JUST last week, I spent five days in Sarajevo attending a conference appropriately entitled “Building Bridges”. Looking at the number of bridges in the city and around, some of them tracing back centuries, it’s no wonder that a country torn apart by war from 1992 to 1995 was indeed in need of building bridges.

Looking around the city, there were more than enough reminders of, not just a country that had experienced war, but the many people who remain there that are able to share their vivid stories of the war. Buildings that have seen the brunt of bullets and shrapnel from explosions remain standing, cemeteries around the city, war museums and memorials are all stark reminders of a dark past that the people of Bosnia Herzegovina have had to live through.

In a country blessed with beautiful landscapes of scenic mountains, rivers and lakes, it is hard to imagine that during the years of war, it is estimated that around 100,000 people were killed, 2.2 million people displaced and not to mention the numerous accounts of sexual violence against women.

Despite the trauma of war, especially among those who did not flee but remained, I am sure it has been an arduous task having to rebuild their lives. I met one such person and, having listened to her stories, found it was quite amazing how she has been able to put the past behind her and move forward, despite having lost friends and family during the war. What is even more amazing is the resilience that she and, I am sure, many others had, which did not allow them to remain in a state of self-pity but to be determined to rebuild their lives.

Having lived in Malaysia all my life, I am thankful for not having had to live through the experiences of many Bosnians, and after having been there, can now only admire their determination and fortitude in wanting to rise beyond this tragic past.

In some ways, it has led me to think of what is needed for us to rebuild our country, Malaysia. We have not had to live through armed conflicts but have had our fair share of “wars” over the past 60 years of our history – we have had to fight against corruption, discriminatory policies, religious bigotry, poverty and others, all for the sake of greater accountability, credibility, honesty and even equality.

My brief Bosnian experience made me realise that we in Malaysia, just like the Bosnians, now need the resilience and courage to rebuild this “new” Malaysia. Since May 9, almost every week, we are being told of the faults of the previous government and, in this process, more people are getting riled up. I cannot help but wonder how much longer we have to put up with all this finger-pointing on the part of the current government and defending on the part of the previous government. When do we (those we elected and ordinary Malaysians) get down to doing some real work?

Though we have elected our representative to effect change, the responsibility does not rely on them alone. We could take on an attitude of indifference and just sit back and expect our new government to bring about all the changes. Now that we have elected a new government, shall we not just hold them accountable? It would be quite a tragedy to think so.

When it comes to change, I am always reminded of the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “Be the change you wish to see in the world”. There can be no change if we ourselves do not decide to change in the way we do things. Change requires resilience and courage, like that of the Bosnian people, and having been there, though only for a short time, I did see and hear their determination for better days ahead.

Even though it has only been three months, it is time for Pakatan Harapan to stop the finger-pointing and get down to more affirmative action because in doing so, all the “sins” of the past get wiped away. Name-calling and finger-pointing are never the ingredients to a better future because they only serve to keep the flame of anger alive. History has shown us that “anger only begets more anger” and anger serves no purpose. Let’s lay this “60-year war” to rest and work for change with resilience and courage. – August 6, 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.