JUST four years ago, in April 2014, Karpal Singh died in a tragic road accident. His death brought great sadness to not only his family, but to many in this nation who had followed and admired his courage and strength in his political and court battles over the years.

Karpal never shirked from a fight and landed himself in jail several times for his trouble. Along with the many tributes came a few bitter, puerile barbs mocking him for his strong stand against the implementation of hudud laws in Malaysia.

These politicians, from the now deposed governing party of the nation, said Karpal died a tragic death due to his stand on hudud. “He got what was coming to him” was the theme. The mocking of Karpal by these unfledged politicians was left unpunished by the leaders of their party – this presumably on the premise that any disparaging remarks against someone seen to be “speaking against Islam” would find favour with many in their political base.

The fact of the matter is that the callow remarks about Karpal were being condoned and even, perhaps, encouraged by the silence of those in power within this party.

I’m not sure whether I was more shocked and disturbed by the senseless and inane jibes of the idiotic politicians, or the silence of the leaders of the feudalistic political party they belong to. The fact that it was okay in Malaysia, in 2014, to insult a dead man with cheap, low shots really pushed me over the edge into thinking that this nation was really on its way down. It was heading towards condoning and accepting religious extremism. We were apparently living in an environment where nobody could even say they were opposed to having religious laws being implemented nationally.

I was very troubled by this episode and was really unsure where we, as a nation, were heading. This drove me to write a piece titled “What do I tell my sons?, which was carried by The Malaysian Insider. It was essentially about whether I should tell my sons to come back from wherever they were intending to go to study, or advise them to just stay overseas and make a life and living there.

This was a problem faced by many parents in Malaysia over the years. Many advised their children to simply stay put wherever they have gone to study, find a job and continue living there, wherever “there” is. Many actually migrated with their children.

As a father of three sons, I felt really conflicted. My eldest was about to head overseas to further his education. Do I tell him that there is hope in this country, notwithstanding the overwhelming evidence then (circa 2014) that Malaysia was becoming a failing state?

Corruption was rampant. Religious extremism was rearing its ugly head and appeared to be condoned. The mainstream press was pliant and muffled. We were never sure when the alternative press portals were going to be shut down. It appeared that anything and everything done to keep those in power glued to their thrones was fine.

I have always thought of Malaysia as home, and was more than happy to spend the rest of my days here. I, selfishly, also wanted my sons to come home after finishing their tertiary education. But with things looking as if they may never change for the better, I didn’t know whether I would be failing in my duties as a father if I didn’t advise or even encourage my sons to stay overseas.

Some of my friends blatantly told me that I was a fool if I asked them to come back to Malaysia.

Then came the 14th general election.

Leading up to GE14, there was a lingering sense that this nation was on the verge of change. However, the feeling that we could change the government this time was a feeling that many of us had felt in 2013, only to feel cheated. #inikalilah became #lainkalilah. It was a feeling of emptiness and lost hope after the elections. Like a jilted lover, the pain sickened you.

It was an empty feeling that many of us didn’t want to experience again. So, many of us braced for the results with the expectation that Barisan Nasional would still be in power come the morning of May 10, 2018.

However, this time, it happened. It really was “ini kali lah”. Keeping tabs on the election results live was an exhilarating experience for a change. Seeing leaders of MCA and MIC, and ministers lose was a sign of the changing tide. Watching Kam Raslan on Astro Awani tearing the Election Commission apart and almost swearing on live TV for the delayed announcement of the results was an unexpected bonus.

The first few days after May 9, one could feel the pure joy of people. Malaysians were being uncharacteristically friendly and chatty. The people were so relieved and happy that we finally managed to change the government of the day. After doing well in 2008 and getting close in 2013, we did it this time.

All of a sudden, the fact that we had a much-vilified ex-prime minister returning as PM didn’t seem to matter at all. In fact, people were glued to their TVs, phones and devices, watching his every step, cheering his every move and laughing at his ever-so-witty retorts and one-liners.

Thereafter, the nation was swept with waves of good news. The formation of the Council of Eminent Persons was cheered. More good news followed. A committee for institutional reforms was announced, comprising respected ex-judges, leaders of civil society, and the one and only Ambiga Sreenevasan.

Dr Mahathir, in press conferences, kept talking about “the rule of law” like he really understands what it means, and he actually intends to abide by it this time. Then, came the seizure of the now infamous Hermes Birkin bags and cold hard cash. Soon after, a task force was set up to investigate 1Malaysia Development Bhd. Arul Kanda Kandasamy was being “kanda-ed” for apparently having a bout of amnesia.

Scandals were lined up to be investigated. TV3 finally tried to be a TV station, as opposed to a propaganda machine under Goebbels. The Star and New Straits Times became just about as readable, as opposed to being mere publishers of obituaries.

Somebody wake me up.

This is almost too good to be true. We, as a nation, saw an end to the one and only government we have known since Malaysia’s birth. And, without bloodshed. Without riots. Without any real trouble, apart from the delayed swearing-in of the prime minister.

Malaysia went from being labelled a pariah for tolerating and keeping in power a PM who had billions in his personal bank account, to becoming a country now touted as a beacon of democracy in the region. How things have changed.

We are under a new regime comprising some who had governed under a different name, but who appear to be singing a very different tune. It’s a nice, pleasing tune, so far. However, this is not to say that everything is hunky dory.

We have many problems. A huge national debt to deal with. Overzealous people in authority shooting their mouths in press conferences. Some are simply acting silly, punch-drunk by new freedoms. Many institutions need urgent reform. Politicians, being politicians, would inevitably start jostling for power and more power.

However, Malaysia has shown the world and, more importantly, its own people that we have the maturity and power to remove a government by simply going to the ballot box and voting. We can – and have – remove the ruling government without violence or protests. We, the people of Malaysia, simply voted, and the institutions looking after the safety of the nation were strong enough to ensure a smooth transition of power.

This means that we can do this again in the next elections, and the ones after that. This is the new realisation in Malaysia for its people and all future governments. We, the people of Malaysia, have the power.

If these past two weeks are somehow a trailer for a movie called The New Malaysia, I now say to my sons:

“Remember to come home to Malaysia. Please go overseas and study, but come back to this wonderful and amazing country. Come back and ensure that institutions are respected and laws are enforced. Be vigilant that the government of the day not only promises all things nice, but delivers on its promises. Keep a watch on the politicians and people in power at all times. Throw out the politicians and political parties that betray your trust.

“Do this, and you and your future generations may well have a fair crack at living in a nation that not only believes in justice and fair play, but a nation where you can raise your families, and simply be happy and proud of your country. And, don’t forget to spend time with your dad, feed and clothe him!”

I hope that this movie, The New Malaysia, lives up to its promise of being a great blockbuster worthy of the long wait its citizens have endured. – May 28, 2018.

* Alex De Silva reads The Malaysian Insight.

* 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.