The current spate between the current and the former Prime Ministers could be easily resolved. Just show us the files. Abdullah did it with the Approved Permits, there seems little reason not to follow that precedent. Because until we see the files, it's going to be the word of one heavyweight against the word of the other. And the general public is going to end up losing faith not only in them but also in the system, a system which seems systematic only in its failure to prevent its own abuse.
Politically, both men are being wounded by the posturing. But only Abdullah has the power to stop the pain, and to ensure that similar issues are not exploited for political ends in future. Its the power to initiate and bring into being legislation.
Abdullah isn't in an easy position. His best friends are eyeing him with distrust, the NGOs he has so assiduously courted are concerned that they are seeing too few results. The only institutional change that is on the books is the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) and some recent changes to the Legal Professions Act, there's little new in terms of tackling corruption, protection for whistle-blowers, or even, administratively, making it easier for political NGOs to register as non-profit societies rather than companies. And the actions that we see belie the words. Rather than liberalisation of religion, the State is intruding further into people's private lives. Books and films are being banned, sometimes in extraordinary ways. The administration claims to be inviting criticism, but then has taken action against the most vocal of the critics, the Chinese media. And he's suffering a legitimacy deficit. We all know how he came to power. It wasn't through the will of the people, or even the will of Umno, but the will of Dr Mahathir. Now that support, that fount of his legitimacy, has been withdrawn.
But, as said before, he is holding the trump. He is the one in power. After years of centralising affairs into the office of the PM, Dr Mahathir is now suffering from a lack of Parliamentary sovereignty.
One of the first things Abdullah has to do, is show us, not just tell us, that he is right. Show us the papers, show us the agreements. And then show us just how different your regime is. Agree to allow all future, and past, documents to come under the spotlight. Disarm not only this conflict, but any other conflicts that this or any other rival might instigate.
This can be done through a Freedom of Information Act. It empowers the citizen, not just the politician, to ask informed questions of their elected representatives. No more political mileage could be made over the Approved Permits, MAS, Matrade or sand for Singapore. If Dr Mahathir alleges that bad deals have been struck, we'll be able to look into the archives and agree, or not. Neither Abdullah nor Mahathir (nor Daim, Rafidah, Anwar or anyone else) will be able to hide behind the Official Secrets Act.
This is not just vital to breaking Mahathir's stride (and assuring that, if all Abdullah's administration says is true, he won't be able to get into stride again). It is also vital for the PM to show that he is serious about his election promises, serious about tackling corruption, about openness and transparency. Because right now, the civil servant is only ever penalised when they reveal information, when they act on the Government's pledge to be transparent and open. They aren't penalised for keeping secrets. A Freedom of Information Act reverses this, providing incentives for transparency and openness, and lifting the veil on corruption and secrecy.
If Abdullah wants Dr Mahathir to run out of ammunition, and places that stock it, this initiative would be equivalent to permanent disarmament.
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