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Can Malaysians save themselves from wretched politics? – J. D. Lovrenciear

March 04, 2016

The latest spotlight on Malaysia comes from the weekly business journal, The Economist.

Its latest edition with the title, “The Najib effect” gives every reason for Malaysians to ask whether they can or will they ever save their nation from its “wretched politics” as described by the journal.

This well over 170-year news publisher with a worldwide circulation of 1.5 million (print and digital) and with a reach of over 6.6 million people certainly would not risk its proven reputation and be prepared to be slain by a nation which probably has the least readership reach.

When a journal that targets highly educated readers with claims of having an audience containing many influential executives and policy-makers says that Malaysia was “regressing at alarming speed”, should Malaysians not be seriously concerned?

Or do we continue to see things through pink lenses and live our lives like the proverbial frog in the well?

Not only did The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and the New York Times raise the allegations surrounding the now worldwide known 1MDB and its related multibillion dollar fund movements, but The Economist has pinned the story on the influential global notice board stating that our leader’s credibility is in “tatters”.

Are we now going to wage some legal threat battles with yet another global media? We know that the Najib administration has sacked or removed politicians and institutional leaders who do not toe the line.

We know of local media who have been shut down for saying things that cast doubts and raised concerns over the prime minister’s leadership and involvement.

The Economist claims that Malaysia’s dire economic situation is seriously compounded by the “wretched politics” that is fast taking shape on our political shoreline.

What will be the response of Najib and his chosen few loyalists be this time around?

Should we clamor for a banning of The Economist?

Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and the fallen Umno leaders in collaboration with the leaders of the opposition block and civil society are moving ahead with a fresh agenda to ‘Save Malaysia’.

Meanwhile Datuk Seri Najib Razak's Umno supporters are drumming up race and religious sentiments claiming that something must be done to put the brakes on all those who are against the warrior political leader and his oarsmen.

They are warning that the destruction of Najib’s Umno is the death of a particular race and religion.

Hence the journal’s claim that the government was using “dog-whistle politics” cannot be wrong.

Malaysians must search their conscience. This is not the time to put political agendas above all else.

The degree of shame is far too widespread across the world on the sitz-im-laben of Malaysia today.

Malaysians must cross the divides.

This is not and can never be a season to think and act in terms of race and religion.

Malaysians must feel for their nation.

Saving the country from more shame is everyone’s business including Najib and his appointed oarsmen who claim that they are doing everything in the best interest of Malaysia.

We need to see a story in the global media tomorrow that says that Malaysians succeed in destroying the “wretched politics” that has been bridling them for over six decades.

Do Malaysians have what it takes to save Malaysia? What is our net contribution?

Our leaders from all segments of society must join hands.

The shame we have amassed is not because of some "foreign" misreporting. The damage we are suffering with is not because of "some Malaysians" trying to destroy this nation.

This latest report in a yet another foreign media indicates that the time has come for a national redemption exercise. – March 4, 2016.

* J. D. Lovrenciear reads The Malaysian Insider.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.