LETTER | A battle of principles - A war for the future

LETTER | “Who would you vote for today?”

When I ask this question, most people would directly mention their favoured political parties and their preferred political candidates. 

I find the reasoning behind this reasonable and legitimate in their expressed concerns, such as “the other side is more incompetent”, the party’s track records and achievements, or even due to the election manifestos. 

But behind all these things, I hold one important factor in my heart, and that is we Malaysians must vote for candidates with good, strong and unwavering principles. 

Sadly, principles are not the name of the game when it comes to our approach to modern politics. I personally believe that we as Malaysians, are, especially in the realm of politics, severely lacking in this part of ourselves, probably on a daily basis.

The lack of principles by our politicians not only contributed to the downward schism of the nation since the Sheraton Move, but in matters of public policies, finances and many more. I am expressing a deep disappointment when it comes to this fact, yet should all our politicians be blamed? 

I would say that our culture in Malaysia, when it comes to the ethics of politics, has been so diluted and defiled, mainly because of how normalised corruption has become. This should not be the case.

When the future of the nation is bleak, how are we going to account for our children? What values are we going to impart to them? Are we going to raise a generation devoid of good values and constantly making grave errors? 

Such questions must be thoroughly reflected by us as Malaysians, and we must make a sound judgment for the nation, for ourselves and the generations to come.

Hence, I must point out that it is not sufficient to just change politicians or change governments. This election too is to be a wake-up call for ourselves because we, the people too, must change. 

More than ever, we have to be stronger in our principles and our convictions, be resolute and not waver in the face of dark and tempting opportunities. I believe that good, strong moral culture that rejects the bad things in the nation from the grassroots can affect the top echelons of the government. 

I, too, am pleased to see more of the young people within my generation seeing the rot we have in our systems and structure of governments, and are vocal about it despite our ideological and religious differences. 

This is not the time when we give up hope. We should do everything in our capacity to defend what we have.

I long for a time when Malaysians will finally vote based on principles instead of emotions, sentiments and temporal election promises that are materialistic in nature and go largely unfulfilled (carrot-and-stick developmentalism politics). 

What really matters now is that we must impart a legacy that is worthy of all Malaysians to be proud of. A legacy where the people are able to be proud of Malaysia, with heads up high, instead of hanging their heads in shame. One where we can stand stronger despite our differences, instead of the division that exists and is being exacerbated daily by the powers that be. 

I also hope that Malaysians can rekindle their passion and love for this nation, for the revival of our sense of civic duties and responsibilities, and for the better future we entrust to our future generations.

I am in no position to tell you who you should vote for. As a young man in his 20s who will be voting soon, my message is just simple and clear: Please vote with great conscience, bringing hope and conviction to your hearts. Let us vote in ways that allow transformations to a better nation. 

Do not despair and get better by improving yourselves. Let us dispel all forms of corruption, incompetency, hyper-tribalism of party politics, unethical practices of government, the degradation of our institutions and the growing infestations of authoritarianism. 

If we want to make change possible, then we too must ask the reluctant people around us to vote on Nov 19. We cannot afford to be “black pilled”. My words here may sound idealistic, but it does not remove the key substance of the message: be principled, and bring change. Thus, come election day, we must be pragmatic about voting. 

I wish to end here by giving you two of my favourite quotes below:

“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”

- Ephesians 6:12, KJV

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness, that to secure these rights, governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

- Declaration of Independence, 1776.

Happy voting, and stay safe.

ENOCH LIM EE is a graduate in Politics and Government Studies from Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), who describes himself as an individual who believes in libertarian values.

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