FIVE months have passed since the 14th general election, and many are still struggling to find their footing in the New Malaysia. The goalposts for democracy have shifted somewhat, and with it, the freedoms granted.

The problem is, no one knows for sure how much these goalposts have shifted, and intrepid souls from media organisations, enforcement agencies and civil society organisations, once effectively almost silenced by the system, are slowly discovering their voice.

Good policy changes have been made by the present government, some that we never thought would see the light of day – digital textbooks, rationalising national debt, cutting down on excesses and corruption, even removing oppressive laws and the death penalty.

These bode well for liberalising Malaysia, and will have wide- and far-reaching positive consequences for our future generations. Indeed, many in the present government and their allies have long fought for this, since their early days in the opposition.

Many of the oppressive laws used by enforcement agencies and the biased, borderline abuse in the legal process have been against those critical of the government, more often than not, opposition politicians and activists.

As people who have suffered the brunt of these abuses, members of the present government should be most familiar with its brutality.

Abolishing these laws and amending the way these laws are enforced should, therefore, be immediate, and like everything in law, be done without fear or favour.

For example, the overnight questioning of suspects should no longer be practised, even for people from the previous regime associated with the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal. Vengeance should have no place in the justice system.

The right to assemble and shout anti-government slogans should be permitted, as long as people do not infringe on the rights of other Malaysians going about their daily life. It should not matter who is doing the shouting, or how ridiculous or hollow the slogans are.

We cannot, on one hand, fight for these rights, and on the other, wish that the old ways are imposed on people we do not like, despite what we think about them.

Meanwhile, people who have long supported these laws, arbitrarily applying them to their political enemies, and up to a few months ago, had nothing to say about the matter, really have little moral standing to say anything about it. However, they, too, deserve protection under the democracy that Malaysia now aspires to be.

Showing mercy to one’s enemies is also bound to score points with the public, so it might not be such an unwise thing to do, politically.

Another thing that makes political sense is consistency.

As the late Karpal Singh once famously said, while political alliances and friendships aren’t permanent, principles should be.

Laws on political funding, the usage of government machinery for political purposes and equal access for the opposition were things Pakatan Harapan once fought hard for. It is heartening to see much of these being studied and implemented.

The national obsession with titles is another thing we could do less with. Again, the government, particularly DAP, has shown its leadership in this.

They should, however, set out clear guidelines on accepting such titles, which have evolved as a means, among others, of royals’ endorsement of politicians or their performance. Not accepting could, in itself, turn into another political issue.

Besides, DAP’s own politicians have accepted titles in the past, without any obvious reprimand.

Present leaders’ consistency in instilling better values and restoring what had been eroded in the past will serve as a clear guide to those below them, as opposed to picking out what’s popular, when. – October 31, 2018.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.