Malaysian 'catharsis' towards a people-centric government that respects democracy, truth, freedom, justice, integrity and social welfare
Aristotle, the Greek philosopher was amongst the first to introduce the word “catharsis”, that has been defined as “a purification or purgation that brings about spiritual renewal or release from tension”. Malaysians also have to go through this purification to being about a spiritual renewal towards a people-centric government that respects democracy, truth, freedom, justice, integrity and social welfare.
BN’s resistance towards this spiritual renewal for all Malaysias are resisted by regressive and extremist forces led by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyidin Yassin. Malaysian political life is dominated by Malays and DAP have never even demanded for the post of the Prime Minister or the Deputy Prime Minister. Yet Mahathir can distort the results of Election 2013 demonstrate “Chinese racism”, fanned by the DAP to ensure the community’s domination of Malaysian politics.
Mahathir and UMNO is trying to distract attention from the fact that BN lost the popular vote for the first time in history in winning only 47% as compared to PR’s 51% of the popular vote by framing the results racially as a Chinese-vs-Malay vote. This was not a demographic but more of a spatial or geographical “urban-rural” divide where PR won the urban vote but lost the rural votre, encompassing all races whether Malays, Indians, Chinese Ibans or Kadazans.
Extremists in UMNO ignore the fact that the Chinese only form 25% of the country’s population. Even if every Chinese supported PR, where did the remaining 26% of the popular vote come from. In Terengganu with less than 5% Chinese voters, was it the Chinese voters that caused UMNO to nearly lose the state which UMNO won by only 2 seats of 17-15?
Again when Mahathir claims that only Karpal Singh was elected into the DAP Central Executive Committee, then are Sdr M Kulasegaran, Gobind Singh Deo and Zairil Khir Johari who were also elected in the CEC also Chinese? UMNO again lied that DAP won in Chinese majority areas ignoring the unprecedented results of DAP Malay and Chinese candidates winning in Malay majority areas by comfortable majorities such as:-
Seremban parliamentary seat in Negeri Sembilan won by Sdr Anthony Loke by a majority of 12,553 votes or 53% of the popular vote in a seat with 44% Malay voters, 14% Indian and 41% Chinese voters;
Raub parliament seat in Pahang with 50% Malay, 40% Chinese 6% Indian and 4% others;
Duyong state seat in Melaka with 50% Malay voters;
Mentakab state seat in Pahang with 52% Malay, 40% Chinese 6% Indian and 2% others; and
Derga state seat in Kedah won by Tan Kok Yew with 1,156 votes, a seat with 56% Malay, 39% Chinese and 4% Indian and 1% others.
DAP is more representative of Malaysia than either UMNO or MCA or MIC by having elected representatives who are Chinese, Indian, Malay and Kadazan. What is certain that Mahathir is willing to kill his Vision 2020 Bangsa Malaysia in pursuit of his racist agenda. Sadly Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak is willing to see his Deputy Tan Sri Muhyidin kill off his 1Malaysia slogan in support of Mahathir.
UMNO is using racism so that they can avoid addressing the real reasons for BN’s loss of popular vote by 51% of Malaysians, as a clear rejection of BN’s corruption, cronyism and abuse of power. Malaysians have to stoically face up and overcome provocative actions such as a racist boycott against products made by Chinese busineses, demonising the Chinese as enemies of the Malays, Tan Sri Muhyidin openly threatening not to assist the Chinese community and even Utusan Malaysia wanting to celebrate the murder of innocent Malaysians in the May 13 racial riots.
We are encouraged by the courageous actions of many Malays who have rejected this racist agenda of UMNO and Utusan Malaysia. We must not lose hope but continue this journey of catharsis towards this spirit of renewal for a new Malaysia. Remember what the American philosopher Eric Hoffer said, "No matter how noble the objectives of a government, if it blurs decency and kindness, cheapens human life and breeds ill will and suspicion – it is an evil government".
