MALAYSIANS should be patient with the new Pakatan Harapan government as it works to fulfil its pledges in its first 100 days in office, a Catholic priest told a forum last night. 

Reverend Father Clarence Devadass, director at the Catholic Research Centre in Kuala Lumpur also told Christians who had backed PH not to gloat over the historic GE14 win, reminding them that now was the time for “reconciliation, restoration and rejuvenation”.

“They (the voters) want to transcend fear and corruption and we Christians should build on that,” Devadass told about 200 people in the Church of St Francis Xavier in Petaling Jaya last night. 

“There is a moral reawakening in Malaysia. Their conscience was pricked and they responded. Ethnicity is no longer an issue. 

“But people are looking for quick fixes. My fear is that people will become impatient. Pakatan gave themselves 100 days… and if you don’t see results, people will start getting impatient and pessimism will come back again.”

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia political scientist Helen Ting and Kairos Dialogue Network exco Eugene Yapp were the other speakers at last night’s forum, Hope, Realities and the Road Ahead – Post-GE14 Christian Reflections.

Devadass said reforms could mean “going back to our traditions to work towards a new Malaysia that our forefathers dreamt of.”

“The key to getting all this right is patience. We need to be patient and give our leaders space and support them. I think we all have a role to play, every one of us, no matter what age or ethnicity. 

To a question from the floor regarding opposition to the appointment of Maszlee Malik as education minister, Devadass said Christians should not engage in character assassination.

Some have called Maszlee an Islamist who allegedly supports controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik.

“We shouldn’t take the moral high ground now and start judging other people. Whatever position he takes, let’s give him a chance to prove himself,” said Devadass.

“What is important is not to be engrossed in little issues because new freedom will come with new responsibilities and we need to take ownership of this country.” 
  
He is heartened to see citizens raising money to help with the country’s RM1 trillion debt: “You never hear of citizens chipping in to help the government. These are signs of great hope.”
 
Among the pledges PH says it will make good in its first 100 days are to abolish the goods and services tax, reintroduce fuel subsidies, audit scandal-ridden institutions, and review mega projects. – May 31, 2018.