ONE more former minister and Umno member today joined the fray, urging Malaysians to vote according to their conscience.

Party veteran Syed Hamid Albar, in an open letter, did not mention names but called on voters not to fall for “gifts, flashy ad campaigns and fear-mongering tactics”.

“While we should respect those in power, we should not fear them. Think carefully about the future and know that any decision you make on 9 May will not only affect the next five years, it will set a precedence for years to come,” he wrote.

Syed Hamid, who was an Umno supreme council member and held several ministerial portfolios including home and foreign affairs, joins a handful of former party stalwarts who have spoken up on the incumbent Barisan Nasional federal government.

Umno has sacked two of them, Daim Zainuddin and Rafidah Aziz, who had gone as far as to openly campaign for Pakatan Harapan and giving speeches at opposition ceramah. Former minister Rais Yatim, who has been calling for change on social media, is under investigation.

Below is the Syed Hamid Albar’s open letter to Malaysians, dated May 6, reprinted in full:

My fellow Malaysians,

Our 14th general election is mere days away now and I am sure many of you have faced your fair share of ‘gifts’, flashy ad campaigns and fear-mongering tactics. In the midst of all that noise, I hope you have also had a chance to hear voices of reason.

We as voters are not here to make the strong even stronger. Let us not fall into that trap.

Come 9 May, let us all, my fellow Malaysians, vote with our conscience to make a positive change. Vote with your heart. Vote sincerely. Let good judgment prevail. Vote for people with integrity, honour, transparency, accountability and those who are hardworking and trustworthy, so that these qualities can be imbued in a government that they represent.

This is what democracy is about – freedom to choose whomever we feel are able to translate our aspirations into actions and not merely campaign promises, slogans and manifestos.

While we should respect those in power, we should not fear them. Think carefully about the future and know that any decision you make on 9 May will not only affect the next five years, it will set a precedence for years to come.

Malaysia is a young nation and is fast shaping itself into a true democracy. It has not been a journey without hardships but I truly believe if we unite with our common goal to amplify the voice of reason, justice and honour, God willing, this will prevail over deceits, lies and falsehood.

Fellow Malaysians, let us vote and by God let our vote translate into a government of the people, by the people and for the people. The future is in our hands. Vote wisely. As Malaysians we uphold our constitution, rule of law and of the constitutional monarchy. – May 6, 2018.

* Dr Syed Hamid Syed Jaafar Albar is a former Umno Supreme Council Member. He was a member of Parliament from 1990 to 2013 and undertook various ministerial positions from 1990 until 2009. He was a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, law minister, defence minister, foreign affairs minister, and home affairs minister.