Change is happening, Malaysians have spoken
Malaysiakini.com
Mar 13, 2008
P Dev Anand Pillai 

As we saw it on Saturday, Malaysia has decided that we must chart a new path in multiracial politics. What Datuk Onn bin Jaafar tried to introduce in the 50s is being requested by Malaysians and we have to start with this agenda immediately. The Malays, Chinese, Indians and the East Malaysians are all Malaysians first. Poverty and suffering transcends race, religion and ethnicity. The vast gap between the have and the have-nots must be addressed by the Opposition and the ruling coalition without looking into race and religion anymore. The poor must be assisted with reasonable and affordable housing and education must be assessable to all since we have 20 public universities now. MCPX

It will be common for the members of the new state administrations to ask for top positions because of their efforts in getting the people to vote in their administration but it must be noted that mutual co-operation and multi-racial acceptance must always be seen to be implemented. Having a Malay Menteri Besar with a Chinese and Indian deputy will see a new start to multi- racial politics in Malaysia. The position of the Malays will always be safeguarded but if the non- Malays are included in the administration at the top level in the states - which the new generation of voters have never seen before - Malaysians will embrace multi-racialism in party politics.

Let places of worship be where they are as long as there are devotees attending it and a committee responsible for its upkeep. Being multi-racial, we must always be reminded that the past racially divided way of governance must not be practiced anymore by the new elected state government executives. Members of Parliament and the state legislative assemblies must always go to the people and be a part of them. Discard the old practice of being aloof and not being on the ground as often as the people would like them to be. Walkabouts within the constituencies and being with the people as they face their challenges will be something that all new elected representatives of the people must now embrace. A Malay problem, a Chinese problem and an Indian problem must now be seen as a Malaysian problem.

Local councils must clean up their act and corruption must be battled at all fronts. Legitimate request for licenses to start small businesses and trade must be given without looking into race and ethnicity so that the believe and trust in the new administration is not eroded. Government servants must learn the fact that governments can come and go but as a government servant, they must always be there to do their job iin accordance to the General Orders without fear or favour and not expect the usual ‘extras’ or ‘ duit kopi in any form whatsoever. There will still be some pockets of it but if a start to clean the system is made, one is sure that a large majority will cooperate to make it work.

The police have pledged that they are apolitical but a process must start with the IGP promising that he and his officers will not take sides but instead maintain peace and public order in accordance with what the law allows and not suppress evidence because of the orders of someone in high places. The proposal for the IPCMC must slowly be incorporated to make the police force into a more professional and dynamic force which will use modern science to battle crime and ensure public peace.

The Judiciary is on the way to cleansing itself with the current chief justice at the helm but once he retires, the successor must be seen to be a rehabilitator instead of a cohort. Appointment and promotion of judges must be made by seniority and merit. Judgments not in favour of the authorities must be seen as a call to reform and govern better.

We shall await and give the new state governments a chance to prove themselves for the people will be watching and assessing. Extreme ideology which will not go down well with the electorate must not be proposed like the implementation of hudud laws. If PAS is for all, then it should embrace all and govern fairly without forcing any form of ideology which will only make the people distance themselves from it. Change is slowly happening. Malaysians have spoken so its time to pick up the pieces and govern well. Save on expenditure and do not to burden the people. 

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