GE14 is last chance for change

Updated 8 years ago · Published on 22 Mar 2018 10:27PM · 10 Comments

After 60 years in power, the writer believes that Barisan Nasional has lost its way, lacking the vision to inspire, and the moral authority to lead. – The Malaysian Insight pic by Zainal Abd Halim, March 22, 2018.

WE are on the cusp of GE14, one of the most momentous political events that any of us will quite possibly experience in our lifetime. Rarely in the history of a nation has so much depended upon a single decision: who we vote for will quite literally decide the destiny of our nation.

To be sure, many are piqued and frustrated that it has come down to a choice between Najib and Dr Mahathir. But this election is much more than a choice between personalities; it is a choice between two very different futures for our nation.

Politically moribund

Umno-BN have been in power for some 60 years now. Like all political parties that have overstayed their welcome, they have become politically moribund. They have lost their way, their integrity, their credibility. They have neither the vision to inspire nor the moral authority to lead.

In almost every area of governance and leadership they have failed our nation.

They have been extraordinarily incompetent and reckless fiscally, forcing our nation into levels of debt that were unheard of before. Billions of ringgit in public funds have also been looted with utter impunity or squandered through mismanagement and waste. The GST is the price we are paying for their profligacy.

The 1MDB scandal, in particular, has been especially damaging to our nation’s international credibility, not to mention to the nation’s coffers. More than 50 years of diplomacy promoting and positioning our nation have gone down the drain as a result.

It should be clear by now that they do not have the political will to eradicate corruption. When the system jails those who expose corruption and protects the scoundrels who rob us, you know the battle against corruption is over, and we’ve lost.

Under their watch, many of our once proud national institutions have been compromised or reduced to mere appendages of the ruling party.

Despite having amassed more power than any other administration since independence, they still feel vulnerable, still feel the need for yet more power, yet more limits on our freedom. Executive power is now so pervasive that we teeter on the edge of autocracy.

Can we trust a political party that has consistently abused their power with yet more power?

Under their watch, our democracy has been hollowed out; gerrymandering and malapportionment have made voting itself increasingly meaningless. In fact, this might well be the last meaningful elections to be held in Malaysia if Umno-BN is returned to power.

Under their watch, racism and religious extremism have reached alarming levels. It is simply futile to look to Umno to restore national unity because they have a vested interest in keeping the nation divided. One has only to listen in on the annual assemblies of Umno to understand how much their politics is tied to racism and religious extremism.

In the meantime, life continues to be a struggle for many; 12% of our young people below 24 are unemployed; thousands of graduates cannot find jobs; the majority of young workers cannot earn enough to live decently. And while Kuala Lumpur has more millionaires than Abu Dhabi, 90% of rural, mostly Malay households, have zero savings.

And this after 60 years of development, after decades of the NEP and other programmes.

Charting a different course

We must now ask ourselves whether or not we can afford another five years of Umno-BN rule, another five years of the same failed policies that have impoverished our nation, undermined our unity and weakened our democracy. Can we afford another five years of corruption, scandal and international shame?

If we are willing to look beyond the personalities, if we are willing to overcome our fears and Umno-BN’s scaremongering, if we are willing to settle for the pragmatic over the ideal, we might just discover that we actually have a unique opportunity to break with the past.

For the very first time, we have a multiracial coalition (Pakatan Harapan) led by experienced political leaders who are genuinely able to unite our nation behind a vision for reform and renewal. They may not be on the same page on all issues but they are united on the things that matter most – respect for the constitution, national unity and good governance.

As for Dr Mahathir, there is every indication that he will honour his commitment to “reformasi”; it is his last hurrah and he wants to get it right. In any case, Anwar Ibrahim, Mat Sabu and Lim Kit Siang will be there to ensure that no one hijacks the reform agenda.

It won’t be the end of the struggle to reform our nation but it could well be the beginning that we have long dreamed of.

A second chance

It is going to be an uphill battle to unseat Umno-BN but we are now closer than ever before. The future of our nation is in our hands. We must seize the moment and do everything in our power – campaign, donate, support and vote – to ensure victory.

