Let’s save Malaysia

Pakatan has today emerged as an alternative credible frontline political party capable of delivering justice, peace and equality for all.

COMMENT

By R Kengadharan

All fiery and thunderous speeches have now ended. Both political divides must now come together to cast their ballots and it is true that the 13th general election is the most anticipated election.

The voters today have become more vocal and they understand the power of their votes.

Today 222 parliament and 505 state seats are up for grabs. Approximately 13.3 million eligible voters will ultimately and decisively decide the destiny of this nation for the next five years.

How will they vote? Will they vote wisely? Or are the voters going to the polls with a quest for change in their minds?

Malaysians in general are sick and tired of the race and religion divisiveness. There is now a need to co-exist as people of one nation and push for good governance. It is the fervent hope and belief of every voter that there must be ‘radical change’ to the deplorable existing system of governance.

The Pakatan Rakyat has in the last five years demonstrated good governance and economic success which has tremendously heightened support especially from those who are enraged at Barisan Nasional.

This phenomenon has now escalated to an alarming level during the campaigning period. Even the constant slanders against Pakatan Rakyat and its leadership failed to deter support consequently shifting public opinion in favour of Pakatan Rakyat.

As a result of the slanderous and scandalous attacks by Barisan Nasional during the campaigning period, the nation in general has become more polarised than ever and shame on those extremist factions who advocated poisonous remarks which directly militates against the national policies of the government and that of BN.

Additionally, despite maintaining absolute control of the media, racial and scandalous matters filtered down to the masses wherein the cyber world was accused of lawlessness which accusation is a blatant lie and a gross unwarranted and untenable attack.

Despite an absolute monopoly on the printed media, there is today a growing disbelief and distrust against the BN and the printed media, in particular, nationwide.

This frustration is far too much to bear and the scandals, abuse of power and wastage of national resources are completely unjustified and preposterous.

Moreover, the BN is yet to announce a national plan to safeguard a future crisis situation from happening. Perhaps there isn’t the foresight to do so. Or maybe lack of competency.

For instance the International Monetary Fund (IMF) statistics expect a sharp rising trend in government debt from RM277 billion to RM779 billion in 2017.

The break up of BN

This has inevitably caused and created anger which will translate into votes on polling day and will cause Pakatan Rakyat to win and the eventual destruction of the coalition wherein MCA, MIC, Gerakan and PPP might flee from the coalition for their survival and continuity, and may offer to join Pakatan Rakyat.

There is no doubt that the MCA and MIC as of yesterday lost significant support from their respective communities because of their past neglect and inaction.

They may win some seats but their continued presence in governance may not have an overwhelming and significant effect.

When they lose support and fail to be popular, they will suffer an eventual natural death. From today there is a compelling need to re-evaluate and reassess their position in BN.

Unless they adopt a pragmatic approach, they risk vanishing from the Malaysian political scenario for good. This was never desired nor intended but an ultimate price a political party pays for encouraging and precipitating communalism.

These are the realities of politics. Pakatan has today emerged as an alternative credible frontline political party capable of delivering justice, peace and equality for all. They are thriving on clean and transparent government and keen to ensure a prosperous society and a dignified life for all.

If the voters desire a trustworthy government, people friendly economic policies, eliminate corrupt practices and a better sustainable future then the voters must vote carefully, wisely and bravely.

Remember voters, in a democratic process, the ballot box is far too powerful than the tool of gerrymandering and phantom voters.

Let’s save this wonderful country of ours – Malaysia and may we all at dawn usher a new era, beginning and regime.

R Kengadharan is a lawyer and ex-ISA detainee.