A call for national prayer as Umno-BN pushes nation towards a repeat of May 13, 1969

The foregone conclusion on the lips of all thinking and feeling rakyat is that GE-13 is going to be the most fiercely fought battle in the Parliamentary history of Malaysian politics since the times of its independence.

But what is even more disturbing – unprecedented if you may, is the fact that the post-GE-13 outcome or eventuality is also beginning to grip the citizens with deep seated concerns and fears.

Already, some high-ranking Concerned Citizens’ Group has penned the very fears in an Open Letter recently. And all of their expressed concerns are not farfetched going by overdose of threats, warnings, the bitter exchanges and gutter politicking we have to put up with so far.

Do we commoners want the country to plunge into darkness simply because of the outcome of the GE-13?

It is certainly not, for all right thinking and patriotic citizens. But the politicians do not seem to think along similar wavelengths, do they?

It is clear as daylight that BN is not prepared to accept the realities of the day that its popularity is sinking; that the kind of support that it enjoyed in the past decades is not anymore the same today coupled with the highest number of breakaway top contenders standing as independents.

Meanwhile, the opposition pact is cognizant of its growing support – seen by the migration of BN’s Who’s Who in recent weeks, as well as the ever growing numbers cheering them onwards at the ceremahs with the rakyat’s willingness to dip into their pockets and help cover some of the costs of election campaigns.

In the meantime, fire bombs and explosives as well as burning of vehicles and fist-fights are emerging, fueling ever more suspicions.

BN making May 13-repeat become a reality

Much as no patriotic citizens will wish for, there is that gnawing and widely traded talk of a fear of that probability, i.e. that BN political warnings and threats of chaos and even a repeat of the bloody May 13, may be forced to become a reality in an eventuality that BN loses the elections.

That in itself explains the very fragile circumstances under which this general election is being held. So what else can we do as caring concerned citizens of this country when politicians are sharpening their weapons?

It is time for a national congregation of all faiths to pray for peace, common sense and harmony. Perhaps we should do it in the open and all across the nation at an appointed time well before we go to the polls.

Let the leaders of the respective religions lead their congregation in turns at these public assemblies in prayer. Let no politician hijack this moment of submission of the nation’s pleas heaven-wards; and ceratinly let no authority clamp down this event with falsehood fears of security risks.

When the future of a nation is being marred by the sheer quest for continuing power; when shameless determination is the war-game to siege and control at all costs over the citizens’ dead bodies and crushed bones; when God and religion are made into political pawns; when race and suspicion are brewed together – it calls for a nationwide congregation of all faiths in the open and together, as they convene to pray in their own tongues for blessings and protection from heaven above.

Will the leaders of all the various faiths agree to lead this nation of people in prayer when all our politicians and their parties are fighting a do-or-die battle? Or will they conveniently shy away with claims that they are already praying in their own places of worship?

National prayer and message

Let us send a strong message to the powers that be: That Malaysians are no chicken ready for the slaughter and neither are they dead horses to be flogged. Let us in unison convey that uncompromised message that Malaysians are living in harmony and respect for each other’s race and religion contrary to what the political masters are peddling ceaselessly.

Let us decisively tell the politicians that come what the outcome of GE-13 be, we Malaysians are not traitors to this land and king – as what the politicians would want others to believe.

Let us show the world that when the going gets tough, the tough get going and that is Malaysians. Are we game? Or will we see our congretaion leaders back-peddling by harping a tune of "politics and religion do not mix".

This is not the season to be wayside observers. This is not the moment for a wait-and-see-first disposition. We need to pray as one nation of people in the wake of this threat to our democracy.

MAILBAG