'Old' mindsets stifling new Malaysia?

Professor Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak
My View - The Sun Daily
September 5, 2018

THIS column was written while witnessing the unfolding of the 61st Merdeka celebration with all its splendour and freshness. The "third" wave of independence (see MyView, Aug 29) presented itself as a new platform to reshape into a more dignified, balanced and harmonious nation. New faces representing the younger generation are symbolic of this hope in taking Malaysia forward.

But how serious is this away from the celebration site is the question? At the place where I am living, for example, the evidence is overwhelming (hopefully it is an outlier) where less than 10% of the households put out any form of patriotic symbols, not limited to the Jalur Gemilang. If the national flag is an indicator, then the observation is worrying.

The "finding" is rather depressing noting that in the area there are many "well-educated" and "well-to-do" citizens judging from the locale and vehicles parked in the vicinity.

Indeed, the row of bungalows are the worst "exhibitor" in displaying any form of patriotic symbol on Merdeka day. None of them bothered to do anything. So much for new Malaysia for the rich!

More disturbing still is to know that just a stone's throw away from the location, Jalur Gemilang flags were available for as a little as RM2 a piece without GST. Either these people are too busy with themselves or too lethargic to take notice.

The latter cannot be since the management of the housing estate had an early start to flying the national flags in public spaces well before Aug 31.

On closer casual observations, the cause may be apparent. There seemed to be a skewed correlation between the numbers of Jalur Gemilang displayed and various occupants, namely those who displayed some Jawi (Arabic) scripts outdoor in contrast to the ones who hung lanterns outside, including the non-red-coloured ones. The correlation for the former is proportionally far better than the latter. Why?

The difference observed can be further understood in the larger context such as the recent and upcoming by-elections. In all these, it is hard to miss how the "racial" slants were openly used without a hint of reservation – reminiscent of the "old" ways.

Otherwise how do we explain what is happening in the by-elections where the candidates, who were jostling for the seats and power, came from the same racial stock. In other words, the reality on the ground is still very much based on the "old" mindset laced with "racial" bigotry, instead of the reverse as expected from the "new" reality that we vouched for.

Worse still is when one contesting political party has clearly opted to fly its own insignia instead of the "multiracial" coalition that it claimed to still hold allegiance to despite the glaring departure.

It can only suggest the ambivalent attitude in embracing the rump national coalition as and when it can "profit" from it.

This is almost synonymous with its general public image subscribing to the belief that money is king – viz it can buy just about anything to gain and retain power and position. Even if it means keeping complete silence – if not in defence of – when gross corruption or "stupidity", as the prime minister recently alleged, was committed as long as it can profit and gain from the situation.

Under the circumstances it would be interesting to see whether this type of "opportunistic" thinking has a place in new Malaysia come polling day on Sept 8. Particularly when that "money is king" adage, hopefully, is now a matter of the past.

Even then on the broader dimension political analysts of all shades are generally unable to convey their opinions "objectively" without trailing the racial lines too. Meaning we are still stuck within this "old" frame of mind. How sad.

So while the 61st Merdeka celebration is a phenomenal performance especially by the youthful generation, it is still very much a reality in the making until "old" mindsets are totally dispensed with – from the households to those who are hungry for power.

Otherwise, it gives a very muddled signal to the younger generation in a search for their identity as citizens of new Malaysia. What is certain is that anything "new" cannot be sustained if the scaffoldings are generally "old" in the sense that it is a liability in delivering justice for all.

Fortunately, the location of the 61st celebration serves as a keen reminder. With the Palace of Justice towering in the background, it can only mean that the third Merdeka cannot but be framed by the rule of law centring on justice. Including putting "right" what has been "wronged" in the context of historical injustices too.

To be sure, it takes a lot of hard work to be rid of "old" mindsets before "new" ones can freely emerge. The time for that has just begun. Sayangi Malaysiaku!