THE 60th Malaysia Day today should be one observed with much pomp and splendour.
Our leaders displayed maturity and selflessness with the formation of the Unity Government after a bruising and divisive general election.
A political leader who for the best part of the last quarter century pursued a reform agenda for clean government and integrity in leadership is now our prime minister.
Sabah and Sarawak appear to be treated as equal partners with the first deputy prime minister from Sarawak. The flexing of their muscles which some may consider a push for autonomy is in fact the Borneo partners underlining what was agreed upon in the Malaysia Agreement.
However some may feel there is little to celebrate. Some of these people will be congregating in Kuala Lumpur to ‘Save Malaysia’, as they bill their rally.
Opposition party Perikatan Nasional (PN) are protesting the alleged meddling of the duties of the Attorney General’s Chambers by the Executive.
Far from being a blot on the day, this freedom to protest again underscores how far we have matured. After all, people in the current administration had cut their teeth in street protests following the political turmoil of the late 1990s.
Like PN, some may feel that the rising cost of living, creeping right wing Islamisation and a perceived selective compromise on corruption to stay in power by the incumbent may put a damper on the festivities.
However these are juxtaposed against efforts to improve the lives of society’s most vulnerable through food programmes, the liberalisation of access to information and movement, as well as improvements to the procurement processes, with the audits of government agencies being one.
And while there are efforts to divide and demonise minorities, it is heartening that this administration has not wavered from its election pitch of unity where there is no place for racism and extremism.
The relevance of the Royal institution has never been more profound with its intervention when there was no government for three days; and navigating the warring factions to compel them to work together for the good of the country.
So while there is still a lot to be done in the coming years – which one hopes does not involve more politicking and elections – a lot has also been achieved.
Indeed, we are a young nation. A work in progress. And yes, there are elements from within and without who want to do away with our way of life. And yes, our leaders can do better. We all can.
It starts with a sincere and comprehensive effort to uplift the welfare of millions of Malaysians who have fallen into hard times so that they are not taken in by racial vitriol and looking for scapegoats.
‘Tatakelola’ being the new mantra must be put to meaningful action to plug leakages that have been depriving large sections of the population of development and progress.
If this is not checked, then in the words of Indian author and activist Arundhati Roy, “it is no longer just our leaders we must fear, but a whole section of the population.”
Yes, Malaysia has a lot to celebrate but it still has a lot more work to do to ensure the dreams of our nation’s founders continue to be kept alive.
Selamat Hari Malaysia. – September 16, 2023
Terence Fernandez is Group Editor in Chief of Big Boom Media which publishes Scoop