Three reforms we Malaysians must undertake

LETTER | There is so much discontent in the newly-minted Pakatan Harapan government that I feel it necessary to help in some small way to put things in perspective. Personally, I have friends who are either ministers or deputy ministers in the Harapan government and I know for a fact that they work their socks off spending nights and days sorting through the 60 years of the mess left behind by an entrenched government.

You cannot undo 60 years of race politics, corruption as a way of life and scandals that pile up to the moon simply in nine months of taking office. To expect change is the people’s prerogative and right but to say “I am so disappointed I am going to vote BN next round” is shortsighted and foolhardy. We have obviously forgotten how bad it was and how hard we fought.

Having said that, there are several areas I think we as a nation need to reform in terms of our thinking and level of what we are willing to tolerate. This is all our responsibilities – government and citizenry.

The first is the need to raise the level of nationalism. That we are a people of a shared destiny – we sink and swim together. I believe every good citizen believes this. The problem is Umno and some of those who have left Umno who believe in a notion of entitlement based on their birthright. The reason for this irrational thought is the selfish political desire to perpetuate an elitist group among the bumiputera. This feudalistic mindset when you examine further is what led to an extremely corrupt government who syphoned off billions and took money from funds allocated for Felda, Mara, Tabung Haji, widows and orphans.

In order to perpetuate their power and money, they have to be seen to be champions of Malay rights. Enemies have to be created and who are they? Other Malaysians of other races. This divide-and-rule formula perpetuated by the former BN government was meant to plant suspicions in the minds of each ethnic group in order to justify the existence of component parties divided along racial lines. It is counter-nationalistic.

Instead of perpetuating this Umno/PAS bumiputera entitled mindset could we not be “thought leaders” who will steer Malaysia away from the divisive politics perpetuated by a counter-nationalistic political party the last 60 years? It's not easy and nobody said it would be but rather than be on the defensive singing the Umno/PAS tune could we not see the potential of a nation fully united, moving forward with great things to accomplish on the global stage? We need a visionary leader, bold and courageous who will lead.

The second is a deep hatred for corruption. Corruption is why people die on the streets in accidents because law-keepers and enforcement bodies take bribes instead of enforcing the law. Corruption breeds mediocrity instead of excellence. Corruption impoverishes instead of enriches our lives. We as a citizenry must hate corruption and call it out and destroy it whenever we see it rear its ugly head.

We must bring to justice all the leaders who have dipped their hands in the government coffers whether it’s a thousand dollars or billions. Stealing is stealing. The punishments may differ but it is absolutely necessary to have a zero tolerance when it comes to corruption.

The general belief out there now is that Najib and his cronies will not be brought to justice. There is a lack of confidence that justice will be carried out. There were also many cases of wrongdoing in the past which the Royal Malaysian Police have not addressed and it appears that they won't because there has been no change of the top brass. Why doesn't the prime minister and home affairs minister overhaul the PDRM top brass? Where are the answers to Teoh Beng Hock, Hussain Najadi, Altantuya? Raymond Koh, Joshua, Ruth and Amri Che Mat?

Why have there been no prosecutions? If there is a protecting of certain past wrongdoings and wrongdoers than we are tolerating past corruptions. If we tolerate past corruptions than we will create new ones.

The third is the need for deep institutional reforms. We have to put in place again the separation of powers and the rule of law which provide accountability. We do not need to go back to the way things were in the 80s or 90s. Those were the years of the destruction of accountability and the overzealous arm of the executive which caused the birth of the reformasi movement in 1998. We did not fight 20 years to return to these dark ages.

These nine months have seen some reforms but by and large, there is an appearance of a growing strong arm of the executive. Having checks and balance in the various branches of government again will ensure that whoever sits as prime minister is not going to go down the same path we did 30 years ago that brought us our current problems.

There are many political and civil society activists who fought over the last 20 years who lost their businesses, their jobs and even their lives for their movements. Let's not wash over their sacrifices by accepting mediocrity from this new government. While we acknowledge clear and real change over the last nine months, we need to expect more for the sake of all those who have gone before us.

We, as Malaysians, need to raise the level of nationalism, need to hate corruption and demand an overhaul of the government institutions for greater checks and balance. We must for the sake of our children.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.