SOME call it New Malaysia, Malaysia Baru, and yet others like me, Malaysia2.0. Is there any difference, or is it simply rhetorical nuances referring to same ideas expressed differently in language and intent? I do not believe so, and below are my reasons.

My2.0 is a technological value and definition of today’s societal infrastructure. Malaysia Baru is a Malay socio-cultural and political interpretation, which is variably defined in “Melayu” and in anglicised Malay terms. Such differences extend all the way to Sabah and Sarawak.

My1.0 was the constitutional and historical definition of the Malaysian national operating system, as defined in historic negotiations by both the Reid and Cobalt Commissions, and written into the federal constitution.

Ketuanan Melayu misapplied

Before 1963, when Malayans negotiated with the Borneo States and Singapore about the “meaning of Malaysia”, it is not obvious what exactly was that understanding, but what remains obvious and was publicly recorded by Singapore in 1965.

As the prime minister said recently however, the Malaysia Agreement is now being reviewed as insisted by both Sabah and Sarawak. My2.0 may still be realised. Finally, the abusive idea of a 14-striped flag is being corrected with a three nation-state reality as three equal ex-British colonies. Maybe also a new meaning of Brexit.

As equally argued by others like columnist Dennis Ignatius recently, “Ketuanan Melayu” is a narrow minded worldview nurtured and festered underneath the coconut shell; as captured by the saying, “katak di bawah tempurung”, it ignores rationality in favour of personal comfort of an ignorant community.

The Ketuanan Melayu is premised upon the 14 striped red and blue worldview which presumes falsely that the Malays are the first residents of Malaya, and equally mistakenly does not recognise that Sabah and Sarawak, as equal nation-states of the British Commonwealth.

Half a century ago, on May 13, 1969 Malaysia had our biggest and worst multi-ethnic strife such that an emergency was declared by the then King. That emergency lasted almost 9 months. We have since then even “modified” the National Security Council Act without a need for consultation with the Conference of Rulers.

In spite of all that, and severe gerrymandering by the former Elections Commission, thorough unequal democratic weight of each constituent’s vote; the Malaysian people had had enough and threw out the corrupt regime.

Therefore, like in 1999, enough numbers voted for change and made the grand difference. I have called that a serious but philosophical shift from the May 13 framework to the May 9 framework and what I brand as a My2.0 shift.

It is a paradigm shift because, for the first time ever we acknowledge the wrongs of the past, asking for forgiveness, and not simply or merely closing our eyes on such matters! In some ways, it is the equivalent of the truth and reconciliation effort without calling it such.

New and different operating system

The Malaysian operating system or OS, as a nation-state and country, is our national constitution. The constitution has its own basic structure which was inspired in the framing, and which cannot be changed now. The basic structure of any OS cannot be changed, almost ever, in technological systems.

Once the OS grows in its functionality, over time it grows a life of its own and cannot be merely changed at whim or fancy. It is same with any constitution, there are not only rules that given them, but also constraints built-in over time and precedence of case-history.

After May 9, with a new government in control of Putrajaya, even with an older person as prime minister, everything else has changed politically for Malaysia. All interpretations are today driven by new and different values and sophisticated technological truths.

My2.0 is different and new values driven by current realities and technologies. Social media never existed before, and today it gives hope and drives interpretations about the nature and shape of that new political reality. Each of us has an opinion, and must express that view and not be silent. – March 17, 2019.

P/S: My sincere wishes to Johann K John, my oldest as he celebrated his birthday yesterday. This column is dedicated to your generation’s new futures.

* KJ John worked in public service for 32 years, retired, and started a civil group for which he is chairman of the board. He writes to inform and educate, arguing for integration with integrity in Malaysia. He believes such a transformation has to start with the mind before it sinks into the heart!

* 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.