Written by: Averroes
The term Deep State is quite unfamiliar to some people, but it had been raised by former Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad as there are strands of allegations in nexus with the civil service, with the plot of toppling the Pakatan Harapan Government. He boldly states that if there were to be such a Hidden State with a subliminal scheme of jeopardising the country, they shall not treat with cordiality but will be suppressed. He did acknowledge such accusation had occurred when he was the 5th Prime Minister.
There were questions on whether the Secretary-General of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Ministry, Datuk Mohd Sallehhuddin Hassan was concomitant to the Deep State. The former Prime Minister was skeptical and further investigations are needed. If we were to bury deeper, this Deep State that is supplanted tacitly in the government poses a serious threat to the administering of the country as any efforts, policies, promises and executive performances of the government would lay vulnerable and in shackles from the interference of these silent players.
So, the question is what is the Deep State and who are they?
Deep State is usually seen as when there is an orchestra of coordinated efforts by the civil service to brittle the government's position. The Civil Service or Public Services consists of many categories in Malaysia as we can refer to article 132 of the Malaysian Federal Constitution. These groups are sometimes aspired on ideological sentiments of ethno-religious hegemony, special interest and cultural normatives. They may use various of methods to achieve the desired goal, be it through the compulsion of coercive force or through leaks and pandering on social media. The 1MDB question was exposed from the people within the Deep State shadows.
We may view this when Kevin Morais, a DPP was unceremoniously murdered whom was said to have evidence and information related to the 1MDB hypothesis. This single man part of the Public Service may as well bring down the previous BN government and its leaders silently and swiftly, though his life was sacrificed along the way. This is a theory as it could be connected with the Deep State.
In the United States, social media is the forefront weapon to confront President Donald Trump. Surprisingly, even before his election there were already efforts to reduce his supremacy and legitimate power with the fabrication of fake news and leaked information regarding him.
Malaysia provides statistics of 1.6 million civil servants (early as February, 2020) who may have undergone a secret motive to drag down the former PH government. Among countries that were ravaged by this Deep State are Pakistan, Thailand and Turkey are parallel states with politically influential military echelons. Thailand is known for their military junta to install Military General Prayut Chan-O-Cha as Prime Minister with the imposition of an interim constitution, wielding excessive powers to the military and police. This political landscape is still engulfed as there is a friction between the red and yellow shirts.
Same goes with Egypt with the removal of President Mohamed Morsi (MP of the Muslim Brotherhood) in 2013 by Abdul Fattah Al-Sisi, because of a similar military coup where he died in prison while on death-row, though later overturned. He was the first democratically elected President, deposing Hosni Mubarak in 2011. His downfall was the result of languid economic reforms and his decrees on granting excessive powers of the President and uplifting the Muslim Brotherhood tentatively. Around 1,000 people had died in the streets to return him back to power. Later, the Muslim Brotherhood was defined as a terrorist organisation.
In Turkey, many journalists, academics, officials, businessmen and human rights activists faces demise. In January 2007, an Armenian journalist, Hrant Dink was murdered, Orhan Pamuk a writer was given death threats and there had been chary terrorist activities and unsolved violent attacks on the Alevi and other minorities. This is quite clear that there is some sense of Deep State which the group responsible for this had done so discretely under the guise of the ultra-nationalistic, arch-Kemalist authoritarian and branches of bureaucrats, lawyers, troops, police personnel and criminals alike. They all stand up to ignite the spirit of secularism, nationalism and the authoritative imagery of the Turkish Republic.
Though, Malaysia does not have such history as we have successfully ousted terrorist groups such as Al-Maunah, Jemaah Islamiah, ISIS, the Sulu invaders or our own Police and Armed Forces.
Among other examples that could possibly be cited as the operation of the Deep State is when 86 Malays were arrested for suspiciously linked to the Islamic State group and the 12 Indian Malaysians whom are alleged to be associated with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Though, the result of their actions needs to be determined to ascertain whether they are illusory or real threats to national security.
When national security plays a pivotal role, the government would rely on the experience and dedication of the Police or Special Branch which is due to the government's desperation of political prowess to seek the protection and support from them. From there, the police can provide convincing arguments toward the government so that SOSMA 2012, would remain to apprehend individuals labelled with security threats, weakening the role of the government. Perhaps even usurp the government, becoming a Police-State through their active involvement with government affairs.
More instances where the position of Islam, the Special Rights of the Malays and the Sultanate System are challenged, these clandestine groups would operate underground to spread rumors and hearsay to further degenerate the image of the government and incite massive furor and affray throughout the country to prevent the government, let's say to ratify ICERD, ICC, protecting Dr Zakir Naik from extradition or amend any constitutional provisions related to those sensitive issues in the country. Therefore, the people and those with the interests to aggravate militancy are well cached to sabotage and weaken the will of the government to uphold the interests of Islam and the Malay customs.
Turning our attention to the party-hopping in Sabah, can it be said to be influenced by the Deep State?
There were alleged bribery and corruption involved to further weaken the PH government and their power in the Legislative Assembly. As of 31st of July this year, Sabah's Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission division is said to be probing the accusations of the assemblymen switching allegiance with the money that they had lusciously received. To conclude, will Malaysia ever be stuck between the canines or clawed by the Deep State theory? As long as the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong, the leader whom unites the hearts of the people and the civic minds of Malaysian remains intact, Malaysia will continue to prosper and forever be a harmonious, peaceful country!
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