WHILE I was a reading a philosophical document, I came across a powerful phrase by St Augustine, an early prominent Catholic philosopher, who said that a just society is rooted in a penitent society.

Reflecting on this statement in relation to the just-concluded Johor elections and the elections before, where Barisan Nasional won a two-thirds majority in the state assemblies, it is obvious there is an attitude and behaviour within the Malaysian society willing to place corrupt kleptocrats on pedestals, using the democratic process for short-term gains.

In the years to come Malaysia could be perceived on the world stage as a society that claims to be religious and supports corrupt politicians, as long as they can provide the short-term goodies for survival.

The fact is, the very foundation of Malaysian society, which is based on the framework of ethnic rights and calculations, finds itself clogged, where the combination of ethno-religiosity and corruption is legitimised in a sectarian sense in pursuit of power, while suppressing a broader vision of justice.

This projects Malaysia as a country with an unrepentant majority, which is inimical to a just society.

As an alternative, the opposition parties in Pakatan Harapan are in disarray due to its politics, which are confined to certain elites yet to retire graciously from the political scene, and pave the way for the young to be policymakers.

It seems that Malaysia is slowly becoming a sick man of Asia due powerfully corrupt political elites and an alternative front that can’t even built a coherent distinctive vision of a just society.

Unless the opposition parties are able come up with a dynamic vision of democratic socialist state that is fully liberated from ethno-religious ideology and corruption that is legitimised from an ethnic framework, we are far from laying the necessary foundation for a penitent society, which is vital for a just society.

Therefore, it is hoped that Malaysians who have the voting power, to start reflecting on whether we are a penitent society with a clear vision for a just society or are we willing to put up corrupt personalities at the pedestal for short-term material satisfaction?

A just society is rooted in a penitent society. – March 13, 2022.

* Ronald Benjamin is secretary of the Association for Community and Dialogue.

* 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.