COMMENT | When even Isma thinks our political system is broken...

COMMENT | I was intrigued to read an article by Malaysian Muslim Solidarity (Isma) president Aminuddin Yahaya entitled “It is time for us to move towards a system of semi-democracy.”

I learned that he and I both feel that there is a disease infecting our system of democracy in Malaysia today.

While it was not at all surprising that we almost completely disagree about how this disease should be treated, I was surprised that we agree somewhat regarding the nature of this disease.

I also came across another article written by a bright young man from Islamic NGO Ikram, Muhammad Saufy Rohmad, in which he argued that we need a completely new brand of politics.

I myself have been arguing a similar line for many months now, and it is encouraging to see more and more people start to express variations on a key theme - Malaysia needs deep and systemic overhauls.

The way we’ve done things is clearly keeping us mired in a swamp where we are all stuck replaying 30-year-old political battles, and a culture of every man for himself.

Through all the selfish greed, sound, and fury, the nation is stuck in the mud, going nowhere fast.

What is fascinating and motivating for me is that...