Two weeks ago, when leaders of both sides of the political pendulum, along with civil society leaders, signed the Citizens’ Declaration, I knew it was a significant and historic moment in the socio-political development in Malaysia.
However, I could not find the right words to describe it, and now that the inspiration has indeed come, allow me to share what it means to the signatories and my fellow Malaysians.
This is what I hope the signatories will adhere to in spirit to ensure that we have a stronger country, economically and politically, and free from the morons who are now running the nation.
What does the Citizens’ Declaration mean?
The main focus now is to remove a scandal-plagued prime minister.
As I have said before, the reason that despite being a weak leader, Najib Abdul Razak is able to hold on to power is because of the fortress that former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad had established.
Although Najib may have a grip on the various authorities in his hands, he is at the mercy of those who know how what he has hidden in his closet and exploit his weak leadership.
Meanwhile, the various institutions that were established for check-and-balance have been dismantled, and not even the Conference of Rulers can stand up to Najib.
Despite the decree that we read last year, investigation into 1MDB scandal is still going on at a snail’s pace, or has even been blocked.
Towards the end of his life, Dr Mahathir has indeed seen the outcome of what he had been meddling with throughout the 22 years of his reign. He now sees what Umno Baru has grown into - a monster!
Umno Baru has to die a natural death
To save Malaysia, Umno Baru has to die a natural death.
The horse has been flogged one time too many for the financial gains of the elite class within Umno. Political leaders have allegedly reaped their benefits from the plunder of the country’s wealth since Independence.
A politician had raised some good questions why Malaysians, despite the country being bestowed with oil money, have remained in the middle income trap.
Some politicians started off well, and were respected even by opponents for their fair-mindedness, then went ‘off tangent’ in the later part of their race. They may retire into obscurity but we all know how the guilt of taking ‘haram’ money will continue to haunt them for the rest of their lives.
The husband of a former cabinet minister has yet to tell us what he has achieved with some RM230 million in government grants. Instead of producing beef to meet the local demands, what we hear is the purchase of posh condominiums in the island republic of Singapore.
I can continue on, and the list will not end. Corruption and the abuse of power cannot simply be allowed to continue on.
Since this has become the culture of Umno Baru, the political party has to be allowed to die a natural death, and a new Umno to rise from within a new set of leaders such as a reformed Muhyiddin Yassin, and younger leaders Mukhriz Mahathir and Khairuddin Abu Hassan.
What Umno Baru is today will hardly attract young and potential leaders, nor will it inspire confidence in the non-Malay community.
The new formula
The new formula will have to be encompassing, instead of Umno championing the Malay and Muslim cause, as if the federal constitution has never been upheld.
Most of us do not have any qualms about the special privileges given to deserving Malays; however, what we hate to see is when there is no level playing field, with the Malay elites themselves allegedly taking away all the riches of this nation that should be shared out equally.
The special privileges given to one segment of the society should not be at the expense of the others in the society. It should be done equitably, not according to race, but according to needs. Therefore, a poor Indian family should also be given the opportunity to become financially independent, if the same government support is offered to the Malays.
After all, the Chinese and the Indian community have been the backbone of development of this country during the British era. When East Malaysians joined peninsular Malaysia to form the newly established country in 1963, they came with their oil wealth; they, too, deserve to be given equal economic opportunities as our fellow Malaysians.
Politicians from both sides of the political divide should be professional in their politicking. Instead of hate speeches, they should be prepared to take on the opponents in public debates that benefit the nation.
When comes to the general election, let the best party win, but the losers for now have to work even harder to win a bigger victory in the next election with a better manifesto.
At the same time, all the institutions that we need for a functional democracy have to be further strengthened, and their powers be returned to them, appointing only good men (instead of apple-polishers) to helm these institutions.
Impossible?
Impossible? Let me repeat again. Impossible?
Wait till you hear the words of the late Nelson Mandela and watch his story on video. He is quoted saying, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”
To make it happen are the people who signed the Citizens’ Declaration. Let this be a new platform for a new Malaysia, where old enemies have come to a point of reconciliation, and willing to take opposing positions once Najib is removed, but with a new formula for the sake of a better of Malaysia.
With today being Good Friday, let me quote the illustration which Jesus himself used: “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.”
He was referring to his own death on the cross and the resurrection that followed three days after. To him, the crucifixion has to happen, for this is what he had come for. There is no escape. Likewise, if we want a new Malaysia, we have to allow the old ways to die off, and start with a new beginning. There has to be a heart for forgiveness amongst the people who signed the Citizen’s Declaration.
Because of what Jesus did on the cross for me, I wish to join Anwar Ibrahim by saying publicly that I am willing to forgive Dr Mahathir for all the wrongs that he has done to this nation.
Unless Dr Mahathir amends his ways, by first acknowledging his own faults, he can go down the history as the prime minister who allegedly burnt billions of Malaysian ringgit (according to Barry Wain), but as far as I am concerned, I am prepared to support him for a good cause.
STEPHEN NG is an ordinary citizen with an avid interest in following political developments in the country since 2008.-Mkini
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