People’s Merdeka message was ........

On March 8 the people of all races sent a strong message to the Barisan Nasional (BN)
government that they need change in the form of drastic reforms in the administration of the nation. The government promised to bring those reforms but the pace was too slow for their liking. Unfortunately instead of concentrating fully on those reforms and working together with the stronger opposition to realise those reforms, the government was more focused on politics to dismantle the newly-formed opposition coalition, Pakatan Rakyat.

Five months later the rakyat in no uncertain terms have again cried out for those badly-needed reforms, especially at a time of economic uncertainties, that have put tremendous strains on their budgets. This plea has come in the form of the just-concluded Permatang Pauh by-election. The voters on behalf of the 27 million Malaysians once again voted for change. The resounding victory they gave Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is an indicator that the people are serious in their demands for change. Anwar himself described his landslide victory as a defining moment that should serve as a major lesson for the ruling BN.

The people did not vote for Anwar because of his looks or his charisma. They did not vote him for his oratory skills or because he was a former deputy prime minister. The people are too smart now to succumb to such trivial issues unlike in the past. They voted Anwar for the message of change he promised; a fairer economic policy for all Malaysians regardless of ethnicity, combating escalating inflation, fighting corruption, restoring integrity to the judiciary and police, respecting human rights and giving more freedom of expression to the people.

In short, he promised good governance and an administration that would place the interests of the people above all others, the so-called ketuanan rakyat. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak was gracious enough to promptly accept defeat and congratulate Anwar for his success. Najib’s magnanimous actions are most commendable as they augur well for our democratic system but that alone is not enough to win the hearts of the people.

Much more needs to be done to convince the people that BN is serious in bringing about the changes demanded by them. It is time for BN to change its style of operation to show that it is listening to the people. It cannot win by just highlighting the negatives of the opponent. Instead, it should emphasise on the positive attributes.

The BN should not try to undermine Anwar’s legitimate victory in Permatang Pauh as it would only mean showing disrespect for the people. Instead it should be magnanimous to accept him and work together with him as the Opposition Leader for the well-being of all the people. I am sure Anwar with his vast experience and wisdom has much to contribute to the nation.

We have come a long way to develop our country to what it is today, but after 51 years of self-rule the most glaring problem we have is the racial and religious polarisation of our once united multiracial population. The vast majority of Malaysians share a common dream, that one day Malaysia becomes a developed nation by the wholehearted contribution of all races, a day when all communities are accepted as equal and every citizen feels equally proud to be called Malaysian.

It is customary for our leaders to give their merdeka message to the people. On this 51st annivesary of our independence; the people instead, have in their own way, given their merdeka message to the leaders. “Bring change quickly or we will make the change”.

Let us all in our own little way act to fulfil the will of the rakyat by working towards the evolution of a successful, peaceful, harmonious and multiracial Malaysia, where ketuanan rakyat will always reign supreme.

Dr Chris Anthony
Butterworth
The Sun