OCTOBER 22 — In two days, ethnic Indians in Malaysia and all over the world will celebrate the festival of lights, of the triumph of good over evil and the conquest of light over darkness.
And this year, Malaysians alike will welcome this celebration amidst the buzz in the air on political party campaigns leading to what many say is the mother of all General Elections, the 15th GE.
Come what may, it is also a time for the revival of old traditions, beliefs, and cultures to resurface and emerge surrounded by delicious food, laughter, all the colours of the rainbow and joyous music and songs in the air.
While we look forward to reunions amongst family members and friends, the looming General Elections is a sound reminder of the power within the hands of Malaysians, at home and abroad to send a government by the people, of the people and for the people.
15 elections have come and gone, and have the lives of Malaysian Indians truly transformed and changed for the better?
Pledges have been made for 6 decades by Barisan Nasional but did it bring true reform in the country and change in the lives of the rakyat?
22 months under Pakatan Harapan saw institutional reforms and such but real change happens when lives are touched.
Today we have passed 2 important legislatives in Parliament — the Anti Sexual Harassment Act and amendments to the Penal Code to criminalise stalking to protect women and men from being victims of harassment and stalking.
The i-suri scheme initiated by Pakatan Harapan then, is cemented today as the Social Security Schemes for housewives, a safety net for housewives in the country which had never been done.
A ‘zero-reject’ policy was in place by the Ministry of Education so no child would be rejected from attending school which is a fundamental right to education.
Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan (and Melaka before the change of government) had supported women from all walks of life, including women through home-based industries through state agencies such as Penang Women Development Corporation in Penang, Institut Wanita Berdaya in Selangor and Power House Wanita Gemilang in Negri Sembilan.
Today we have the Sidang Wanita programme to identify leadership abilities amongst women to be groomed to be future leaders in the country to achieve a minimum 30 per cent quota of women in politics and decision-making level.
MPs from Pakatan Harapan had submitted the issue of the misappropriation of MITRA funds to be investigated by the Public Accounts Committee and I had submitted a question on the MAIKA Holdings investigations but Parliament was dissolved on October 10th and brought our work to a standstill.
Many Malaysian Indian Blueprints have come and gone and to date one is in place but how can Malaysians be sure that the contents of it is implemented?
What is needed is an independent select committee in Parliament that, like the Public Accounts Committee, has the power and authority to summon Ministers, heads of departments and government agencies for scrutiny and check and balance. A long-term plan, a solution and an oversight mechanism to ensure that pledges of change and reform materialise.
Today there are 11 Parliamentary Special Select Committees that have been working to investigate, inquire, audit and monitor government expenditures, policies and programmes and it was something that Pakatan Harapan succeeded in — parliamentary reform. And that is where the voices and the concerns of the people are raised with answers to questions.
Pakatan Harapan has proven that in 22 months so much can be done — with political will and the real desire to see change.
Yes, there were many things that we aspired to do but our stay at Putrajaya was short-lived as a result of betrayals and political chess play.
But we must be hopeful that Pakatan Harapan will be the government that all Malaysians deserve, and that hope must be transformed to votes on the 19th of November 2022.
Above all, this election, it is crucial for every Malaysian to come out in full force to send a message that we deserve the government that we want — that upholds the interest of all communities in Malaysia, without fear or favour.
Let those hands that light the kuthuvilakku be the hands that bring much needed change of leadership in the country and in the lives of every single Malaysian to steer Malaysia to be the best version of herself.
Wishing all Indians and all Malaysians a courageous, hopeful and joyous Deepavali celebration! May good triumph evil in all our lives!
* Kasthuri Patto is a former MP for Batu kawan and DAP Deputy Secretary for International Affairs.
** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
