Fast food democracy
Elizabeth Wong : 13th Floor
When Anwar Ibrahim was released last week, there was no end to questions of whether his release signals the return of democracy and whether our judiciary is now finally independent.
A veteran rights activist remarked to some of us in jest that ‘we have democracy now’. It was the first time we have had a demonstration in an air conditioned place, as we stood shoulder to shoulder with thousands of reformists and well-wishers at the airport to catch a glimpse of Anwar.
Everyone loves a quick fix but sadly there isn’t such a thing as instant democracy. As much as we would like there to be, just as much as we adore our instant noodles, there needs to be a lot more ingredients to fill us up than the release of our most famous political prisoner.
After all, if Aung San Suu Kyi is released from house arrest, do we pat the backs of the generals for a job well-done and declare that democracy has returned to Burma? (more…)
