NO matter how we spin the political wheel in the past 30 years, we always seem to end up with one predominantly multiracial coalition versus a predominantly Malay-Muslim coalition. 

The nature of politics in Malaysia since the 1970s has been largely communal, in no small part due to Barisan Nasional’s overwhelming dominance, causing most Malaysians to only recognise similar power sharing structures as “stable” or viable to run the country, with all other ideologies only capable of playing a peripheral role. 

The only real difference this time around is the tone and temperature of our political discourse, which seems entrenched on a strong right-wing slant. 

We need to urgently return the conversation to the middle, or any positive initiative will be tarred as political stunts, and not obtain the much-needed buy-in and support for strategies and policies to overcome the many problems the country is facing.

A slew of common issues, including stagnant salaries, increasing debt, rising interest rates and a sluggish economy have plagued us for the past three years and it is high time we keep the national conversation centred on these problems, not so much as to dim our morale and diminish what little optimism is left for our country, but rather as a grim reminder to all that these problems are real and will not go away with any amount of politicking, nitpicking or drum-beating parties decide to do to undermine each other. 

The racial and economic divide in solving these issues need to be considered. A possible solution would be multipartisan solutions, to cover more bases. 

For example, urban farming, environmental protection, poverty eradication and gentrification could be looked at together, like initiatives implemented successfully in Singapore and Vietnam, where many rooftops of buildings have been converted into community gardens and farms. 

Sharing wealth and offloading the burden of the B40 could be an effective way to build community partnerships. 

Large corporations could “adopt” impoverished neighbourhoods or blocks of B40 housing to beautify them, increasing their security and liveability. 

These partnerships could be matched with the companies’ expertise, bases of operations, branding, and already-running corporate social responsibility initiatives. 

For example, food banks run by companies like 99 Speedmart or Econsave, People’s Housing Projects adopted by companies like Sunway or YTL, and health awareness programmes run by private hospitals. 

Similarly, well used public spaces between offices and infrastructure could be marked as shared responsibilities to bolster their usability. 

Examples of these can be seen in parts of Kuala Lumpur, Cyberjaya and Technology Park Malaysia, where companies and banks have adopted shared spaces, offloading the burden to the government. 

Another example of these are spaces adjoining train stations that have been adopted by either private companies or Prasarana, KTMB and MRT Corp. 

A great example would be the elevated walkway between World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur, Seri Pacific Hotel, Sunway Putra Mall, the adjoining LRT station, and the walkway below, which was adopted by all companies involved. 

Richer schools, such as private, or larger public schools, or even vernacular schools with larger donation boxes could make projects based on “sekolah angkat”, exposing kids from different language and social backgrounds to each other. 

For racial harmony, it could be a good time to revive projects like Rukun Tetangga and other low-cost, high-payoff, easy-to-implement, low-hanging initiatives.

The undoubtedly positive experiences generated by these initiatives would help foster closer working ties across many present divides – between racial and religious groups, between private and public sectors, and between the middle class and B40 communities, to tackle real problems faced by Malaysians from all walks of life. – January 5, 2023.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* 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.