GE14

Post GE14 - Hope for end to race politics

The 14GE, termed the Mother of all Elections, is already over with an unprecedented and overwhelming victory for the opposition Pakatan Harapan (PH).It was the most bitterly fought general elections in the history of the country which saw the fall of Barisan National (BN),the ruling party of over 60 years.

With the de-factor Opposition Leader DSAI in jail and with an disorganised and disunited opposition, the BN victory was a foregone conclusion like in all previous elections. It was fortunate to have the former PM, Tun Dr Mahathir(TDM) to join the opposition to lead the fatal attack on the BN. Despite his advanced age of 92, he managed to rally the masses behind him and became the main thrust of the opposition's assault on the BN. It was a medical miracle for a man of his age to endure such physical and mental strain of the arduous election campaigning, day and night with little rest and sleep.

For his relentless efforts he won the admiration of all Malaysians, young and old alike. Our prayers for the nation were answered as he was indeed a God-sent gift to save us and our beloved country at the right time.

The 14GE was not a fight among political parties but one of the people against the corrupt and out of touch ruling BN government. In this fight the social media played a vital role to take the message of change to every corner of the country, like never before resulting in the amazing unity of the all the people to go out in droves on polling day to vote against BN.

The success of PH in the 14GE is due not to any particular community but by all Malaysians, across  racial boundaries. It was reassuring to see for the first time Malays persuading their non-Malay friends to vote for PH. This never occurred before in the country. Clearly TDM became the people’s rallying icon for that unity.

This amazing unity of the masses of all races was unprecedented in our country which had become increasing divided along racial and religious lines for far too long. This unity was the most important outcome of the 14GE which must not be allowed to dissipate by our folly now that the PH is in power.

This exceptional, extraordinary and spontaneous unity of the people in the 14GE should be harnessed to create a multiracial Malaysia for the future generations. It should be capitalized to create a multiracial mind-set in the people of all races in particular the youth so that they will accept everyone as equal despite the differences in colour, creed and language. It is time to change the people's mind-set to do away with race-based parties and open up for multiracial ones as race-based politics is obsolete in totay’s competitive globalised world.

The people now have given the golden opportunity that must be grasped by all to get rid of race-based politics and religious extremism once and for all and prepare a mind-set that will freely adopt and accept meritocracy, fairness and goodwill to all Malaysians regardless of race and creed.

This is the most important task facing us today and ideally we should begin from our homes and schools, instilling in the minds of our young the importance of being colour-blind and accepting all citizens without distinction.

TDM  is the right person who can lead this mission to success. He has the wits, skill and determination and Malaysians have equivocally expressed in no uncertain terms their confidence in him. I am sure TDM at his age and his experience has the wisdom to realise this extraordinary unity of the people of all races and harness its effects for the future well-being of all Malaysians.

Time is running out and TDM is in a rush to rebuild the nation as are many are out there to derail his efforts at all costs. As responsible citizens we are all obligated to continue to give him our full and undivided support so that he succeeds.