The Catholic responsibility to vote

Aug 04, 2023

By Jacelyn Johnson
The upcoming state elections may seem like an afterthought to many, as the nation went to polls not longer than nine months ago. However, six states chose not to dissolve their state assemblies in 2022 when the federal elections were held. August 12 will see Kedah, Kelantan, Terengganu, Penang, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan going out to vote in their state legislative assemblies.

By and large, these state elections will be significant in solidifying the popularity of the Unity government, and perhaps the future of our current Prime Minister. Whether we like to admit it or not, ethnic division is at the forefront of our political system. On the one hand, you have three states with a significant Malay population, currently under the Perikatan Nasional coalition, who embrace Malay supremacy and conservative Islamic ideologies. Then you have three other states, under the more liberal Unity government.

The problem with race based politics is, it has created an intrinsic beleaguering mentality amongst Malaysians, that they should only vote for the politician or a party with stereotypical racial divide ideologies, and politicians too, do play up the racial insecurities card to further create a toxic environment that divides the nation. This causes a disconnect from educating people to understand actual economical and developmental benefits a party or a candidate can bring to the table.

What does the State Legislative Assembly do?
In Malaysia, state government powers are rather limited or restrained. The federal government takes on the major accountabilities, from defence to education, external affairs, communications, trade and transport. Our Parliament holds sessions for almost 20 weeks a year, while state assemblies sit for perhaps two weeks annually.

State legislators basically have enormous control over land utilisation within their state, and decidedly so, as the case in Selangor, where the state’s income is derived predominantly (67 per cent in 2022) from land title premiums and land tax. However, aside from responsibilities with overlapping federal and state jurisdictions such as public health and town planning, state governments are also primarily responsible for social welfare and dispensing aid, which makes them a focal instrument for the people’s wellbeing.

A good state legislator (ADUN) would be one who is accessible to the rakyat, and be able to not only listen to the complaints, but actually fix physical issues for the betterment of their area, and provide just and equitable social welfare to the people within their jurisdiction. This would be one of the main reasons the state elections are important, as you are given the opportunity to vote for a suitable candidate that will go on to provide the services required that contributes to a developing society.

What does the Church say about your right to vote?
The Church and the political community in their own fields are autonomous and independent from each other. Yet both, under different titles, are devoted to the personal and social vocation of the same men. All citizens, therefore, should be mindful of the right and also the duty to use their free vote to further the common good. (Gaudium et spes, 1965, n76; n75)

The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) states that “submission to authority and co-responsibility for the common good make it morally obligatory to pay taxes, to exercise the right to vote, and to defend one’s country.” (CCC, n 2240)

While there are many Bible verses that tell us to obey the authorities, there is no explicit Bible verse that spells out a right to vote, simply because free elections weren’t exactly practised in the biblical era. In the Old Testament, the Lord assigned a priest to anoint kings, who mostly came into authority through triumph in wars. Similarly, in the New Testament, the people did not get to vote in their Roman Emperors.

However, the Bible does tell us to pay our taxes. “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God's.” (Mark 12:17), and this, by modern democratic principles, translates into a right or an obligation to vote. Even Jesus paid temple taxes (Matt 17: 24-27).

The Bible also tells us to pray for political leaders. “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Timothy 2:1-2), and show them the appropriate respect and honour (1 Peter 2:17). The Scripture is clear about our responsibilities as Christians, despite it being a time where the authorities were oppressive, hostile and unjust compared to our current times.

So, what then is our Catholic responsibility?
We are asked “to do what is good and avoid what is evil.” Everyone is obliged to follow this law, which makes itself heard in conscience and is fulfilled in the love of God and neighbour. Living a moral life bears witness to the dignity of person. (CCC 1706).

The Magisterium teaches that “a well-formed Christian conscience does not permit one to vote for a political programme or an individual law which contradicts the fundamental contents of faith and morals” (Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, n 570)

They often say ‘vote wisely’ – but what does this mean? Exodus 18:21 says “But select capable men from all the people — men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain — and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.”

In this age of information, we tend to sway with any content that comes our way, without discerning, understanding and educating ourselves further, what is for the common good. When it’s time to vote, are we voting for the most capable person to lead us, or are we voting based on race, stereotypical beliefs, emotions and pride? As Christians, we are called to pray, and to educate ourselves, and to be responsible in exercising our civic duties.

Our political climate has shown us that no one party, and not every politician do as they say once they get into power. As Rafizi Ramli recently put it, “When they want to be candidates, they lobby for it heavily. But after becoming our candidates, they act like kings even before being elected.”

Pope Francis wrote that “Experience shows how easy it is to become mired in corruption, ensnared in the daily politics of quid pro quo, where everything becomes business. How many people suffer injustice, standing by powerlessly while others divvy up the good things of this life. Some give up fighting for real justice and opt to follow in the train of the winners.” (Gaudete et Exsultate, n 78)

As you go out to fulfil your civic and Catholic duty to cast your vote on August 12, do take some time to pray and discern, research about the candidates that you will be voting for, understand their manifestos, cast your doubts, but also look at what they have previously accomplished, whether they are practically and morally capable of carrying out their duties and responsibilities to the people and choose the right candidate to work for your jurisdiction. And then, continue to pray for your chosen leaders. “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.” (Proverbs 11:14) 

(Jacelyn Johnson holds an LLB and an MBA, with a day job in change management and digital transformation. She enjoys the occasional religious discourse just to shake up and make sense of the stereotypical mentalities.)