MAJORITY MUST NOT TYRANNISE MINORITY

 “Majority must not tyrannise minority” was mind-blogging news headline in Borneo Post dated 24.11.10. The main gist of the statement made by Tan Sri Alfred Jabu seemed to refer to the “smoke and heats” from “outsiders” blowing  into Sarawak. Figuratively, the situation was akin an Iban’s simile: “Nyau enda tan ditepok asap, pansut landak mantai ka baga” which literally means : “unable to stand the smoke, a porcupine has to come out from its (hideout) hole and speaks”.

It is not wrong to say that his statement [quote: ... it’s always better to discuss issues that help rather than dwell on matters that hinders society.” unquote] showed real concern on his part which I assumed also representing the concerns of many Sarawakians in silence over tendency of religious and political extremism being uttered openly which would be counter-productive in promoting 1Malaysia.

While there is much to be admired, Tan Sri’s  open-ended remarks left one to wonder and ask further “who were the majority?”; “who were the minority?”, and “how would the majority tyrannise the minority?”. Was it then prelude to the current spates of state-federal relationship over the ‘rightful’ choice of successor to Pehin Ser Taib who has been the Chief Minister for more than thirty years? Let there be smooth transition of power without any need for majority to tyrannise minority.

“MACC investigation will clear CM, says Rundi”- was Borneo Post news headline dated 11.06.11. The Assistant Minister also said wisely “We cannot prejudice whatever it is”.

POWER

It is interesting to note the creation and multiplication of wealth as the prime source of creating, welding, sustaining and perpetuating political dominance. That explains the great tendency and reasons (or temptations) for any one in abusing of power in going about wealth creation in the name of economic and country development. So it is said:  power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. According to John Kenneth Galbraith [in his book entitled: “The Anatomy of Power”],   there are two types of power. (a) “Condign Power” wins submission by inflicting or threatening adverse consequences, and (b) “Compensatory power” wins submission by offer of affirmative rewards - giving of something of value to the individuals so submitting.


[NOTE: For interested reader(s), the nature of the operating mechanisms connected with the two types of power are explained in the book purchaseable from Amazon.com]