Politicians erode patriotism: How toxic politics is harming the nation

By Arshad Raji

There was a time when the country was relatively peaceful and its people stood united in Malaysia as they built on our rich and promising religious and racial diversity.

Those of us who witnessed first-hand the pre-independence period are today in our late seventies, eighties and even nineties.

This generation savoured that unique sense of peace and harmony prevailing in the 1950s well into the early 1960s.

The nation was then largely devoid of the vulgarities of politics, profanities of racism and religious bigotry. Widespread corruption and abuse of power and positions with impunity, like we witness today, were unheard of back then then.

The harsh truth is that promising future – upon which we gained our independence and built the foundations of nationhood in the 1950s and 1960s with resolute unity – has changed for the worse.

We now see a whole new regressive culture emerging. Obsessive materialism, and the craving for personal wealth and glory have become the norm. So too, the abuse of power, corruption and arrogance and an obvious disregard for the rule of law.

Painfully, the independence-era generation now witness how politicians and civil servants entrusted with the safeguarding of the nation’s security and safety have also succumbed to surrendering patriotism to this growing regressive culture.

Patriotism instead has come to mean the freedom to fulfil desires, which one aspires to achieve at all costs, with no regard for others.   

Driving this decadent culture are politicians exploiting race and religious issues to cement their position within the party hierarchy and to solicit votes during general elections. During these elections, cash handouts have become the ‘sterling standard’.

Party positions come with the trappings of lucrative benefits and an honorific title to add muscle to the abuses.

Individuals bestowed in good faith with honorific titles like Datuk, Tan Sri or even Tun have their hands tainted with criminal cases and misconduct. This is a source of embarrassment to the country.

Positions within a party are not limited by time. Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s tenure as Umno president lasted over two decades. His long tenure as Umno president has both positively and negatively affected us all. 

People have argued that the lack of a limit on the tenure of a party president could lead to a higher risk of abuse.

The race-based political party Umno today is unlike what it was when it was first established in 1946. It has become race-and-religious centric, and the recent statements by some of its leader smacks of intolerance towards others.

This is of deep concern, threatening the peace and racial harmony in the country. 

Ordinary people who are not inclined towards politics recognise that inter-ethnic unity is paramount for the peace and security of the country.

We, ex-service and security personnel, can vouch for that, given our battles in freeing our nation from the communist and insurgency threats.

In fact, most patriotic people are distancing themselves from the toxic politics that is increasingly become the norm these days.

Take Pas, for example. A theocratic political party that was founded in 1951, it did not raise the spectre of racial and religious intolerance towards people of other faiths and race during its formative years.

Although Islam teaches its adherents to uphold peace and tolerance towards minorities, regardless of their race and faith, today we see the opposite trend, peddled by politicians and displayed by party followers.

Pas leaders today see themselves as rightful preachers worthy to be heard, promoting Islam. Others, who are not members of the party and even those of their own race and faith, are sometimes looked upon with disdain and suspicion.     

The country today seriously lacks quality leaders with the ability to galvanise the people to become patriotic.

The country certainly does not lack intellectuals and learned individuals who can provide leadership, but they shy away from politics out of disillusionment.

Will our politicians take a look at themselves as patriots first, with an unbridled love for the country and the people they vowed to serve. It is true patriots who can shape and decide the destiny of the country. 

Either we checkmate errant politicians now, immediately, and revive the spirit of patriotism or end up pawning the nation’s future in the palms of evil politicians. 

Retired Brigadier General Dato’ Arshad Raji is the advisor and past founding president of Malaysian National Patriots Association (Patriot).

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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