Malaysia; the bundle of foreign affairs bungle

In a recent conference in Tunisia, many friends from all over the world who espouse principles of Social Justice were sat around a table discussing issues ranging from universal equality for employment to the Israeli-Palestine situation. I felt it crucial that I highlight the plight of my party Chairman, Karpal Singh's recent conviction that is nothing less than a clear case of 'persecution by prosecution' masterminded by the current ruling regime in Malaysia. Malaysia; the invited yet unwelcomed guest Amongst the many who took a particular interest in our Nation was the MAURITIAN MILITANT MOVEMENT (MMM) of Mauritius. No, they are not a Militia group, but a leftist Party whose leader Paul Berenger heads the parliamentary opposition block, who 'Militates for the Mauritian People'. As PM Najib was due visit Mauritius on a trade and commerce mission, and also controversially as the Chief Guest of the Mauritian Independence celebrations, my conversations with the MMM deepened. I was told that as soon as the announcement of Najib reached the Mauritian media, the ire of the masses was drawn. This is an excerpt from a Mauritian French language report by a popular online news portal; " The government doesn't give too much regard to quality when it comes to foreign leaders that it invites. As can be seen, Sasssou Nguesso from Congo in 2011, Gabon's Ali Bongo Ondimba last October, soon Maritius will host another foreign visitor with a poor record of democracy. This Is Najib Razak, PM of Malaysia, who will pay a state visit on March 11 to 13 as a guest of honour at our National Independence celebration. ' The report unreservedly lists out the concerns levelled against PM Najib of gerrymandering, political oppression of opposition, corruption and even cites the Scorpene scandal. But the most stinging comment comes at the ends with "Nonetheless, we still wish the Malaysian guest has a pleasant stay and the Mauritian host fails to adopt his methods." MMM also took a principled stand that it does the Island City State no good to invite the Head of a regime which by all counts had been found to baffle the very tenets of democracy by indulging in gerrymandering prior to the last general elections, thereby stumping the will of the people. In a statement made by Vijay Makhan, former Commissioner of the African Union and Foreign Secretary of Mauritius, now member of the Executive member of the MMM and its foreign Affairs Spokesperson said, "In Mauritius the MMM Opposition, without in any way interfering in the internal political affairs of a sovereign and friendly state, has decried the findings against Karpal Singh as well as against the leader of Opposition Anwar Ibrahim." Salt added to wound All this happened building up to the scheduled visit, which for those familiar with the diplomatic relationship between Malaysia an Mauritius would describe as 'loaded with tension'. A longstanding issue on the bilateral relationship between Malaysia and Mauritius was also brought to the fore, with foreign affairs commentators as well as the Mauritian opposition slamming the BN government for not maintaining a High Commission in Mauritius when Mauritius does in Kuala Lumpur. 'It’s a 'one sided, unreciprocated, poor excuse of a bilateral relationship' says a Mauritian commenter on a French Language online portal. The already strained situation was thrown into a new level of complexity, when the Malaysian Minster of Commerce who went to Mauritius in place of Najib (he had to cancel his visit, citing the MH370 crisis as the reason), was not able to reach a consensus with the Mauritian Kuala Lumpur High Commissioner on the matter of the Malaysian stand on Mauritius' ambitions of playing a more significant role in ASEAN. The talks ended abruptly with the High Commissioner walking out in anger and displeasure. Lessons and wishes to take away Malaysia's political ugliness and its severity, which has hitherto escaped the international political consciousness, must be highlighted more. Frank and open sharing of these can and should a key catalyst in mutual understanding of challenges social democrats face worldwide in the fight for social justice. I vouch to take every chance presented to me, in sharing with the international community the truths about the disgusting, ludicrous, undemocratic, racist, seditious ways of the Malaysian Barisan Nasional Government. This is not to tarnish the name of Malaysia but to leverage on international political support and expertise to help preserve and protect Malaysia from the continued ravagery of the BN government. Several political parties worldwide that are in both government as well as opposition have made very clear stands of condemnation against the political persecution of Karpal Singh and Anwar Ibrahim. We thank the MMM and its leadership for their stand in solidarity and statements of comradeship over the last few weeks. I sincerely hope that this spirit of international togetherness on the struggle against oppression and fight for social justice,will spread wider and deeper, not only when crises arise but also during good times. Though the MMM squarely pins the blame of the embarrassing dialogue on the unacceptable behaviour of their High Commissioner, we as Malaysians must take the soul searching route of asking about the competency and capability of our delegation in these talks. Was the Minister of Commerce not well briefed enough? Was the Minister engaging a topic that is above his station? Did he give a response he was ill prepared for? Is he not sufficiently versed in the Art of International diplomacy? is the minister fit for the job if he's not able to handle such a matter? All these questions MUST be answered by the Malaysian government. Instead of deepening the ties between the two very similar nations, the dialogue have plunged the already straining diplomatic relationship into unprecedented turmoil. In light of all the above revelations, it calls to question of whether or not the PM's cancellation to visit Mauritius had anything to do with the MH370 crisis. Many have also questioned whether it was a mere reaction to the outcry of criticism towards him and the BN's appalling record and fear of 'fear of losing face' was the primary reason. Whilst I welcome the PM's symbolic decision of remaining on home soil whilst the crisis is on-going, I am sickened by his government's poor handling of the crisis. Ultimately, DAP and Malaysians at large are democratically 'being pushed against the wall in a dark alley with no means to defend themselves'. The government doesn't only mess up things at home, but also manages to jeopardise foreign relationships. Through making friends and striking ideological acquaintances abroad, DAP vis-à-visPakatan Rakyat gained an ally such as the MMM. REFORMASI 2.0 had just been announced, it’s about time that the UBAH movements be propelled to its next stage; UBAH 2.0.