Why Mahathir’s apology is so important

Some people think that there is no need for Mahathir to apologise for his past. They even think that insisting Mahathir to apologise is sort of pathetic, lacking the notion of bigger interest. As such, the whole opposition group should look forward, consolidate their strength and win the next election.

However, this writer absolutely disagrees with such a view. I think Mahathir’s apology is extremely important for the sake of reform of judiciary and transformation in the future because only by doing so, can all forces be united. What’s reform of judiciary? It means making this country normal and see that it is ruled by law and not ruled by man by amending the Constitution and laws so that the administration would comply with the principle of justice and fairness.

To realise judiciary reform means dealing with past issues squarely. Besides amending the Constitution and judiciary revision of those oppressed under the past regime, it could also be achieved by records of history. For example, the official Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa carried out major investigation into oppression under the Apartheid. The victims were encouraged to speak up about their sufferings while the oppressors had also been encouraged to own up their wrongdoings in order to be pardoned.

This is to lay bare the past for all to see and also serves as a reminder to the people how oppression had torn the country apart so that we would not return to the old ways.

Furthermore, it would help people to realize how much our country and people had suffered and thus relieve their agony and lessen their resentment. It would also build a consensus among our people over the past in order that the coutry could progress in peace and stability.

And only then can we carry out reformation steadily. Whether it is about big issues like amending the Constitution or minor issues like welfare distribution, they must be done in fairness in order to convince the people. This would prevent people from being beset by the notion of inequality and suspicion that others are getting more benefits.

We all know that Mahathir is the originator of the corrupt regime of today, whether it is about wrecking the judiciary, restricting colleges and universities students from political participation, promoting cronyism favouring friends and relatives, growing the national car industry and thus damaging existing public transport system (which has even badly damaged urban planning) and missing out the opporunity of economic transformation after the financial crisis. In other words, Mahathir sowed the seeds for many of the economic problems we face today.

Due to the global economic boom when Mahathir was in reign, his policies had not caused much negative impacts then. However, as our economy continued to slip especially in the last decade and also due to the results of the many bad policies in the past, people turned resentful against Barisan. It was at this juncture that the opposition Pakatan Harapan (which includes the former Pakatan Rakyat) had gained massive support on their call of reforms if they came into power. They promised to rectify all Barisan’s wrongdoings to normalize the nation, making it a country ruled by law.

If we are to make judiciary reform, change and build a normal nation, we must carry out some in-depth studies which could not avoid involving Mahathir. However, after Mahathir’s participation, Pakatan has now changed its former stance of digging up Barisan’s wrongdoings which would often touch on Mahathir’s abuses, to its current stance of ignoring the past.

This is absolutely not the correct way of treating the past, not to mention transformations and judiciary reform. Many countries which have not dealt with its past wrongdoings squarely could never complete the process of judiciary reform. The result is the wrongdoings could never be resolved. Do we want Malaysia to be like that?

When many Pakatan politicians and supporters lambasted Najib and demanded that he pays for his actions, isn’t there a need to also scrutinize Mahathir’s actions? If exception can be given because of political stand, would Najib be absolved if he stepped down and crossed over to Pakatan?

If this is the case, then it is about political stand and not about offences. And if this is really so, isn’t Pakatan Harapan becoming the sanctuary for the corrupt?

Does it also mean the participation of these heavyweights would raise the winning chances of Pakatan and thus, there is no need to scrutinize the past for the sake of election? If this is so, how can Pakatan make good its pledge that it would carry out reforms?

Nowadays, many Pakatan members and supporters believe that the nation needs reforms to make it better. But because of Mahathir, it is unable to deal with the past. This has also make many of them become mere bystanders. There is need to unite all people against Barisan but if all these supporters stay out just because of Mahathir alone, is it worth it?

Furthermore, Mahathir had issue with the palace in the past, will Pakatan enjoy the support of the royalty, especially the Johor palace which commands great influence over the state’s ruling power? If Mahathir apologised for his past, at least some people can ease their bitterness and go against Barisan. But if Mahathir refused to apologise, it would tantamount to splitting the opposition. Thus, for the sake of reform and the future of this nation, Mahathir’s apology is of utmost important. Let’s offer an invitation to Mahathir to make an apology to all the people for his past wrongdoings!