Concern And Introspection
By LIM MUN FAH/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily
History was made on 8 March 2008. The Opposition strongly rose and created an unprecedented new opportunity for Malaysia during the tsunami general elections.
However, it also brought an unprecedented new challenge as the brand new political situation forced the ruling and opposition parties to work together and at the same time, it has opened up a new battlefield for them.
A year later, we seem to have a pleasant feeling of returning to heaven from hell but we can feel the pain of falling into hell from heaven at the same time.
That was a period full of hopes for democracy. We showed our unprecedented enthusiasm in politics after we have collectively freed from a very oppressive authoritarian era. Political campaigns were constantly held and the 9/16 regime change plan became a collective call. The people were excited with victories in two by-elections. Everyone seemed to have fallen into the excitement for involving in the change of history.
However, such changing process got a blow in the half way and the 9/16 regime change collective call has been left unsettled. Meanwhile, the counter attack from BN has caused a regime change and triggered a constitutional crisis in Perak.
Yes, our politics was indeed wonderful over the past year. It was attractive with amazing dramatic variables and climaxes. But it must eventually return to normal operation instead of keep playing life and death games. At this moment, both the ruling and opposition parties need to carry out a self-examination and ask themselves:
Have we caught in the pan-politicization battles over the past year and forgotten about fighting for a more tolerant, fair, equal and just society?
Have both the ruling and the opposition parties lost their self-examination ability over the past year? Have they failed to perform their tasks?
Of course, we can still find sunshine in the darkness. The biggest achievement is, the people no longer underestimate themselves. The mentality change and power cohesion of the people have become the biggest pusher for the future reform.
In the coming year, we need a greater wisdom and a new thinking to find a new direction and open up a new situation!
