NOW that the dust is slowly settling and the euphoria waning, it is time to get our shoes dirty and put to test the true character of this “new Malaysia”, or “Malaysia 2.0”.

Last week, we were overwhelmed with comments and analyses regarding the proposed appointment of the new attorney-general. Enough has been said about the constitutionality of this matter and I believe many Malaysians, including myself, have become informed about this matter. It is a relief that the impasse has ended and we welcome Thomas to his new role as A-G.

It is interesting to see and hear, how since May 9, lots of people have suddenly become either a political, economic or even social “analyst”. Whether professional or arm-chair analyst, this can only be good for the country. We are going through interesting times and there’s a new awakening and people are beginning to take interest in the progress of this Malaysia 2.0 – taking ownership of the democratic processes that have long been manipulated for a particular agenda.

However, there is a more worrying issue for our “new Malaysia” that the A-G issue has brought to the fore and it has to do with ethnicity. Many people commented that GE14 showed that Malaysians now have transcended the racial issues and politics that have long inundated this country. Even race-based political parties, after being defeated in GE14, called for a revamp in the way they admitted members.

When it came to light that Thomas was the person proposed by the Pakatan Harapan government for the position of the A-G, the first obstacle that was immediately clear was that he wasn’t a Malay, or that he did not speak enough Bahasa Malaysia.

One could say that this was the work of certain quarters but the fact still remains that many Malaysians are still driven by ethnic divide that has kept us apart us for a long time. When push comes to shove, the true personality rises, the dark side comes to the fore. The same can be said of the UiTM issue – when it came to race matters, people ran from being inclusive to the cave of exclusivity.

The issue of ethnicity-race is a complex one. I recall during my years studying abroad, the divide between ethnic communities, even among the men of the cloth, was something that baffled me. If religion cannot heal the scars of hate and anger, what can? Ethnic and racial issues, especially in Malaysia, do raise a certain amount of nervousness among some quarters because of the fear of losing privileges and opportunities. This is an issue that probably won’t go away so quickly and needs time to resolve.

In the old Malaysia, issues of race, religion and ethnicity have been blatantly used to divide communities and even cast fear so much so that it had emboldened some to demand that the minorities in this country be subservient to the domineering class. Since we have lived in this environment for decades, such issues which have far-reaching tentacles, it may take a while to change this mindset. This is probably the elephant in the room for the new government.

The reform of institutions is one step forward, but there is a greater need to rewire the Malaysian mindset, we need a new Malaysian DNA. GE14 has certainly pressed the reset button for Malaysia but not only in the political landscape, every Malaysian has to rethink one’s role in this newfound freedom… with new freedom comes new responsibilities!

While our elected leaders work on institutional reforms, we, Malaysians have a responsibility to work at the grassroots – to rid ourselves of the mistrust that has been sowed and even thrived for political expediency over long periods of time. In the words of Kofi Annan, “Ignorance and prejudice are the handmaidens of propaganda. Our mission, therefore, is to confront ignorance with knowledge, bigotry with tolerance (respect), and isolation with the outstretched hand of generosity.”

Malaysia 2.0 needs a new narrative – a new landscape that is not just a top-down but a ground up narrative that can complement the reforms that we have been wanting for some time now. Our fragmented nation is in great need more now than ever of reconciliation, restoration and rejuvenation. It is time not to ask what the nation can do for us but what can we do for the nation, and that will be more than just contributing to Tabung Harapan! º June 11, 2018.

* Dr Clarence Devadass is a Catholic priest and director of the Catholic Research Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Moral education is an issue close to his heart. He focuses on paving resourceful ways to promote virtues for living in a multireligious society, for a significant life together.

* 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.