Few nations get a second chance; this is our tryst with destiny and we must not squander it. – March 22, 2018.

* Dennis Ignatius is a foreign policy consultant and a 36-year veteran of the Malaysian foreign service. 
 

* 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.

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Comments

  • Considering that GE14 is basically a contention between BN and PH, and considering that between PH and BN is about as different as coke and pepsi, i would say that if GE14 is malaysia's last change, than our Fate is sealed - we have been measured and found wanting, and now we must reap what we have sowed

    Posted 8 years ago by Nehru Sathiamoorthy · Reply

    • as different as coke and pepsi? lol are you retarded? they're miles apart. seriously, you talk bullshit in every comment of yours. do the world a favour and shut your mouth.

      Posted 8 years ago by Tommy richard · Reply

    • More rubbish from "Nehru" the BN cybertrooper. There is a whole world of difference between the kleptocratic BN and a democratic Pakatan. Vote for democracy, not kleptocracy.

      Posted 8 years ago by Insightful Malaysian · Reply

    • Ha ha ha!!!!!! Nehru !!! Your write up are just a reflection of you and Dennis Maddem as a fake !!!! For god sake. Keep your pathetic foolishness in your pockets or your master might just empty them as nothing both of you are selling is worth more than a piece of shits.

      Posted 8 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • COMMENT
    Considering that GE14 is basically a contention between BN and PH, and considering that between PH and BN is about as different as coke and pepsi, i would say that if GE14 is malaysia's last chance for
    change, then our Fate is sealed - we have been measured and found wanting, and now we must reap what we have sowed...for now to to as far as the eyes can see, i reckon it is all going to downhill from here...

    Posted 8 years ago by Nehru Sathiamoorthy · Reply

  • Totally agree with Dennis. This is the last meaningful general election in Malaysia because if, God forbids, UMNO/BN wins this election, democracy will be dead in Malaysia. Even now, they are looking to outlaw any mention of 1MDB. Give them another 4 years of autocratic kleptocracy, you can kiss Malaysia's future goodbye.

    Posted 8 years ago by Insightful Malaysian · Reply

  • GE 13 was the last chance for change. And what did the opposition do but fritter away the advantage they had and the goodwill of the Malaysian people. Dont be fooled by the PH shallow manifesto which like most things Mahathir has done is to fool the people. Think of what the Penang and Selangor governments have done our build on the positivity of GE13. They have destroyed the people’s faith in them as a valid alternative. Who apart from the Chinese would applaud DAP’s UMNOist governance of Penang. For sure PKR and PAS supporters will never vote for them again. Who with any common sense would reinstate the farcical failure which was the PR coalition government of Selangor. What have any of the parties done to build on the optimism that was built on Anwar’s approach to government.... even his own party has abandoned that.All the opposition has done is to consume itself with its own righteousness and selfishness... stabbing each other in the back and desperate to show how important they are..... all to the expense of Malaysia and its people. All that adds up to is a total lack of direction and cohesion and a door which is wide open for a Mahathirist power grab.

    Posted 8 years ago by Dennis Madden · Reply

  • Part 2 Assess what the coalition parties have to say about the Mahathir Plan for the Future
    . DAP is still talking about 1MDB and the GST. With them its always about money because they know of nothing else to talk about. Bersatu is doing what its told to do.... and that is mostly to shut up. Amanah is deperately trying to avoid announcing they want an Islamic State and PR is busy infighting and going off on another Rafizi tangent. For all of BN’s failings... and there are many.... they at least are a functioning working government. So take your pick... a thief or one of the most devious,corrupt,incompetent,greedy and selfish men in the history of the world

    Posted 8 years ago by Dennis Madden · Reply

    • The next BRIM is on the way !!!!!! Stop working foolishly hard without any directions and your piece are without any credibility but just your farting...... BUT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!.... I do marvel at what you write without you yourself understanding it at all on your muddled up facts and english and also crazily you are still plodding on without a care on the damage inflicted by you to your master. Keep it up as you are somehow in your silly way, working for the rakyat to ensure a change in the regime

      Posted 8 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • Damn right, Dennis!

    Posted 8 years ago by Antares Maitreya · Reply