* Commentary by Mustafa K. Anuar

IN his maiden speech, newly minted Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob called on fellow Malaysians, whom he now regards as “family”, to come together to rebuild the nation that has been battered by the pandemic.

His supposed sentiment for inclusivity is important as it is indirectly a reaffirmation of the fact that Malaysians are indeed a “family” of diverse peoples, stretching from the interiors of Sarawak to the Perlis edge of the peninsula. They are the legitimate stakeholders.  

To be sure, this diversity has all along been celebrated by many people who cherish and respect differences that are found in all of us. Differences should not be conveniently turned into political capital that is to be exploited for narrow ends. 

In line with the professed concern for inclusivity, it is noteworthy that the Ismail administration has expressed interest in reaching out to political rivals in the collective effort to fight the pandemic and revive the ailing economy.  

Which is why it is vital for Ismail and his government to gain the trust and confidence of the opposition when he offered them to play a role in the National Recovery Council and the Special Committee on Covid-19.

Such cross-party cooperation can also take other forms at the federal and state levels for the larger good of the people.

However, the prime minister has a lot of persuading to do, particularly with the opposition, given that his ruling Perikatan Nasional (PN) pact still suffers from a trust deficit. This partly explains the scepticism, if not cynicism, expressed by certain quarters. 

The disturbing history of the PN pack, i.e. the bloodless coup, and the bad blood between the ruling party and the opposition have given rise to a perceived distrust of the former. 

That notwithstanding, the people’s wellbeing must be prioritised over excessive partisan politicking. The painful lessons from the past 17 months or so of political instability should not be lost on all concerned Malaysians. 

There is a dire need to steer the country to a course where its citizens would feel safe and secure in terms of their lives and livelihoods, and more. We have already seen too many deaths, suicides and sufferings related to the outbreak.

As intimated above, the economy needs a reboot. Ismail rightly pointed out that there is urgency to help those who have lost their jobs or earn low or moderate-income, small and medium enterprises and also industries.

The spirit of inclusivity demands that, for instance, government assistance be extended to the desperate small business people, irrespective of their ethnic and religious backgrounds. No special preferences or qualifications are to be considered.

It is crucial that the Bera MP attempts to make good his ‘Malaysian family’ concept so that it is not rendered eventually the same lifeless status as such slogans of previous administrations as “Bangsa Malaysia”, “1Malaysia” and “Prihatin”. We are done with superficial sloganeering.  

Being part of a family obviously necessitates a sense of belonging. 

The Orang Asli in the peninsula and the Orang Asal in the Borneo states, for example, would have a much stronger feeling of being part of the ‘family’ if the kind of socio-economic development pursued by the government accommodates their cultural practices and lifestyle, and if they are always consulted on possible use of their customary native lands. 

Certain members of the “family” ought not be treated like stepchildren. 

Similarly, the vulnerable in our society warrant the government’s attention and help so that their socio-economic status can be significantly improved in the long run. What their ethnic and religious backgrounds are should not be of concern at all.

A sense of belonging should also be effectively facilitated by the government through providing democratic space to ordinary Malaysians for the right to express and dissent without fear or favour. To negate this right is to alienate them.

In other words, institutional reforms, particularly those pertaining to the citizens’ rights to freely express, assemble and form association, must be initiated. Democracy has a way of making one feel at home.

Such freedoms are also to ensure that the politicians who are supposedly entrusted to represent and protect the collective interests of the ‘family’ are held to account for their actions. 

It is hoped that the family members will have a better future guided by the principles of justice, freedom, mutual respect, and compassion. – August 24, 2021.