24/11/2022
HEALING AND RECONCILIATION FOR MALAYSIA
Today is indeed a historic day. The Yang diPertuan Agong in his wisdom has appointed Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim as the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia. The people of Malaysia had been waiting and praying for this announcement since Sunday, as PH had won the most number of seats in the 15th GE.
I extend my heartiest congratulations to DS Anwar on his appointment. It has been a long and sometimes difficult road for him but he persevered throughout the years, never giving up his dream. We are thankful that a leader who has consistently championed for truth and justice has finally been vindicated and given an opportunity to lead our country during this challenging time.
As our new Prime Minister settles into his role, the most troubling issue he and his government will have to deal with is the widespread corrupt practices that have permeated all levels of society, business and government. Grand corruption and the abuse of high-level power has seen Malaysia losing ground in economic growth and prosperity. While we were once known as a model of harmonious multi-racialism, Malaysia is lately infamous for the 1MDB corruption scandal of the 6th Prime Minister.
In order to move towards national rebuilding, I would like to suggest the setting up of a National Truth and Reconciliation Commission, modelled on the South African Commission. The South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission adopted a restorative rather than a retributive model of justice to address the problems that had arisen due to the apartheid. Malaysia can adopt the principles and the processes of that model to address the injustice and corruption that assails this nation. This will be a positive step in the way forward for us.
Our country is facing great economic hardship - people are finding it difficult just to put food on the table, with the prices of goods rising and wages stagnating. More worrying is the chasm that divides the people of different races and religions. The bubble of unity and harmony had long been burst by self-serving politicians who played on racial and religious issues to gain support.
It is now time for our nation to heal. It is time that all peoples of this country reconcile and find acceptance of each other. We must acknowledge that every citizen has a place in this country, and work towards restoring mutual respect and trust. We must make a start today so that one day, we will be as comfortable in each other’s homes as was the case during the days of our parents and grandparents. I applaud the steps taken by YB Anthony Loke and YB Lim Guan Eng who openly sought for forgiveness for past actions that had offended Sarawakians and in grace our Premier reciprocated. This should be model that we all must build on moving forward.
In addition, the new government has to work towards ending the suspicions and even hatred among the races. We need to promote understanding so that trust and faith may be restored. We need to build an inclusive Malaysia with government that practises good governance, transparency and accountability, for the good of all. We trust that the New Economic Agenda espoused by DSAI will benefit all the peoples of the land, raising our standard of living and narrowing the gap between the rich and the poor.
May God guide DSAI in his new role so that Malaysia can regain our pride as a country where muhibbah reigns and the Rukun Negara is joyfully practised.
God Bless Malaysia, God Bless us all.
Baru Bian
ADUN BA'KELALAN
24.11.2022
