FOR the past several years, we have been experiencing a sickening widespread of tactical fear-mongering that closely mirrors George Orwell’s classic book “1984”. The novel, published in 1949 during the beginning of the cold war between the Eastern and Western blocs, conceptualised ‘totalitarianism’ by implanting distinct images – the Thought Police, the dreadful Room 101 and the perception that ‘Big Brother is Watching You’. Until today, this novel remains to be one of this century’s most significant cultural vestiges that aptly encapsulated the political struggle between the left and right.

While ‘1984’ was a work of fiction, what is presented to us today is the classic example of life imitating art. The novel, in most ways, serves as a blunt reminder that state-sanctioned oppression and malice are not exclusive or confined to just our nation’s borders – we see the wave of oppression conceived by megalomaniacal despots engulf our region as well as Europe and the United States.

It is now 2017 and Malaysians are set to face yet another harrowing general election which has already been touted to be the dirtiest elections ever, as the ruling regime has come to a realisation that their record-breaking reign could potentially come to an end. As a result, under this present regime, we have witnessed the systematic elimination of online media criticism and public protest.

Orwell himself stated, “The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those who speak it”, and this is exactly what is going on in our great nation today. We have lived too long in a system where certain factions are favoured more than the rest, where sound-minded individuals have to tip toe around certain issues and where the weak are continuously marginalised without any promise of social mobility.

In light of the methodical breakdown of truth and social order, the endless threats made against our democratic institution and personal liberties, it is safe to say that we are living in an ‘ever-increasing Orwellian world where truth is becoming a rare commodity’.

When the regime entangles our society into the web of fake news  (i.e. Christian agenda, LGBT agenda, etc.), they oft repeat these stories to the point where people begin to somewhat fathom their ideas and it doesn’t matter how incredulous they are; we’re just meant to be intimidated as the totalitarian fabric is pulled over our eyes and blinding us into submission.

However, stripping Malaysians of our basic rights and bounding us to their grotesque right wing institution may be somewhat advantageous for them but this comes with an expiry date.

Malaysia under Najib’s regime has revealed the kind of brute authoritarianism that is reflected in Orwell’s book. However, there is a slight difference – the present system is at best a pseudo-democracy where certain institutions only exist on paper and nothing else.

For Najib and basically everyone else in the ruling regime, falsifying reality, is above all, a way of asserting power – when lies are told so repeteadly, fighting the lie becomes simply more dangerous and draining, often leading to political fatigue, apathy and indifference.

In some ways, “1984” can be regarded as a political statement of sorts; a warning to us. And while there are no prophetic declarations like Nostradamus, Orwell simply wanted to prove a point: if we continue to remain oblivious to the threats made against democratic liberties and fail to safeguard our basic rights and thoughts, we might as well concede defeat even before the battle had begun.

The blatant disregard for truth and the acceptance of patronising consensus could one day lead our nation down a path our forefathers fought so hard to prevent.

Never have the call for reforms been met with such great resolute. Malaysians of all races and religious beliefs must muster the strength to overcome the deliberated hijacking of our thoughts and values. After all, “we do not merely destroy our enemies, we change them” and the enemies that exist are those who are hell-bent on destroying the very fabric that holds our nation together. – June 10, 2017.

* Syerleena is a councillor at the Penang Island City Council (MBPP). She is a Malaysian who believes that our life experiences shape us into fascinating beings.

* 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.