When I became a journalist over three years ago, I put aside political leanings.
As an objective commentator, I need the freedom to hit out at political stupidity, from all sides of the equation.
Before right-wing pundits throw ridicule at me, they should know I was staunchly pro-establishment once upon a time, but anti-stupidity.
My experience in various capacities and stint as a reporter, saw more than enough to warrant much commentating.
Thus I shall not refer directly to the public rally that is about to take place today.
It is frankly a political tool in the hands of opportunistic politicians, regardless of its merits and origins.
However, there are no such thing as non-opportunistic politicians, whichever party they are from, yes, even the Islamic one.
The number one rule of politics is that every opportunity counts.
Just like being first and most accurate (or so-so enough) is the credo of news organisations.
Whatever the case, I shall not break my promise and endorse political action.
The day I do so would be the day I quit my profession and walk a different calling.
“But that day,” As Aragorn said before the Black Gate of Mordor and the hosts of Sauron, “Is not today.”
I am speaking instead about two things; moral courage and common sense.
I don’t fully agree with controversial Islamic reformer Irshad Manji (right), whom I had the honour of interviewing face to face, but I do see merit in her “moral courage”.
As Allah (yes the one and only God) decreed, He will not change the fate of a race unless the people of that race work for, and most importantly want to change.
Miss Manji posited, for better things to come, we must have the mass, momentum and political awareness to ask for, and if necessary move for change.
The ‘Merdeka Bubble’
In our case, for over 50 years since independence, we have been living in a state of limbo, still encased in what I call the “Merdeka Bubble”.
Lorded over by the Merdeka generation and their scions, threatened day in and day out with May 13 violence, told to be grateful to a party which “single-handedly” brought us Merdeka.
While the British are no longer (directly) colonising us, what we need to be Merdeka from, I believe, are from those who had surreptitiously replaced them.
Though independence is indeed a cause for celebration, its true value lies in the rakyat’s liberation, in mind, body and aspirations.
It should not be an exchange of shackles from colonial masters to local tyrants.
What we must have is the moral courage to be Merdeka from their Merdeka, to chart a new course to face today’s challenges and no longer live in yesteryear's shadow.
But more than moral courage, what is more important in redeeming our Merdeka for those of us who claim to be the sons of the soil, is common sense.
The common sense to see that oppression by anyone is still oppression. The common sense to know that to be cheated by anyone is still ruinous.
The common sense to realise that to be stepped on under the heels of anyone is just as detrimental.
What irks me the most is to hear people say, “Tak apalah orang kita juga, (It is okay, they are our people),” to rationalise abuse of power, outright cheating or acts of oppression.
It is not okay that the ones doing the oppressing, cheating or abusing authority are “our people”.
In fact, it should be worse that “our people” are stepping all over us.
It should be worse... In this, common sense must prevail.
I would like to ask all Malaysian out there, whatever creed, colour or ancestry, to have moral courage and common sense. To be united and take a stand.
To move to change the powers that be, or change the way they do things. To ask for, work for and want to change, for a better Malaysia.
For this is our land, our beloved country, that we, as one people, share and hold in trust, for generations to come.
As an objective commentator, I need the freedom to hit out at political stupidity, from all sides of the equation.
Before right-wing pundits throw ridicule at me, they should know I was staunchly pro-establishment once upon a time, but anti-stupidity.
My experience in various capacities and stint as a reporter, saw more than enough to warrant much commentating.
Thus I shall not refer directly to the public rally that is about to take place today.
It is frankly a political tool in the hands of opportunistic politicians, regardless of its merits and origins.
However, there are no such thing as non-opportunistic politicians, whichever party they are from, yes, even the Islamic one.
The number one rule of politics is that every opportunity counts.
Just like being first and most accurate (or so-so enough) is the credo of news organisations.
Whatever the case, I shall not break my promise and endorse political action.
The day I do so would be the day I quit my profession and walk a different calling.
“But that day,” As Aragorn said before the Black Gate of Mordor and the hosts of Sauron, “Is not today.”
I am speaking instead about two things; moral courage and common sense.
I don’t fully agree with controversial Islamic reformer Irshad Manji (right), whom I had the honour of interviewing face to face, but I do see merit in her “moral courage”.As Allah (yes the one and only God) decreed, He will not change the fate of a race unless the people of that race work for, and most importantly want to change.
Miss Manji posited, for better things to come, we must have the mass, momentum and political awareness to ask for, and if necessary move for change.
The ‘Merdeka Bubble’
In our case, for over 50 years since independence, we have been living in a state of limbo, still encased in what I call the “Merdeka Bubble”.
Lorded over by the Merdeka generation and their scions, threatened day in and day out with May 13 violence, told to be grateful to a party which “single-handedly” brought us Merdeka.
While the British are no longer (directly) colonising us, what we need to be Merdeka from, I believe, are from those who had surreptitiously replaced them.
Though independence is indeed a cause for celebration, its true value lies in the rakyat’s liberation, in mind, body and aspirations.
It should not be an exchange of shackles from colonial masters to local tyrants.
What we must have is the moral courage to be Merdeka from their Merdeka, to chart a new course to face today’s challenges and no longer live in yesteryear's shadow.
But more than moral courage, what is more important in redeeming our Merdeka for those of us who claim to be the sons of the soil, is common sense.
The common sense to see that oppression by anyone is still oppression. The common sense to know that to be cheated by anyone is still ruinous.
The common sense to realise that to be stepped on under the heels of anyone is just as detrimental.
What irks me the most is to hear people say, “Tak apalah orang kita juga, (It is okay, they are our people),” to rationalise abuse of power, outright cheating or acts of oppression.
It is not okay that the ones doing the oppressing, cheating or abusing authority are “our people”.
In fact, it should be worse that “our people” are stepping all over us.
It should be worse... In this, common sense must prevail.
I would like to ask all Malaysian out there, whatever creed, colour or ancestry, to have moral courage and common sense. To be united and take a stand.
To move to change the powers that be, or change the way they do things. To ask for, work for and want to change, for a better Malaysia.
For this is our land, our beloved country, that we, as one people, share and hold in trust, for generations to come.
HAZLAN ZAKARIA is a member of the Malaysiakini team.
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