LAST Wednesday, Malaysians collectively voiced their hope for a new Malaysia that could bring a meaningful change to their lives, which had over the years encountered high cost of living, corruption, abuse of power and intimidation under the previous Barisan Nasional government.

Most of the people know what they want: a clean and efficient government that is transparent and accountable. But they also know what they don’t want: a corrupt, inefficient and arrogant ruling elite.

In short, they want a marked difference in life from the BN era of governance.

That is why it struck a chord with many Malaysians when Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin and Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman chastised newly minted Johor Menteri Besar Osman Sapian for expressing plans to deny BN opposition members of the state development funds.

The voters know that they not only want a good government but also a reliable and alert opposition that would provide the much-needed checks and balances to keep the former on its toes.

Besides, constituencies that voted for BN should not be punished and deprived of necessary development funds (that derive from taxpayers’ money) as happened under the BN rule. The rule of the political game must be changed.

Similarly, many Malaysians sighed a relief when DAP distanced itself from its newly elected lawmaker R.S.N. Rayer who called for the shutdown of TV3 simply because it had demonised him.

Malaysians, to be sure, no longer fancy the idea of ruling politicians taking heavy handed action against a media outlet just because they disagree with what was reported. There are other democratic and civilised ways of getting a redress instead of having to resort to a sledgehammer.

That is why the anti-fake news (AFN) law was heavily criticised by concerned Malaysians as it essentially meant to curb and criminalise criticism of the government.

And this explains why Malaysians were initially rattled to hear of Dr Mahathir Mohamad wanting to keep and refine the AFN law – but was later assured by MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and Finance Minister-designate Lim Guan Eng that it should be repealed as it could lend itself to abuse.

It is about time that Malaysians were offered the opportunity to enjoy, and indeed celebrate, media diversity that caters to a wide spectrum of views that exist in society.

It should not be assumed, as a BN minister once did, that Malaysians could get easily confused with the availability of many media outlets that produce various sorts of news and views.

Ministers and other ruling politicians should stop mocking the intelligence of ordinary Malaysians for they know when to strike back, and hard at that.

That is why the obnoxious Printing Presses and Publications Act must be repealed so that those who want to publish a magazine or newspaper can do so without so much a hassle as to seek permission from the home minister.

It is in this spirit of freedom of expression and of the press that, for instance, the application by Malaysiakini to publish its newspaper should be welcomed by all, including the government of the day.

Furthermore, organs of political parties should be allowed to exist as a matter of fact because these are the very channels of communication that help them disseminate their ideologies and policies to their members and general public.

Other draconian laws that violate the spirit of freedom of expression and democracy – such as Sedition Act, Official Secrets Act, etc – must be repealed, or in certain cases, properly refined to avoid possible abuse of power.

In addition, a freedom of information law should be instituted so that the citizenry would be able to access important information that they require for their daily existence. Equally important, such an access would help ensure transparency and accountability in government.

These freedoms are meant to avoid a situation where if and when avenues to express grievances and criticism by concerned Malaysians are constrained, there would emerge a disconnect between the government and the people they rule.

And it doesn’t help if the sycophantic media constantly give an undeserved glowing report about the ruling politicians and the government of the day. Neither does it help for the government to intimidate, harass and arrest the critical voices in society.

Under such circumstance, the ruling elite may be less sensitive to, if not scornful of, the fact that the interests of the people, in whose name they govern, are not duly served by the government.

It would be rather too late for the government of the day to fully realise their dereliction of duty on the day when the majority of the people register their consequent unhappiness and disgust through the ballot box.

Last Wednesday is indeed a massive display of such displeasure. – By Mustafa Kamal Anuar, May 15, 2018.