EXACTLY two months ago, Malaysians did the unthinkable when we voted in a new government. For many, Barisan Nasional’s fall was far more meaningful than Pakatan Harapan’s victory.

The former ruling coalition had for the last several years displayed a level of brazen arrogance, impudence and narcissism that is characteristic of most governments that have remained comfortably in power for too long.

But as much as there was clear discontent brewing against BN, none dared to even imagine its collapse as it appeared like an indestructible fortress.

So, when the favourites fell hard in the 14th general election, most Malaysians around the world responded with much the same way as anyone who had witnessed the victory of the little guy – shock, disbelief and ultimately unfettered joy.

There is something magical about rooting for – and ultimately helping – an underdog defeat a strong, all-powerful party in a competition that is stacked to favour the front-runner, and that’s exactly what happened on May 9.

The election gave hope to all Malaysians that the Davids of the world can truly triumph over the Goliaths.

In the euphoria of this victory, overseas Malaysians began making plans to move their families home, many Malaysians working in high-ranking positions in the corporate sector began considering jobs in the civil service, and Malaysians who once yearned to migrate suddenly found little less reason to make the move.

There was just so much hope that the wrongs of the past could finally be made right.

In the victory of a hastily assembled opposition over a mammoth institution in power for 61 years, we proved that the underdog can indeed triumph over the favourites.

From the clean-up of corrupt top civil servants, to the arrest and charging of former prime minister Najib Razak for embezzlement and corruption, Malaysians declared that the once-powerful can be brought down to face the law by the sheer power of the layman’s vote.

GE14 was truly about the power of the little person and it is this same spirit that must continue to shape the new Malaysia.

Our new narrative must no longer be about magnifying the power and might of the majority, it must be about giving power to the minority.

The new course – the right course – for Malaysia must be one where the rights of the minority, the ostracised and those once condemned and ignored by society are elevated.

From the LGBT community to minority ethnic groups, from people suffering silently with mental disorders to victims of human trafficking, from the abused and voiceless woman to the modern-day slave, the majority of our country will at times be tempted to continue muzzling their calls for equality, support and respect.

But just as we celebrate GE14 as the triumph of the undermined, we must watch out against returning to the narrative of the old where the voices of diversity and the rights of the weak were snuffed out.

We must always remember that Malaysians created history and beat the odds thanks to the collective power of the underdogs.

And it will be only fitting that the new Malaysia we desire will be one where the weak, the overlooked and the disregarded segments of our society will finally be given their rightful place alongside the rest of Malaysians.

And if we ever forget that, just look at our new Pakatan Harapan government and remember how far we can go when we empower the underdogs. – July 9, 2018.

* Julia Yeow has been in journalism for two decades and counts it as her first love, despite enjoying brief stints as a lecturer, clown and salad maker. She is a strong believer in social justice, and holds that there is sometimes more truth in the greys, than the blacks and whites.

* 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.