Social Contract

A vital piece of history that affects Malaysians from every strata of society is the social contract. To debate on its very existence and everything's that's connected to it, Bar Council of Malaysia organised a forum on June 28 2008. The details are as the following:

Title: The Social Contract

Speakers: Dr Mavis Puthucheary

Dr Kua Kia Soong

Dr Farish A Noor

Tommy Thomas

Having heard from the learned speakers, this is my notion on the social contract. The social contract is an agreement amongst the founding fathers of Malaya resulting in the contract to be enshrined in the Federal Constitution. However due to ultras within political circles what was enshrined and agreed upon was never turned into action. The inaction of the civil administration as well as the failure of UMNO to lead by upholding the social contract has led to conditions.

I am what I am, is a result of these chauvinistic thinking politicians in the government.

P.S. I was a passive audience simply because duty calls.

Commenting on the forum, Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi in a press conference (Buletin Utama, 29 June 2008) stated that there is no need for such a forum to be held since component parties within the BN has been having good relations with one another. In addition, the contract has already been agreed upon.

Mr PM, I beg to differ. Had UMNO upheld the contract it would not have been the “Big Brother” in the BN, toeing its coalition partners. Had BN upheld the contract, it would not have performed badly in the 12th general election.