Home TA Online 2015 TA Online Right to dissent a prerequisite for progress

Right to dissent a prerequisite for progress

Join us on Telegram and Instagram for the latest.

For our society/nation and its institutions to be strengthened, there must be dissent and the freedom to question, to doubt, to probe, to criticise and to object, writes Abdul Rashid Hanafi.

There is nothing sick about dissent and criticism. Dissension and criticism are not tantamout to disloyalty. On the contrary there is a great need for both in present-day society.

The stifling of dissent is not only a negation of our constituitional guarantee of free speech, but also a renunciation of the most basic and precious of democratic principles. Only if there are open discussions and arguments based on uninhibited constructive criticism can there be an end to the growing public discontent and the trend towards complacency.

Only when complacency disappears will it be possible for our country to fully exert and exploit its vigorous, individualistic drive to achieve progress, betterment and world leadership.

NOW, as never before in our history, it is essential that we, the average concerned citizens, as well as the intellectuals not allow ourselves to be swayed from seeking much-needed reforms from entrenched leaders, bureaucrats, selfish minority groups or organisations that have their own and far-from-altruistic reasons for wishing to preserve the status quo.

For our society/nation and its institutions to be strengthened, there must be dissent and the freedom to question, to doubt, to probe, to criticise and to object – all for the betterment of the nation.

Thanks for dropping by! 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.

Our voluntary writers work hard to keep these articles free for all to read. But we do need funds to support our struggle for Justice, Freedom and Solidarity. To maintain our editorial independence, we do not carry any advertisements; nor do we accept funding from dubious sources. If everyone reading this was to make a donation, our fundraising target for the year would be achieved within a week. So please consider making a donation to Persatuan Aliran Kesedaran Negara, CIMB Bank account number 8004240948.
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x