14th May 2018
DEMOCRACY HAS TRIUMPHED
Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (Patriot) has observed that there is a minor discord within the ruling parties of Pakatan Harapan after the naming of three key ministers. Patriot fully supports the decision of the Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir, in being swift and decisive, as it was crucial. Time could not wait for intra party bickering of who gets what and how much.
While Patriot respect their rights to dissent and respect their views, we would like to humbly remind the leaders in Pakatan Harapan that the victory as decided on 10 May 2018 was a Malaysian victory. Conscious of Edmund Burke’s “Evil will triumph if good men do nothing”, ten of thousands came forward to volunteer, remained vigilant against electoral cheating, came back home from oversea just to vote; and against all odds delivered a fantastic 82.32% voters’ turnout even on a weekday, and in the end proved the polls wrong. Indeed, democracy has triumphed.
This Malaysian victory heralded a new beginning. Voices of the vast majority have spoken, and wanted real change. Gone was the way where race and religion as pathway to electoral gains, was used to sow distrust and division among the people. Gone was the culture of politics to enrich oneself, where seats of power were used to corrupt, abuse, and plunder. Gone was also the politics of patronage, where unqualified politicians were given position of importance in corporate bodies and GLCs. There must be checks and balance among the institutions of government to ensure transparency and accountability in governance and prevent abuse of power.
For the ruling political parties, the culture of selfish gain, of what’s in for me, for my party, for my own community, for my own race, is over. There is abundance of help needed. Tap from among those outside politics, who are very qualified and willing to serve not for money or glamour, but a genuine interest to help. Select them carefully and use them in the different levels, positions, and roles necessary in nation building.
Let us all think as Malaysians, what is good for our country as a whole. Think collective, inclusive and holistic. Simply put, we have to accept and respect one another, help one another, make every Malaysian feel important. The patriotic spirit will rise in us again. Every son and daughter of this country will be proud to call Malaysia, my home.
Let us all unite, in solidarity, work with our new government leaders, participate to rebuild, and make Malaysia great again.
BG Dato Mohamed Arshad Raji (Rtd)
President, Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan
(PPM-005-14-22052017)
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