Absolute power corrupts even the most righteous

Patriotism is not the sole property of the BN

I refer to “Anwar: PM creating state of fear” (Malaysiakini,Jan.9)

It is sad that the Prime Minister has branded Anwar Ibrahim as a threat to national security. This is nothing new or anything to be taken by surprise. In fact the government had all the while considered the opposition as trouble makers, anti-national and a threat to national security. It fails to understand that patriotism is not the sole property of the ruling party and its members alone. Every citizen, regardless of his race, religion, social status or political alignment, has the right and duty-bound to show his sense of patriotism to the country he loves in his own ways.

Lim Kit Siang rightly says that the opposition parties are equally patriotic, if not more than, BN leaders. Many Opposition leaders, like Lim Kit Siang,Syed Hussin Ali and Karpal Singh, to name a few, unlike those in the government, have given up much of their comforts in life, endured so much pain and humiliation and even detained and tortured under the draconian ISA, not for their own well-doing but for that of the nation. If sacrificing the major part of one's life for the nation is not patriotism, what is it then?

Of late Anwar Ibrahim appears to one of the few leaders who has risked his popularity among his own community, in supporting the genuine plight of others. He is increasingly proving himself as a leader of all races and not just the Malays. His contention that the plight any race should be regarded as a national plight is most commendable. This is what is badly needed in Malaysia today – national, not ethnic champions. Instead of asking his ministers to emulate Anwar,the Prime Minister decides to abhor his actions and condemn him as a threat to national security.

It is extremely distressing that due to the abuse by politicians wanting to cling onto power, instead of being an instrument for unity of mankind, race and religion has become the cause of disunity, hate, violence and turmoil.

Those in power should stop playing politics of fear and intimidation. They should not politicize the national security as that would be the most unpatriotic act, amounting to treachery.

The coming general election is of particular importance to all of us. Malaysia is at the crossroads today, we alone have to decide our destiny, enduring peace and harmony or self- destruction by deteriorating inter-ethnic squabbles. It is time for us to think very carefully who we want to be the custodians of the peace, harmony and real progress of our beloved nation.

Experience over the last 2-3 decades has shown all the bad that can result when we are ruled by a party with absolute majority. The Constitution is amended, new laws enacted, people detained without trial, government institutions and judiciary emasculated and subdued and abuse of power by the executive.

As mature citizens, we must not allow one party to gain absolute power as that will corrupt even the most righteous. We should not allow the national security to be compromised for political gain of any individual or party with such absolute power at their disposal.

We have journeyed together, sharing a common brotherhood, for 50 years and we have attained wisdom and maturity to effect the change, that would create an environment ,where all citizens have their voices heard, rights respected and continue to live together without fear or suspicion of each other.We should not allow selfish politicians to sow the seeds of disunity - suspicion,hate and jealosy, that will only be detrimental to us in this multi-racial and multi-religious nation.

As Barack Obama, the U.S. Presidential hopeful said after his first defeat in the primaries, “Change is hard. Change is always met by resistance from the status quo. The real gamble is to have the same old folks doing the same old things over and over and over again and somehow expect a different result,"

We cannot and should not expect a better outcome with the same old system over and over again. In order to create a just government for all we must strive to effect a change. To bring about that change may not be that easy, it may be a monumental task, but there must be a beginning for all good things to happen, why shouldn’t it be now. It is now in our hands to make that change, do we have the will and courage to do so?

Dr.Chris Anthony