is in fact easy to whip up communistphobia to distract the people from the
actual issues that are plaguing the country. The government should not cry
wolf, and there should not be any attempt to create fear, which could give the
government reason to unleash repressive measures.
Just
look at the way political opponents were dealt with in Nazi Germany.
On
January 30, 1933, Adolf Hilter was named the Chancellor of Germany. The
following day, Joseph Goebbels recorded in his diary of the meeting he had had with
Hitler when the threat by communists of a revolution was discussed. But, since
nothing had happened, it was best not to take any action, they decided. The
Bolshevik’s attempt at revolution must first burst into flames. If it could not
be provoked, might it not have to be invented? (See William L. Shirer. The Rise
and Fall of the Third Reich, pages 190-191). It can be seen that the Nazis with
the aim of destroying the communists were prepared to invent circumstances to
give them the necessary grounds to take action against them. We are also told
that the fire which destroyed the German Reichstag (Parliament) was the work of
the Nazis, but the communists were blamed. (See William Shirer above at page
191).
In
the late forties upto the time when Malaysian Communist Party (MCP) signed the
Accord with Malaysian Government, our politics was centred around anti-communism.
Anything said against the government was branded as communist inspired. The demonisation
exercise of political opponents was effectively carried out. But, those days
are gone; communism has not any place in our country, and it cannot be our way of
political life. If new lesson is needed, look at Hong Kong, where communism has
not been able to gain a foothold? There the cry for greater freedom, is loud
and clear. We too want our basic freedoms enshrined in our constitution not
only honoured but protected.
Therefore,
the present Communist revival-fear could be a ploy for fulfilling some other
objectives. There is something more
sinister than that what is being represented. It seems that Communistphobia is
being resurrected to speed up race and religious based programmes. These are
the sinister elements we ought to be very careful. Malaysians will never love
communism, but they will fight for their promised constitutional rights.
Fortify
and respect the constitutional guarantees, Malaysia will have a perfect
Parliamentary democracy. It is when the powers to be ignore basic human rights,
evil forces gain upperhand. That should be prevented.
Date:
21.01.2020
