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We cannot live in fear – Tariq Ismail
Malaysia has been a nation that has been gripped in fear and ruled by fear. The results of the 13th general election and the subsequent fear mongering, has dashed any hopes of reform and systematic changes. Fear has permeated into everyone's daily life – fear to fly on our national airline, fear of an economic collapse, fear of even giving constructive criticism.
A democracy stands on the pillars of liberty and justice, two things that I find missing in Malaysia today. Liberty does not necessarily mean absolute freedom to do anything with no recourse, but free to conduct one's affairs in the confines of the law. How are the citizens of Malaysia allowed to have freedom to even think when they themselves are being constantly policed?
It is fear of losing power that had resulted in a rise of extremism and divisive politics wherein race and religion have been dangled like a carrot. Race and religion should play no role to divide, especially during an age and time where the financial and political systems has failed everyone. The citizens of Malaysia should not be pawns for anyone's grand delusions of power.
March 4, 2016, will forever be etched in the History books as a day that will live in either infamy or legend. Tis were the days that former nemeses found a united cause. Whether one believes or abhors this cause, it is much needed for Malaysia. This cause will be the catalyst for us to finally grow up and mature as a democratic country.
However, this fearful to lose power, have used this declaration to save Malaysia to create further fear and to manifest hatred. Once again it is about everyone else against the Malays. Nothing can be farther from the truth.
This is about Barisan Nasional's inability to lead the citizens of the land. Pakatan Harapan and its demise were and should be a sign that Ego and Megalomania cannot lead this nation. Thus, all BN had to do was lead. Lead with a level head and not fear.
Trigger happy cohorts of a laissez faire prime minister, who interpret the laws and the Constitution with their own twisted and demonic self-centred purpose does not constitute leadership. Silencing and threatening critics is not leadership. It is cowardice.
Do we want a nation led by cowards? Do we want leaders that turn their own citizens into cowards, fools and cattle ready to be slaughtered?
Let this be time and era of the new leaders to arise. Those that can provide a vision for Malaysia and lead our people away from the fires of damnation. – March 7, 2016.
* Tariq Ismail 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.
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