WE need to look at two areas of institutional reform simultaneously to neutralise the escalating racial and religious rhetoric that are being played up by unscrupulous parties.

There is a covert and overt ongoing intention to derail New Malaysia’s dream to unite as one nation.

The government must give priority to reforming the rule of law coupled with our education system, with great urgency.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has appropriately taken the lead in effective reform when it called for parliament to have the strongest say in the appointment of their director-general.

No other limb of the criminal justice system or branch of our democratic system have proposed the same.

It is undoubtedly the way forward in making the rule of law independent and morally supreme.

The MACC has always been our silver lining when it comes to enforcing the rule of law without fear or favour.

We must not forget their courage in calling a spade a spade during the initial investigations in the 1Malaysia Development Berhad scandal under the previous government.

They were harassed and came under immense pressure to turn a blind eye but bravely stood their ground.

It was fortunate for all that, there was a change of government and the wheels of justice are now in motion against all the perpetrators.

This is the yardstick that all enforcement agencies must take cognisance of, when adhering to the rule of law.

The MACC by making this legal proposition that signifies the correct application in the theory of checks and balances in order to enhance the separation of powers, is not only the step in the right direction but a clear message that they mean business and do not wish to be subservient to socio-political factors.

Similarly, the police must also embrace and engage this progressive proposal that is If they harbour any ambition of being truly independent of any socio-political influence.

The inspector-general of police must lead the way in tandem with the approach MACC has taken.

Although I found it quite demoralising that the IGP wants to leave his job as soon as possible, I empathise with his predicament in view of the enormity of the internal task to reform and clean up his own backyard.

We do need all our limbs in the criminal justice system to be firing on all cylinders if we are to make New Malaysia work.

Those who feel that they cannot cope with these aspirations must step aside, and allow those willing to take the bull by its horns towards effective reform, coupled with the transparency of accountability and responsibility. Time is, obviously, of the essence.

The law by itself can be stretched exhaustingly if it is not accompanied by educational reform.

It must start with our young generation in primary school with the factual history of how Malaysia was formed.

Why do we have three different independence dates for the peninsula, Sabah and Sarawak?

Followed by the most significant date of Malaysia’s formation on September 16, 1963.

These clarifications must become common knowledge for all, young and old. We need to disseminate these facts to all Malaysians encompassing the days of Malaya all the way to the formation of Malaysia.

How we fought our common enemies together and won independence. How East Malaysians put their trust and hope in the formation of Malaysia.

How we came together in sports and brought the best in our people regardless of race, colour, creed or religion. And many more such examples of how we got here.

We will gradually realise that our strength lies in our history and multicultural diversity. This needs to be told factually in our history books.

The journey ahead is getting tougher by the day for New Malaysia but then, when the going gets tough, the tough get going. – September 10, 2019.

* G. Selva reads The Malaysian Insight.

* 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.