Democracy has triumphed; time to work in solidarity

Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (Patriot) has observed that there is a minor discord within the ruling parties of Pakatan Harapan after the naming of three key ministers.

Patriot fully supports the decision of the Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, in being swift and decisive, as it was crucial. Time could not wait for intra-party bickering of who gets what and how much.

While Patriot respect their right to dissent and respects their views, we would like to humbly remind the leaders in Pakatan Harapan that the victory as decided on 10 May 2018 was a Malaysian victory.

Conscious of Edmund Burke’s words “Evil will triumph if good men do nothing”, tens of thousands came forward to volunteer, remained vigilant against electoral cheating, came back home from overseas just to vote; and against all odds delivered a fantastic 82.3% voter turnout even on a weekday, and in the end proved the polls wrong. Indeed, democracy has triumphed.

This Malaysian victory heralded a new beginning. The vast majority have spoken and want real change.

Gone was the way where race and religion was used as a pathway to electoral gain, to sow distrust and division among the people. Gone was the culture of politics to enrich one’s self, where seats of power were used to corrupt, abuse, and plunder. Gone was also the politics of patronage, where unqualified politicians were given positions of importance in corporate bodies and government-linked corporations.

There must be checks and balance among the institutions of government to ensure transparency and accountability in governance and to prevent abuse of power.

For the ruling political parties, the culture of selfish gain, of what’s in it for me, for my party, for my own community, for my own race, is over. There is abundance of help needed. Tap from among those outside politics, who are very qualified and willing to serve not for money or glamour, but a genuine interest to help. Select them carefully and use them in the different levels, positions, and roles necessary in nation-building.

Let us all think as Malaysians, what is good for our country as a whole. Think collective, inclusive and holistic. Simply put, we have to accept and respect one another, help one another, make every Malaysian feel important. The patriotic spirit will rise in us again. Every son and daughter of this country will be proud to call Malaysia, his or her home.

Let us all unite in solidarity, work with our new government leaders, participate to rebuild, and make Malaysia great again.

BG Dato Mohamed Arshad Raji (Rtd) is president of Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan.

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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