In past few days, Malaysia has
experienced an event that no one has thought about it in recent times. The statement
made by Prime Minister, Najib Tun Razak in Johore on the Citizens’ Declaration initiated
by his former mentor, Tun Dr Mahathir together with his former Deputy, Muhyiddin
Yassin indicates that Malaysian politics in the verge of entering a new
horizon. Revolt within a political collision or party is a norm. In past it’s
happened to all parties in Malaysia from UMNO, MCA, MIC, DAP, PKR and so on.
But what was never happened before is what is happening now. Foes become
friends and allies become enemies.
This event allows to me to
revisit the notion of natural law and rhythms cycles theory.
According to the American Heritage Dictionary,
natural law means ‘a law or body of laws that derives from nature and is
believed to be binding upon human actions apart from or in conjunction with
laws established by human authority.’
Natural law is associates with
the theory of karma i.e. good deeds are rewarded but bad deeds will be
punished.
Further, Aquinas, one of the most
famous natural law theorists stated, ‘Law is a dictate of reason from the ruler
for the community he rules. This dictate of reason is first and foremost within
the reason or intellect of the ruler. It is the idea of what should be done to
insure the well-ordered functioning of whatever community the ruler has care
for.’
He summarized that the ruler or
the government has the priority to fulfill the needs of the people and that’s
should be the fundamental condition for them to adhere with. He added that if
one fails on this, the nature will take it cause by punishing or removing the
said ruler or government.
In addition, rhythms cycles
theory which discuss the fall and rise of empires or political parties is propagated
by Immanuel Wallerstein. In this theory, once the regimes achieved the optimum
rise and its start to fall. Therefore to be relevant to the society as whole
the said regimes will engage with mere fear, aggressive and oppressive tactics
to stop the waves of discontentment. Unfortunately, the nature will not allow these
regimes which are in power to be remaining in power forever.
By explaining his theory he said that
all the empires like Mughal Dynasty, British Empire and Germany Supremacy had
gone through this process. Meanwhile political parties like Kuomintang in
Taiwan, LDP in Japan, Labour Party in UK and Republican Party in USA had the
similar experiences.
Further he said, this process is
cannot be dismantle. It’s a requirement of the nature and both theories are
inter-related. If someone had done good deeds, the possible outcome will be a
reward. The fall of Marcos and Suharto indicate that they are overthrown by
their own people because of their transgressions. Meanwhile, the retirement of Lee Kuan Yew and Nelson
Mandela from politics allow them to be regarded as statesmen globally because
of their contributions to their nation and world.
From the international relations perspective, the
decline of American supremacy and the rise of China and Russia are based on
this theory. Even though USA is currently regarded as a sole superpower but its
dependency on China has evidenced its reluctance to get involved directly with
South China Sea conflict.
In a nutshell, the pattern of the
events that happening in our country in past two years, the disposition of people is
changed considerably because of the high handed measures which were detrimental
to the nation as a whole. Therefore the transformation is preordained. The
changes are inevitable. But whether this transformation will brings positive
outcome or not, only the history will determine.
Let’s wait and see.
Kuala Lumpur.
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