Malaysia is now at the political crossroads and a good and decisive election is important to restore respect and the rule of law to the country, said Universiti Putra Malaysia political science professor Jayum Jawan. 

“Malaysia is facing a serious crisis of confidence, faith and good governance. With many national leaders in the dock and many still being tried for various offenses, the chips are at its lowest ebb. 

“There is no more bottom to sink to,” he told The Malaysian Insight on what he sees in this 15th general election. 

The Fellow in the Academy of Sciences said whichever road the country took in this general election had to be made by the Malays in the peninsular, the largest racial group with 125 seats of the 222 seats in parliament. 

“The peninsular Malays need to rise above petty, personal sentiment and loyalty to any individual,” he said. 

“They need to look for leaders with good character, are incorruptible, honest, have integrity and accountability.” 

Describing the duty as “heavy”, Jayum said only the peninsular Malays “can make the change and transformation for the new political norm, to raise the profile of the nation to a new level and regain respect in the eyes of the world”. 

The other races, especially the Chinese and Indians, he said, could list what and how to restore that respect but it was the peninsular Malays who would have to take the step towards restoring that respect and the rule of law to the country. 

Jayum said that it was also not the electorate in Sabah or Sarawak who could determine that. 

“All others can help, but that first step must come from the peninsular Malays.” 

He said this is why GE15 is important because “Malaysia’s future lies in GE15”. 

“GE15 is a reset to put Malaysia back on the right track to good governance, peace, stability, growth, and equity for all,” Jayum added. – October 23, 2022.