NOV 26 — In the wake of the political "crisis" that we have experienced over the past week, which saw unprecedented public apologies being made, and once arch political rivals coming together to form a unity government for the first time in Malaysia's history, I came across social media postings with messages along the lines of "it is time to reach out to our relatives and friends who support political parties that we have not spoken to in years."
Post-GE14, where Barisan Nasional was toppled for the first time in history, there were calls for our country to reflect and heal the wounds that have been caused by political differences.
Much has been said and done to our political landscape over the past four years, and unfortunately, not only did we not heal, but the fault lines have deepened further, so much so, that blood no longer flows thicker than water.
I personally have been on the receiving end of such polarising sentiments, thankfully not from family but I've unfortunately lost some friends who went as far as to call me a traitor and other similar unsavoury descriptions just because of our differing political preferences.
The fact of the matter is that the political party that I support has no correlation to the amount of love and loyalty I have for this country.
We all have our own ideologies and ideals, but I believe at the end of the day, we still have our country's best interests at heart.
With the formation of this unity government, it seems that some of us might be ready to look past our political differences for the sake of our country.
And if we do not do so now, then the political turbulence that we have experienced over the past week would have come to nought.
If the politicians themselves can demonstrate the maturity to put aside differences to reach consensus, surely, we the rakyat can do the same, if not better.
The democratic process has been completed, the rakyat has fulfilled its duty and its mandate has been delivered.
As the world braces for a looming economic recession that's on the horizon, coupled with a stubborn health crisis that has yet to subside, a heavy burden now rests on the shoulders of newly minted Prime Minister YAB Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his Cabinet to tackle these challenges.
I am sure that all of us Malaysians will heed the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong's clarion call to unite, and be rooting for this historical unity Cabinet to lead us through this impending storm.
Nonetheless, it is also time for us ordinary rakyat on the street to come together and move forward as one, to do our very best for this beloved country that we call home.
For it is not a Malay home or a Chinese home or an Indian home or indegenious home, and neither is it a Red Party home or Blue Party home or even a Dark Blue Party home.
It is a Malaysian home, and we need to progress together as one united people. We need to heal, and heal as one we shall, as inscribed on our federal coat of arms, Bersekutu Bertambah Mutu.
May the gods of all our faiths bless this beautiful home of ours that we call Malaysia.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
