When we stood united to eliminate the corrupt

The clock ticked 10.10pm, on the night of May 10, the nation's pride was sworn in as the 7th prime minister of Malaysia.

I kept switching the channels and the buttons on the remote seemed like nuclear warhead keys to my droopy eyes.

My heart pumped faster every second as the flash news sparks bits of real time updates from the palace.

A nation's wait came to rest as hope walked into the balairung, dressed in the silk made baju Melayu with his entourage. His wife, groomed in her best black attire with satin and radiant beads looked dashing alongside her husband, Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Just as he signed the swearing in documents of his prime ministerial oath, the rakyat knew they won. They won a battle for fair elections against a tyrant, kleptocracy and scandalous regime, and corrupted bureaucrats that exploited the very last ounce of trust of the rakyat to lavishly secure their lust for greed and power.

I am a civil servant that have served the corrupted regime for more than a decade. I am still an amateur to the civil sector, yet I have witnessed the act and practise of corruption to the core.

Lavish and grand ceremonies staged with the rakyat's money just to showcase a particular individual's political agenda, as the only agenda to believe right.

We were forced to agree that it is okay to not do the right thing. Many counterparts and I executed our duties with heavy hearts realising that it was the only resort we could do to safeguard our source of income.

We also knew that any rejection or objection can implicate us to be the victims of conspiracies that would be tailor made just to eliminate us from the equation.

We could only wish and pray for a better civil sector. The top government officials were the puppets of the puppeteers that were suppressing those of calibre and eligible.

Promotions, placements, and special appointments were based on who one knew, not what one knew. From being enthusiastic, one became demotivated, frustrated and felt insignificant.

Today, a new hope was born. A new Malaysia. The unity of the rakyat has spoken. Change was a fairy tale, camouflaged with fear of being victimised.

But GE14 proved that change was the revolution that was held back for 60 years. Change was the cornerstone of development. Change happened. This change crafted the true meaning of the rakyat's power.

Regardless of race, age, state, ideology, religion and social status, we stood united and eliminated the corrupt.

Today, I am proud to say that I am a Malaysian. I know that the civil service will be revolutionised. Portfolios will be filled with the rightly skilled office bearers. The reformation of the civil service will position Malaysia in the best stage witnessed internationally since independence.

I extend my support to the government of the day and stand firm with the corruption-free government. Greater distribution of funds for the welfare of the needy will finally become a reality.

At 92, Mahathir has brought new hope to future. I am happy it happened during my time as a civil servant and I lived to see it. My children, grandchildren and the next generation are in safe hands.

Together we stand united for Malaysia with the government of the day. - Mkini