FOLLOWING the 14th general election, our nation and society should embark on a path of deconstruction and immediately follow through with reconstruction, to achieve a strong foundation for nation building.

Proper deconstruction encourages people’s participative discourse to have a better appreciation of our nation’s shortcomings, the dialectics of constantly changing interethnic relations without covering the idiosyncrasies.

In order to deconstruct, we need to fully comprehend without prejudice the historical development and socio-political-economic construct, revisit the follies in various economic policies, and finally, how we arrived at the 1Malaysia Development Bhd fiasco.

The sloganeering of “New Malaysia”, “National Reset”, “Bangsa Malaysia” and the like was pleasing to the ears. It was countered by calls for the protection of Malay rights and those of the royalty, along with strong protests against those appointed to the posts of finance minister, attorney-general and chief justice. The months after the general election on May 9 last year saw racial politicking at its extreme, even on the verge of the tipping point to incite insane, horrendous acts.

Two by-elections, Cameron Highlands and Semenyih, witnessed fiery speeches that capitalised on racial sentiments to incite hatred and suspicion to the extreme. There were suggestions that non-Muslim politicians should not be in government. Muftis suggested that it was proper to call non-Muslims “kafir”.

Self-proclaimed defenders of Islam against enemies of the religion grew bold when politicians in Pakatan Harapan chose to remain silent, which was more eerie than elegant. When they broke their silence, it was to join the opposition chorus of the Malay/Bumi agenda, showing short-term political expediency but short of the long-term visions and visionaries our nation is much in need of.

Above all, Zakir Naik, who is a champion of comparative religion and wanted in his home country for inciting hatred and money laundering, has been hailed as “inspirational”. No one would pick a fight if he were to just stick to preaching his own religion and not compare.

The mass media shares the responsibility for the current state of awkward regressive politicking that is certain to trample whatever little remains of our national harmony.

Agents of inciting racial hatred, leaders from opposition parties, who have lost all credibility for their direct and indirect commission of multiple scandals, their connivance and their failure to speak up, were given and are still being given public space to air their views.

The Malaysian masses, particular supporters of Umno and PAS, are devoid of any sense of ethics, between evil and righteousness, and have a blinkered vision of their boss, who swindled public funds from Tabung Haji, Mara and Felda, which were meant for their own welfare. Such is the sad reflection of a large portion of Malaysians who have been conditioned into a parochial value system to be indifferent to the commission of crimes and social injustices.

Our society is fortunate to have luminaries like Mohd Sheriff Mohd Kassim, Nor Faridah, Sharifah Munirah Alatas and many other eminent members of G25 Malaysia, Azly Rahman, Bakri Musa, Mariam Mokhtar, Tajuddin Rasdi, Dennis Ignatius, Anil Netto, Lim Teck Ghee, and of course, Mohd Arshad Raji of Patriot. There are many more.

They are voices of moderation and progressive thinking. Their writings should be given the widest of coverage, to be translated into Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin, to drown noises of evil intent. They should be accorded maximum participation in public discourse, to fill the void left by politicians and a docile academic community.

Against this backdrop, there is a serious need for a thorough deconstruction of our nation’s sociopolitical order. Without which, reconstruction efforts, however noble and principled, will be met with obstacles and unnecessary distractions.

We have to be honest with ourselves about our past missteps, no matter how painful it may be to revisit the mistakes and injustices done. Only after a thorough and sincere admission of our past faults will we be able to genuinely accept each other as fellow citizens with a shared destiny. We will henceforth be willing to help each other as fellow Malaysians, and not view each other through prejudicial lens.

With combined and borrowed strength, PH leaders will be able to overcome distractions and not allow the opposition to dictate the racial-religious narrative. Nation-building efforts in accordance with the agreed reform agenda is time-consuming and requires an unwavering and synchronised philosophical leadership. But first, a period of honest deconstruction is necessary. – March 21, 2019.

* Captain Dr Wong Ang Peng is a researcher with an interest in economics, politics, and health issues. He has a burning desire to do anything within his means to promote national harmony. Captain Wong is also a member of the National Patriots Association.

* 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.