THAT euphoria felt with fervour and vigour still sits fresh in our minds of most Malaysians. The peaceful unseating of the 61 years old Umno/Barisan Nasional regime still reverberates among Malaysians, Asean and the world.

This new shift was an exhilarating moment of possibilities, as the election promised to rejuvenate the sinking Malaysia from billion-dollar corruption scandals, deteriorating inter-ethnic/religious relations, a shrinking economy and an oppressive legal system that curtails civil liberties.

In its first year of assuming to leadership, Pakatan Harapan (PH) has shown and made numerous efforts in promoting inter-ethnic relations of Malaysians, which is not an easy task as it inherited generational practises and policies that enabled racism to grow.

PH’s serious concerns indicating national unity as the most important pillar for a nation rich in diversity – language, culture, ethnicity and religion is laudable.

Based on our observation, Pusat Komas would like to highlight some of the positive promises and initiatives made by the new government.

On one hand, this would be an appreciative statement welcoming the government’s well-intentioned ideas, programs and policies, conversely, this would also serve as a reminder what’s still needed to be done without pandering to parties whose only interest is to disrupt the peace, harmony and true reform being nurtured in a democratic Malaysia.

Release of National Unity Consultative Council Blueprint (NUCC)

While the NUCC was established by the Barisan Nasional government to address the growing issues of racial discrimination, the report and recommendations were released to the public by this new government. 

Last October, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department P. Waytha Moorthy released the blueprint for public comment.

He promised that a series of forums will be conducted to provide an overview as well as to receive and accumulate public feedbacks. 

National Unity Action Plan

As an extension from the feedbacks cumulated from the NUCC blueprint, a National Unity Action Plan will be formulated to strengthen and improve our social unity, cohesion and reconciliation.

The core function of a fair and just national unity plan will be the foundation for the future generation to be free of racial discrimination practices. We await the public announcement of this document.

Formation of Consultative Council for People’s Harmony

A consultative council looking into the possible strategies, ideas and policies to nurture and safeguard harmony, unity and national integration is to be formed in Malaysia.

In line with its election manifesto, the PH government has promised this will be a platform that serves primarily in the process of reconciliation between racial and religious groups.

The names are to be announced soon and we hope this will be an empowered council to get to the bottom of the issues of racism.

Commission of Fair Employment Opportunities

All Malaysian would be given equal employment opportunities regardless of their ethnicities. The proposed commission is designed to overcome the racist behaviours of certain employers in recruiting their desired staffs which are prevalent in both private and government sectors.

This would replicate the spirit of an encompassing new Malaysia as said by the Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng recently.  

Some of these promises made by the Pakatan Harapan government to the people of Malaysia has begun to take shape.

This is much needed in the light of public resistance on some initiatives that refer to human rights standards, as it is propelled by irrational fear instilled by several irresponsible parties. 

The government’s noble intention to ratify the ICERD along with five other international treaties in respect to social, civil and political rights were designed to ensure Malaysia comes in line with minimum international standards of human rights that promotes a better and mature democratic society.

Sadly, the opponents of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) comprising some Malay-based NGOs and political parties such as PAS and Umno manufactured unfounded threats that the special rights of Malays and Bumiputera enshrined under the Article 153 are endangered.

Instead of compromising to the bullies, the PH government should have meticulously planned the necessary communication to educate society on the positive elements in these treaties, eventually benefitting all Malaysians.

In spite of the obstacles laid in the path towards national unity, the government of the day should showcase its boldness to implement promises of building a nation fortressed against racial discrimination and social disunity.

We commend Dr Mahathir’s indication in revisiting the decision on the ratification of international treaties, particularly the Rome Statute and ICERD.

It is urgently needed that significant reforms in relation to the promotion of racial and religious unity must be tirelessly accelerated by PH, considering the rise of right-wing voices preaching anything but unity.

Possibilities of yet another U-turns should be avoided at any cost where the government and its institutions have the responsibility to demonstrate their commitment in combating and preventing incitements of hate to grow in Malaysia. 

Therefore, in accordance with the first-year anniversary of Pakatan Harapan, Pusat Komas would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the collective effort of Malaysians in materialising the May 9 fervour of change for Malaysia.

Malaysians from all walks of life voted for a Malaysia that is economically, socially and politically progressive underpinned by an inclusive and a just society. It must be championed to a tee without reservations and undermining the nation’s spirit of embracing a change hoping to be beneficial for every Malaysian.  

We call on the PH government to continue moving away from old tactics despite it being a challenging new Malaysia. – May 9, 2019

* Pusat Komas has been promoting equality and the elimination of all forms of racial discrimination in Malaysia.

* 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.