PETALING JAYA, Dec 25 — Malaysia experienced a world of difference on the two historic dates of May 9 and May 13, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said today.
Dr Wan Azizah was alluding to two crucial dates in the country’s history — the peaceful transition of power during the 14th general elections (GE14) on May 9 and the violent racial riots 49 years ago on May 13, 1969.
Dr Wan Azizah declared her happiness and pride in being a Malaysian, noting how the country’s citizens from all different religious communities had shown “great capacity to come together and manifest love for our nation by caring and sharing with one another”.
“We changed the government peacefully, without any bloodshed during the May 9th General Elections,” she said during a speech at an annual Christmas event here.
“Every time I think about May 9, I remember May 13. What a difference.
“We should pat ourselves on the back,” she said to loud applause from the crowd which included church leaders and those from other religious communities.
“Peace prevailed because we stood together in the decisive experience of a change of government,” she added.
In GE14, the Barisan Nasional coalition lost federal power for the first time in history, with the Pakatan Harapan coalition which Dr Wan Azizah belongs to taking over Putrajaya in an unexpected victory.
Noting that Malaysians have put their faith in the new government to usher the country into a “new era of greater justice and economic prosperity”, Dr Wan Azizah assured that the Pakatan Harapan administration would do all it could within its power to realise the “Malaysia Baharu” that was envisioned.
She also said the peace and stability currently enjoyed by Malaysians is a “collective responsibility” as everyone is a stakeholder in the country.
“The government will not hesitate to take action against those who threaten the peace and harmony in this country.
“Fake news, inflammatory messages and messages that stoke religious hatred have no place in Malaysia Baharu,” she said.
Dr Wan Azizah was speaking at the Christian Federation of Malaysia’s (CFM) annual Christmas Day hi-tea session that was this year organised by the event’s host Council of Churches Malaysia (CCM).
