At about 4pm on May 9 last year, I was wheeled into a classroom of the Anglo-Chinese School in Klang. I was adamant that I cast my vote at all costs even on a wheelchair. Jokingly, I told my daughter: “If I don’t go and if my friend Charles Santiago loses by one vote, I will carry it for the rest of my life!”
That night, former colleagues turned up in the house and our eyes were glued to the two television screens. We could access Malaysiakini on and off because of the huge volume of traffic. The impossible happened.
Five weeks earlier, lying in a hospital bed, I watched the three terrestrial TV stations – RTM1, RTM2 and TV3 – telecasting live the launch of BN’s manifesto. The next day, the Jalils, Wongs, Azmans and Ashraffs were extolling the virtues of Najib Abdul Razak and his comrades and demonising Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his newly-formed Pakatan Harapan.
It was during one of these tirades that Najib screamed: “Lawan tetap lawan. Saya anak jantan.” But two days later after the election, he was hurrying to the Subang airport to board a private jet for a supposed holiday – but it did not happen.
Why delve into these past issues, you may ask. The answer is simple – most of what we were promised is not being delivered. We wanted change, we wanted a new government that cares for the people and we wanted assurances that leaders would no longer line their pockets at the expense of the people.
When Mahathir wanted to appoint himself as education minister, we told him in unison of the manifesto's condition - that the prime minister cannot hold any other ministerial post. He backed down, giving us the impression that his persona had changed – no longer making arbitrary and unilateral decisions.
A year later, the rumblings have started. Initially in whispers and now has soared to loud voices. For a while, I replied to the detractors: Please choose between a set of inexperienced people (most of them new) who are falling on their feet and a set of corrupt leaders who previously stole from government coffers and brought the nation to the brink of bankruptcy.
I extolled the qualities of some of the policies and commended our new-found freedoms to assemble and protest and to be able to write and criticise constructively. The focus on lifting the living standards of the B40 group, new housing policies and incentives to boost foreign investments were among the pluses for the new government.
It made sense. When ministers fumbled and tripped in the initial stages, we understood that they were new and needed time. For a while this mantra sold. But discontent and unhappiness have now grown to anger and frustration.
Why? Because the government (read Mahathir) never believes in consultation. Instead, it is pushing unpopular policies at their whim and fancy. We are told that there was consensus in the cabinet when deciding to extend the licence of Lynas for another six months. However unpopular the decision is, there was discussion and it is now for those who agreed with the decision to defend their stand.
So, why was a similar stand not taken on khat and other contentious issues? Why hasn’t there been consensus on a more important issue – the antagonising of our plural society through race and religion? Why are they not doing anything about the animosity and hatred spewed on social media?
These questions need answers and the people want them fast. The police even arrested a man for allegedly criticising Mahathir but the prime minister decreed that he is not above criticism. If they can act speedily against such an utterance, what about those who talk about violence and killing?
Have we gone back to the bad old days when certain people could not be touched or prosecuted without a “mandate” from Putrajaya? Our graft fighters and the police have been directed to carry out their duties and responsibilities with any interference. Why, then, are some people dealt with by an iron fist while others are treated with velvet gloves?
This government should be firm in dealing with delinquents and trouble-makers swiftly and direct the authorities to get cracking when the first signs of misuse and abuse of race and religion emerge. Why are we pussyfooting in the case of Zakir Naik who has broken the rules of our land?
Why are there double standards? Why do the police can arrest ordinary people hours after making inciting speeches while another who does the same is allowed to continue to spew untruths based on religion?
We, the people, wait for the answers with bated breath.
R NADESWARAN says acts to incite hatred and contempt among races must be dealt with swiftly to show the government is serious in wanting to build a united Malaysia. Comments: citizen.nades@gmail.com - Mkini
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