The bastion of democracy under threat by the virus. — Bernama file photo
THIS war against the invisible enemy, Covid-19, must end sooner rather than later. The battle front-liners – doctors, nurses and other healthcare personnel – are holding the fort, knowing that the major task of containing the spread of the virus lies in their hands, and for them to be successful, the cooperation of the people in this battle is equally essential. Not least is the crucial role of the Sarawak Disaster Management Committee. Salute to them all.
We must show them that we are doing our part by strictly observing the rules – stay at home, keep physical/social distancing, observe personal hygiene. We can help the front-liners by offering prayers for their safety and that of the members of their families too.
In many countries, scientists have been working hard on the vaccine. Once it is properly tested and safely used in the affected countries, we will see the beginning of the end of restrictions to human movement. And then, maybe, we’ll return to what we old folks used to think of as normal life.
People wanting to visit other countries before the pandemic but were unable to do so, can start making travel plans as soon as the pandemic is receding. We need the chance to revive the tourism industry, which has been badly hit by governmental measures; these are necessary, if the spread of the virus is to be contained.
To return to the previous life is not easy, if not impossible; everybody will have to lead a life called the new normal, a new culture of doing and saying things. I don’t know how exactly I will lead that new normal life. Going to virtual church, buying fish and vegetables online, participating in seminars by Zoom – are these routine activities part of the new normal?
Democracy undermined
Like any war, the coronavirus pandemic will have its aftermath. About this, I read an article which was published by The Washington Post. Something in there worries me. According to the writers, associate professors Cristina Bodea and Christian Houle, at the Political Science department of Michigan State University, USA, the ‘long-term coronavirus fallout could erode democracy’.
There would also be side-effects of the pandemic on the lives of peoples in the affected countries, as a consequence, to a small or large extent.
Although the democracy, in this context, directly relates to the system of government of the Americans, for the Americans, and by the Americans, the ways of life of many non-Americans will similarly be affected, especially those living in the countries which consider themselves democratic.
Democratic freedom undermined
The researchers have also found that in countries like Brazil, Hungary, India, Israel, and the Philippines, there has been deterioration of democracy, alleging that the leaders of these countries have taken advantage of the ‘health emergency to centralise power and reduce democratic freedoms’. That is a real concern for the advocates of the freedom of speech or of the Press – the fundamentals of democracy – that they are about to lose. They are concerned over the propensity of politicians in power to exploit the health crisis for holding on to power as long as possible.
Income inequality increased, social mobility reduced
Another theory expounded by the two professors is that the economic downturns in the USA tend to increase income inequality. They refer specifically to the American situation: the economic disparities among the economic classes/ethnic groups (Blacks and Latinos) in the USA are being exacerbated.
In terms of social mobility, they write, “Directly, the lower economic growth and unemployment spikes that characterise economic crises have a more severe effect on low-skill, low-income individuals.” As many countries have adopted the American way of life, these bad side-effects on democracy as a system of government will be felt also among the people who have lost jobs and incomes from their businesses, not to mention the psychological effect on their health. These are in the millions throughout those afflicted countries.
In other words, the poor in such countries are getting poorer. The irony, however, is that American billionaires are befitting from the pandemic, according to media reports. If this is true, that would be the mother of all ironies. However, let’s get more details of the studies before anyone can comment any further.
Based on their findings, Bodea and Houle suggest that addressing income inequality will become an increasingly important component of government pandemic aid packages – painfully obvious. Measures to address this disparity have been in place, tried out all these years in many developing countries but all have not been spectacularly successful, not even in America. In Malaysia, we are full of five-yearly plans: now we are working on the wording of the 11th Development Plan. They are great plans.
In terms of the economic measures to repair the damage done to the economy by the pandemic, many countries have reserved big sums of money available to those affected by the economic downturns. Malaysia too has adopted this strategy. Billions of ringgit have been earmarked for revive its economy. Whether or not the money will eventually reach the target groups is another matter altogether. Hopefully, everyone who deserves to get help will get it, according to their needs.
The Malaysian government has done what any responsible government in the world would do about handling an economic crisis. In this context, we are not doing too badly in terms of addressing the economic woes of the people. We will see the end results of such measures soon enough. Somebody will raise the question if everybody has got a piece of the pie. Wait for the report of the Auditor General.
What about the threat to democracy itself?
Malaysia will overcome the challenge of the coronavirus pandemic if regular elections to the federal and state legislatures are held regularly, freely, and fairly, even during the pandemic; if the rule of law and the constitution are being observed always by most Malaysians. We shall overcome economic woes if our natural and human resources are properly managed and the common wealth is equitably distributed; if democracy is allowed to flourish. Happy days would be here again if Covid-19 is defeated, and if the carriers in the second or third wave are totally banned from entering Sarawak.
Comments can reach the writer via [email protected].