MAY 12 — It’s been two days since we have ushered in a new era of politics. Malaysians have made their voices clear through the vote, and now we’re entering uncharted waters.
Both for Pakatan Harapan (PH) who have never been in federal power, and Barisan Nasional (BN) who have lost their seat of power after six decades.
And as with anything new, after decades of the familiar, we find ourselves asking each other how do we start defining or setting parametres for this new terrain. This is normal and completely understandable.
For the past few days, my friends from both sides of the divide have been asking themselves a series of unending questions on how to navigate this next stage of the political landscape.
It is easy, while caught up in the victory of a new government, for PH supporters who have long waited — to forget that in this election, we have both winners and losers.
It is imperative for us at this moment to empathise with those on the BN side, reach over and act with grace.
To show that the values PH has been fighting so hard for: equality, justice, compassion, freedom and equity is not just a once every five years rhetoric — but existing and constant values that persuaded the majority of Malaysians to vote PH in.
This is why today, I am penning this open letter to BN supporters, to remind them that they still matter; their voices, thoughts, convictions and beliefs.
Because what is democracy if not the peak political practice of diversity? Their vote was as valid as those who also voted for PH. Democracy is, and never should be about the tyranny of the majority.
This is a lesson we’ve learned from BN’s regime and should never repeat.
PH supporters should do well to remember this and reform the decades-long feelings of injustice into compassion. This is the chance for PH supporters to be the better person.
So from here on out, I shall address this letter directly to BN supporters:
1. It’s okay to feel this way
Firstly, I acknowledge that it must be a difficult time for you right now. With loss comes fear. What happens next? Will the threats of retribution told by BN politicians finally become a reality? What happens to my rights, what happens to the country — now that the familiar is no longer?
I understand and imagine that it is a terrifying place to be in, with emotions peaking between disappointment, anxiety and fear of the unknown. This is understandable, and it is okay and normal to feel this way.
But like any new terrain, this too presents an opportunity to change, react and adapt. Take your time.
Sit with these feelings and reflect; ask yourself why do you feel this way. And more importantly, will the worst fears told by BN politicians really come to pass? Six decades of familiarity is understandably difficult to shake off.
What more when the BN leadership had spent all that time reminding how terrible the consequences could be — dangling the very real May 13th riots as an example.
But if there’s one thing I can assure you, Malaysians this time around are committed to harmony.
That a peaceful democratic process was engaged by both PH politicians and supporters should indicate that much.
No one wants to fight; no one wants violence. When it comes to the economy — it doesn’t benefit anyone, least of all the newly-minted PH government to have the economy crashing down after being voted in.
The government coalition’s efforts in trying to stabilise the country’s economy is not just for them, but for you too.
PH would gain nothing by hurting others and should well remember that if they do — they too, will face the same fate BN did in this recent election.
2. What you can do now —actively engage and participate
Democracy is built on the foundations of diversity. The acknowledgement that everyone’s voices matter and carry equal weight in society.
It is not wrong to believe that Bumiputera privileges or the empowerment of Islamic institutions should be the nation’s most important agenda.
You are entitled to that belief, and you are welcome to voice it. But in a healthy democracy, we should also accept that others are also welcome to challenge your views with theirs.
This is also the foundation of a democratic structure: the healthy engagement and debate between different opinions and arguments; negotiating for the best possible solution and conclusion. And if not, to adopt maturity and agree to disagree.
Your views are as valid as the views of PH supporters. As Malaysians, we all ultimately want the same thing: harmony, a safe and comfortable environment, a livelihood, and a chance to be equal among others, be in our careers or within society.
We elect political representatives and a government who fights for our rights to achieve those material conditions. And despite our differing beliefs and the very real socio-historical differences, as Malaysians, we still share the same histories and an aspiration for a better tomorrow. And it is equally important to remember: no one way is the right way.
Democracy, like life, is a series of trials and errors. But it is through the experience of mistakes is how we grow and carve out a better future.
So, this is my challenge to you: be an active voice in the democratic process. Just like how PH supporters have actively voiced out and critiqued the wrongdoings of the previous administration — you too, as Malaysian citizens, have every right to do the same to this new administration.
It is not just political institutions that play the role of check and balance in democracy but also the will and voices of the rakyat — as this recent election has demonstrated.
Speak truth to power, and call out what is politically, ethically, and morally wrong. And as in any debate, speak with facts. Moving forward, we should no longer be relying on sophistry, rhetoric, and name-calling to win arguments.
More importantly, we should also be willing to admit that we may not be right all the time and be open to having our opinions challenged and our beliefs transformed. Transformation should not only take place within institutions but ourselves.
I’m a strong believer that genuine engagements with others are an important component of transformation and growth.
To engage not for the sake of it — but because you want to genuinely learn and challenge your beliefs.
3. Be the change you want to see
How did PH garner so much support that it could win this historic election? The answer is not as simple as Datuk Seri Najib Razak being a toxic leadership image for BN, or the dissatisfaction with the rakyat’s immediate material conditions.
Beyond the politically obvious, it is also the desire for the nation to embody and materialise what their supporters identified as PH’s values. For the past decade, I have seen my both my BN and PH friends actively engage with communities through volunteering.
A cynic could say that volunteering while wearing a political party’s brand might seem opportunistic — but I do not question my friends’ sincerity in helping others. It is this act of engagement that communicates the values your political party has.
These small acts that slowly persuade others that you and your larger affiliation does care. And this sort of engagement is not only limited to volunteering but also the public space.
Leading by example is the best way to inspire others to do the same; to rally support for what you do and believe.
Post-election, my BN grassroots friends lament that Najib Razak’s reputation was what severely hurt their chances to win seats in their constituencies, despite the decades of good grassroots work serviced to the community.
I can only say this: don’t stop doing the good work you have sown for decades. The rakyat still needs you. There will always be a marginalised group in society — speak out for them. This can be an opportunity to healthily engage with the community; to persuade them that your political ideology and affiliation is not defined by your leadership.
That BN, as an entity, transcends just a single man or a broken leadership system. It is worth remembering that the rakyat does not owe any political party their vote.
There should be no such thing as ‘bersyukurlah’ or entitlement for duties done. Servicing, when done genuinely, will show itself as actions speak louder than words.
No one should feel the obligation to return a vote for something that is seen as a civic duty. Persuasion and kindness, I believe, is the key to winning back your votes. The democratic process, after all, is about persuasion.
This too, extends to your relationships with PH supporters. There is no opportunity like now to set aside ideological differences and work together for the betterment of society.
While I have pointed out earlier that PH supporters should be the better person, it is also an invitation for you to do the same and for us all engage in mature politics.
No one loses out when we’re a little bit kinder and understanding to others and their differences. After all, we are all working towards a common goal.
Throughout this election, I have seen the slogan ‘Ubah’ repeat itself unendingly. Translated directly, it means change. But it could also mean ‘transform’ — which I feel is a more accurate understanding of the word, if contextualised to Malaysia and where we are at now.
After six decades, we are given the opportunity to wash clean the dirt of the past, transform ourselves and be better. This doesn’t mean we necessarily need to let go of our ideals and beliefs, since, as any historian would tell you, we are defined by our past.
Democracy is about growth and transformation — an impetus for each generation to evolve and adopt better values fit for both our time and society. In ‘Capital’, economist Thomas Piketty argued that introducing policies or change take thirty years to manifest its effects; effectively a generation.
So here, I offer you my hand, as well as to those from PH and members from other political parties. This is our chance to steer the nation to where we aspire it to be — this time together.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
