For all Malaysians, there is a window of opportunity to get the best out of the country's 14th General Election. This will be an unusual election as the old nemesis of the Opposition party DAP is now the leader and Prime Minister designate of the Opposition alliance (Pakatan Harapan) should they win.
However, the election result is, in my view, less crucial than the communal dialogue of where our country is heading and how we manage our nation today.
This dialogue among the common citizens from across the partisan and ethnic lines has never before been more interesting. Not least because the range of issues is rich with paradoxes and scandals.
But frankly, I am not interested in the Machiavellian personalities and their actual intentions.
But frankly, I am not interested in the Machiavellian personalities and their actual intentions.
At this juncture of our history, the simplest key aim of any good government/party is to paraphrase another revitalised country, MAKE MALAYSIA GREAT AGAIN (MMGA). The Opposition must not be too micro focused on negatives nor get into personal mud slinging matches (like the corrupt and ineffectual Hillary Clinton in the US elections).
MMGA is not necessarily in economicl terms but wholistically in terms of love of country and serving the well being of each neighbor, rich or poor, whatever ethnic or creed. We must have that short, albeit essential dialogue. We must also have the grace to repent and forgive ourselves in our habitual bitter cursing of our pet political enemies.
That is why we must pray for God's mercy on our leaders and pray they have the wisdom to turn away from their old corrupt ways and international intrigue. Malaysia may or may not see political changes as a result of GE14 (although we pray & fast that it will).
But we must raise the bar of intellectual challenges by asking our politicians why are they so unimaginative and boring with no refreshing solutions to unite this multiracial and multi faith nation? Why?
Reform should not just be about removing key personalities from power for the leader of the Opposition is himself, apparently, cut from the same cloth. The solution is who has the bravery and sincerity to promote MMGA without getting into vicious personality battles.
A new nation can rarely be reborned in an election. But it is possible by the power of our words, our thoughts and our faith in the living God to make this country great again! Praise the Lord Yahweh constantly during and after this GE14. Miracles will happen in this very great year of 2018, either in a slow snowball manner or a shocking acceleration of events.
