The challenge of making their country a democracy let alone the ‘world's best' is one that every Malaysian should take on seriously because it is obvious the government seems incapable of being democratic and accepting public demonstrations as a legitimate act of dissent.

A change of government may be the fastest way but until that happens, the government needs to be put on notice that there are Malaysians who do not like to see students beaten and bullied by those who act more like thugs and out-of-control bouncers committing criminal assault than citizen-protecting and law-upholding policemen.

If ‘the world's best democracy' sounds far-fetched perhaps Malaysians can rightfully lay claim to the title of ‘the world's best democrushy' as it has a proven track record of crushing every act of honest political dissent.

If the Christian leaders in Malaysia spend more time speaking out against injustice and advocating for the oppressed as Jesus did then we might take them more seriously.

The Bible teaches that it is better for one to eat vegetables with the poor then to dine on the choicest meats with those who repress the people.

Leaders must set the example like John the Baptist who did mind his own business as the gatekeeper of public morals by telling King Herod off when he was guilty of an immoral act.

Those who please men against his teachings risk displeasing God who expects leaders to act beyond reproach for they will be judged even more strictly.

When Christian leaders receive fancy awards and titles for no obvious good deeds beyond their roles beware of those who relish in the rewards for they may not have any later, and let us not forget that in China the true leaders are not those celebrated by the authorities but the ones persecuted for their true faith and are forced underground like the primeval Christians in the first century.

I am not privy to what is discussed at such gatherings and it is not polite to embarrass your host with thorny issues because there is a proper place for that.

However a Christian leader who used to attend meetings with DrMahathir Mohammed when he was in power would lament to me that the leaders were more interested in taking photos with him than raising problems faced by Christians in the country then, and these problems continue to this day.

This is not a broad sweeping criticism of Christian leaders because there are some exceptional leaders but a warning that with leadership roles, come certain expectations and responsibilities that are non-negotiable.

Even the Apostle Peter when he acted improperly in public was openly rebuked by the Apostle Paul who criticised his hypocrisy that led others astray, and it was about who he chose to dine with.

Sometimes an act of omission can become a lapse of morality and naïve leaders can be used for propaganda purposes as the Pope was when Adolph Hitler and the Nazis were murdering Jews.

Surely Christian leaders supposedly endowed with the spirit of wisdom can't be that naïve.

If Christian leaders are not exemplary in their politics of righteousness who is left to provide the role model? By all means praise the government when it does well, and we should all do that, for we are to be at peace with everyone even our enemies, but be sure to tell them when they do wrong.

After all we are to submit to governments as an institution to punish wrongdoers and uphold justice but not condone their questionable conduct.

Woe to a country when its governance is corrupt and the religious leaders fail to exercise their prophetical roles when it is possible for them to do so - even a gentle word when anointed and aptly spoken can break bones.

And in a democracy it should be free for all to comment and criticise or praise without fear or favour.

Any public institution and the government should accept public criticism in its job description and not be vindictive so that society is enveloped in fear. Such reprisals are abuses of power and the people should check them.

The fear of man brings a snare but the righteous are bold as lions and it is better to fear God than man who can do nothing else after taking your life but God can send an evil person to hell.

I was delighted to watch a documentary on a young Russian journalist who took over a newspaper specialising in investigative journalism after her boss, another Russian woman, was murdered. She expects death but is not afraid because she has come to terms with fear and is determined to do her job and save her country.

Many Malaysians are not partisan to any political party but lean towards the politician who is upright and takes the role of political leadership seriously and ethically.

But politicians alone do not a democracy make.

A country's citizens play an equally important role in not only speaking out but also not voting for those politicians who do not only understand democracy but think it is something that allows them to stand over everyone else.

A misguided democracy is another name for dictatorship.

Those who are beholden to political parties and leaders of straw will someday curse their folly when they become the victims of institutionalized injustice themselves.

Ironically we have seen leaders who have been in power in government become the tragic victims themselves. A prime minister, deputy-prime ministers and ministers can themselves become victims of the system they failed to remedy when they were in power.

There are many false prophets who will lead people astray because we are told even the devil will disguise himself as an angel of light.

Whether these false prophets are religious leaders with fancy titles and equally fancy robes or bloggers who may for thirty pieces of silver like Judas betray you, you know you stand on firm ground when you commit yourself to ensuring only the politicians who deserve your vote gets into office.

Judge people by what they do not just what they say. Judge a tree by its fruit because it is divine wisdom. No good tree bears bad fruit and no bad tree bears good fruit.

If we remain steadfast to the principles of democracy and good governance we will someday raise the flag of victory for all Malaysians over the land.

It is not which party wins government but whether a good or bad politician has won.

Good citizens who support good governance and vote good politicians into office will have done a good thing - for themselves, for the good politician and for their country.

No politician is perfect but a good one will do.

After all politicians can be grouped as the good, the bad and the ugly, and fifty-four years provide more than ample time for the people to decide who is what.

Malaysia can still avoid the fate of countries that are controlled by a small group of people who hold all the wealth and power in their country. It is a perilous state.

They can choose to be slaves or masters of their country's destiny.
As for me give me good politicians for they will give me a good government. And a good government is what Malaysia desperately needs.

God bless Malaysia in 2012 and beyond.