VOA慢速英语--马来西亚的政治问题在选举后仍在继续

Malaysia’s Political Problems Go On after Elections

Malaysia's political problems have increased in the last two years although hopes were high in 2018 that the country was making democratic gains.

In 2018, a new political coalition¹ defeated the United Malays National Organization that had ruled the country for more than 50 years. That year, a former prime minister was arrested in one of the world's biggest cases of graft². And the nation rejected costly³ development projects pushed by China through its Belt and Road program. The program promises big loans to countries for development and infrastructure⁴ projects they may not be able to pay for.

But now, almost two years after the historic election, much has changed.

The United Malays National Organization is back its power. The former prime minister, Najib Razak, is still facing trial for corruption⁵. And, the canceled Malay-China projects appear to be moving forward.

In addition, human rights activists⁶ say the country is using the coronavirus crisis as an excuse for authoritarian⁷ controls.

Reporters and other citizens have been arrested for criticizing how the country has dealt with the health crisis. Malaysia also has arrested thousands of people for violating stay-at-home orders. The country has the highest rate of such arrests in Southeast Asia outside of The Philippines.

'Democracy is dead'

Phil Robertson is the deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. He told VOA that "Malaysian authorities have returned to rights-abusing."

For some, the country is going in the opposite direction of the hope for democracy brought on by the 2018 vote. That election surprised observers around the world. Hopes were high for Malaysia because, at the time, the group Freedom House worried there had been a "retreat" from democracy. Freedom House is a U.S.-supported organization that pushes for democracy and human rights.

In 2018, Freedom House even called Malaysia a good example of democracy to the world. Mahathir Mohamad, who had been prime minister before, regained⁸ the position in that 2018 vote.

But he lost this leadership again in a power struggle in March. Since then, he has criticized of the government that ousted⁹ him.

"Democracy is dead," he wrote last month on his blog. "The whole world is laughing at Malaysia."

He continued, saying the world called Malaysia a kleptocracy when Najib was prime minister. "But now the kleptocrats are back."

One-day parliament

Mahathir also said that "Parliament is being silenced." The lawmaking body has met for only one day this year. In May new Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin stopped attempts by the new government to hold a vote of confidence.

Instead, critics said he used the coronavirus crisis to bring together Parliament on May 18 for a speech by the king. He then put off any additional meetings until July. This led to questions about the administration's aims.

Muhyiddin's political party is the United Malays National Organization, or UMNO. His rise to the nation's top office in March marked a return of the old ruling party.

Joel Simon is the executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists. In April, he wrote Muhyuddin a letter requesting that he improve the UMNO's relations with the media. He also "strongly" urged the Malay government not to bring back a law that made "fake news" a crime.

The law was supposed to stop misinformation but risked quieting critics in newspapers and on social media. Human Rights Watch said Malaysia has begun to detain or question critics on social media, opposition¹⁰ politicians and members of civil society.

I'm Alice Bryant.

Words in This Story

graft –n. taking advantage of your political position or government job by taking money or property in dishonest or fraudulent ways

infrastructure –n. the basic equipment and structures (such as roads and bridges) that are needed for a country or region to function properly

authoritarian –adj. enforcing or pushing for strict obedience¹¹ to authority at the expense of personal freedom

retreat –n. the act or process of moving away from something

kleptocracy –n. government by those who seek chiefly status and personal gain at the expense of the governed

vote of confidence –n. a vote showing that a majority continues to support the policy of a leader or governing body.

fake –adj. meant to look real or genuine but not real or genuine

1 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

2 graft   

n.移植，嫁接，艰苦工作，贪污；v.移植，嫁接

参考例句：

• I am having a skin graft on my arm soon.我马上就要接受手臂的皮肤移植手术。
• The minister became rich through graft.这位部长透过贪污受贿致富。

3 costly   

adj.昂贵的，价值高的，豪华的

参考例句：

• It must be very costly to keep up a house like this.维修这么一幢房子一定很昂贵。
• This dictionary is very useful,only it is a bit costly.这本词典很有用，左不过贵了些。

4 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

5 corruption   

n.腐败，堕落，贪污

参考例句：

• The people asked the government to hit out against corruption and theft.人民要求政府严惩贪污盗窃。
• The old man reviled against corruption.那老人痛斥了贪污舞弊。

6 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 authoritarian   

n./adj.专制(的)，专制主义者，独裁主义者

参考例句：

• Foreign diplomats suspect him of authoritarian tendencies.各国外交官怀疑他有着独裁主义倾向。
• The authoritarian policy wasn't proved to be a success.独裁主义的政策证明并不成功。

8 regained   

复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地

参考例句：

• The majority of the people in the world have regained their liberty. 世界上大多数人已重获自由。
• She hesitated briefly but quickly regained her poise. 她犹豫片刻，但很快恢复了镇静。

9 ousted   

驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺

参考例句：

• He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
• He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。

10 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

11 obedience   

n.服从，顺从

参考例句：

• Society has a right to expect obedience of the law.社会有权要求人人遵守法律。
• Soldiers act in obedience to the orders of their superior officers.士兵们遵照上级军官的命令行动。