THE prime minister’s advice against hate politics is most welcome by all right-thinking Malaysians. The good advice is also very timely at this time, only a few months before the 14th general election.

However, hate politics is not practised by some opposition leaders alone, but by politicians in the ruling party as well, hence, the pertinent advice or warning should apply to them, too.

I believe that Prime Minister Najib Razak did not mean to offer this good advice only to some opposition leaders, but also some of his own party’s leaders as well.

Indeed, hate politics, and racial and religious bigotry from any and all political quarters should, to be fair, be equally condemned with the same vehemence. There cannot and must not be double standards conceived or implemented in administrating justice and righteousness for all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion, economic standing, and social or geographical disposition.

The prime minister’s advice should be included by voters as a criterion when they vote in GE14, together with other vital criteria.

What should the criteria for voting in GE14 be?

1. The prime minister’s advice to reject hate politics must be followed by all. Thus, all election candidates who have a record of making “hate statements” that undermine national unity, at any time, should be rejected at the ballot box. The press has highlighted these anti-unity statements and elements, and they should be easily traced and (these candidates should be) punished in the polls.

2. Religious parties, leaders and practitioners who have condemned other religions or religious practices in the past should be identified and cast aside in the polls. All those who have preached hatred and intolerance should similarly be isolated in the election.

3. Corrupt candidates should definitely be castigated. How can we fight corruption if we vote for those known to be living beyond their means, and especially those known to be corrupt? Perhaps, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission can help voters in this regard?

4. Racists who are known to have made racial remarks and slurs are well known. It would be irresponsible of voters to ignore some candidates’ racist public statements and support them in the polls. In doing so, it can be construed that we are contributing to and condoning racism ourselves. So, we have to be vigilant and cast our votes against even perceived  racists.

5. True Malaysian candidates who have a record of solid service to improve the welfare of all Malaysians, and not only the elite or particular race-based and religious groups. Those who are not such candidates should be rejected in the polls. We have to establish a new election culture, where we vote for integrity and fairness, and only for those who will improve the welfare and quality of life for all Malaysians, based on basic needs and human rights, and not on the basis of race and religion!

6. It would be useful to vote for candidates who fulfil the above criteria rather than vote for political parties per se. Often, political parties all over the world can be hijacked by big business, and other narrow political, racial and religious vested interests that look after the rich and the powerful only. This phenomenon is observed as state capture and money politics, serving the interests of the higher and more exclusive levels of society, and not the rakyat, including the middle-income group.

7. The election manifestos of all political parties and individual candidates, and their past performance, will have to be carefully scrutinised before votes are cast for them. Once they are elected to positions of power, they can be a danger to individual welfare and national progress if such candidates are not properly vetted and carefully elected.

8. Inflation and the cost of living have been steadily rising, while the standards of living have been falling, especially for the low-income group. The transformation of the country and economy should, therefore, be more structural than marginal. While abolishing road tolls, and providing BR1M and other forms of aid to farmers, fishermen and schoolchildren are necessary and welcome, the major causes of our socio-economic and political weaknesses should be addressed more aggressively and speedily.

9. Election manifestos must clearly outline what we will do to raise efficiency and competitiveness to reduce crime, discourage severe brain drain, raise wages and the quality of education, and adjust more to the challenges of the digital economy.

Conclusion

Finally, we have to choose our political leaders wisely and diligently, or pay a high price in terms of failure. The wrong choice of candidates and any manipulation of the electoral system can, and will, cause immense losses for the Malaysian public, as well as hurt international confidence, which will cause us to falter more and decline as a nation and as Malaysians.

This is why it is regretted that about four million Malaysians have still not registered to vote.

This is a shame. We have to exercise our rights and responsibilities, or blame ourselves if we have more bad governance in the future.

The prime minister’s advice against hate politics should apply to all forthcoming election candidates, and also to bad governance, for the progress of our beloved country and people!

We all deserve a better deal for the future.

A blessed New Year to all! – January 8, 2018.

* Ramon Navaratnam is chairman of the Asli Centre of Public Policy.

* 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.