BY: CHRISTOPHER FERNANDEZ
Once more, based on the political situation in this country at present, it is evident that Malaysia is once again at the crossroads and tilting at the windmills like Don Quixote not knowing in which direction to head, lost and steeped in despair and despondency.
For those who had seen it coming, the writing on the wall, good for you, but the foremost issue at hand is what are Malaysians to do about their country, are they to sit idly and watch it descend into an even more abysmal state of sorrow and suffering?
No one should be holier-than-thou and say “I told you so” as the mess this country is in is because of decades of indifference and apathy since Merdeka in 1957 and a refusal by all Malaysians to work together in unison to achieve peace, progress and prosperity.
The result as it stands is that Malaysians have failed themselves by being petty, childish, whinging and whining when all the resources are available for us to by now become a First World Nation but the blame in failing to do so must be borne by every Malaysian.
‘Madani’ should be our common goal and vision
The vision of Malaysian prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in introducing the Madani concept is not a brainless idea but it needs to be tweaked and tinkered in certain ways to allow for the inclusivity of all Malaysians to benefit and prosper.
If the Madani concept is not working for Malaysians, it is because it needs to be fine tuned and explained and taught to everyone in the country who must be united in wanting to see the concept bear fruit.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the Madani concept and it is important not to throw the baby out with the bathtub, instead it is important to make the Madani concept work for us Malaysians by putting in effort to work out the finer details.
There is no need to and there is no time to throw out the Madani concept, instead there is a need to stick to it and see it through and every Malaysian must agree to toe the line to make this concept and vision a reality.
What really ails us as a nation?
Malaysia is a country that is infinitely blessed by the gods as it possesses every available resource. But what has gone wrong? Why is it that the nation is still lagging with pockets of development and prosperity and acres of poverty?
The reason for this is in failing to practise pure democracy and the full tenets and obligations of democracy such as fair play, justice and meritocracy which has in one fellow swoop worked to destroy this country.
Instead of tinkering with democracy, the government should play by the rules of the game and no longer adopt systems and methods that have been failing us and working to the detriment of the nation becoming a global powerhouse.
Whatever differences Malaysians have, whatever misgivings and hangups they harbour, these must be set aside and replaced by hard work, due diligence, sacrifice and dedication for the purpose of serving all Malaysians.
Aim for the common good
This means, in reality, and practicality, eradicating corruption, building the economy, creating meaningful jobs, aiming for unity and solidarity among all major races in the country and striving to think in universal terms.
No longer should a Malaysian subscribe to the accidents of birth such as race, religion and nationality but unite as a singular race in the hope of achieving wellbeing and prosperity for every Malaysian.
Discard all selfish, self-seeking and self-serving goals and ambitions and believe in the philosophy of the strong having to help the weak and this will put us all on a common page towards peace and harmony.
Malaysians have no longer time to be complacent. In this global and borderless environment they should grow up, be wiser and more mature and seek to not only enrich themselves but others as well so that all may prosper.
**Christopher Fernandez is an ardent social critic and political analyst and commentator who has been teaching and writing throughout Asia since 1984
-THE MALAYSIA VOICE
(The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher)
