Every cloud has a silver lining. World War 2 opened the eyes of the world to the perniciousness of wars and the need for long-term peace. New laws were created. Institutions like the United Nation were set up to prevent such tragedies from taking place again. Mindsets were transformed. Innovation and competition heightened, which inevitably contributed to the prosperity of the global market.

We could say the same of the 1MDB crisis which has plagued our beautiful nation. We are aware of the trail of destruction which it carries wherever it goes. A company which is the brainchild of Najib Abdul Razak. A company which has amassed an unprecedented RM50 billion debt. A company which has triggered investigations in more than nine countries.

A company which has infused political instability in our country due to the actions of its ‘protectors’ who would go as far as using the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma), a law intended for terrorists, to silence its critics.

In the midst of this crisis, more and more Malaysians have stood up against the structures of oppression. Who would never expect our former prime minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad, to speak out against his own beloved party (former). He even acknowledged that this problem is bigger than Najib.

The ‘cash is king’ culture is deep-rooted within the ruling coalition. The levers of power have often been abused to buttress Najib’s claim over Putrajaya. The 1MDB crisis has highlighted to all Malaysians that concrete actions are needed to save Malaysia.

It has opened the eyes of millions. In less than two months, the Save Malaysia movement was able to collect more than 1.27 million signatures. Signatures to a petition sound petty, but it actually carries a huge moral weightage with it. It’s 1.27 million Malaysians who have signed a commitment to better our nation. It’s 1.27 million Malaysians who will go back and talk about this with their families and friends. This is a historical feat.

On average, there will be at least one trending 1MDB-related issue per week on Twitter. There are more than three million Malaysians on twitter and 10 million on Facebook who’ll encounter at least one 1MDB-related post per day.

The level of political awareness has skyrocketed. Even in less urbanised settings, more and more Malaysians are aware of the ongoing crisis. In  Napoh, Jitra, more than 3,000 people turned up for the Save Malaysia gathering. In Manjoi, Perak, there were at least 3,500 people who showed up. This is a promising sign for change.

This crisis has highlighted how major reforms are needed to correct the institutional failures which give oxygen to our corrupt leaders. A mere cosmetic change is inadequate. How can a functioning democracy allow for a prime minister to consolidate power while being closely linked to company which is embroiled in global investigations in more than nine countries?

How can a functioning democracy allow for our notorious prime minister to still rule despite misusing an anti-terrorism law, despite clamping down on the media (Sarawak Report/Medium/The Malaysian Insider/blogs), despite silencing his dissenters through threats, despite having recommendations from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) and the central bank to pursue criminal investigations against him? (And many many more.)

His party members have either backed him up or are sitting in silence, anxiously waiting for the next move. The pillars of democracy have been subverted. The Attorney-General’s Chambers, the MACC, the executive branch, the police, the media and many more are not left out from the subversion campaign.

Complete overhaul needed

A complete overhaul of the system is needed. If the system is still behind the prime minister, it signals how dire of a situation we are all in. It signals the need to collectivise for the sake of our nation.

In Mexico, a law passed in 2014 under the united citizen initiative allows for the citizens to directly propose any bill in parliament if they’re able to collect more than 120,000 signatures. The Citizens Initiative movement is also driven by non-governmental organisations (NGOs), non-governmental individuals (NGIs) and prominent public figures to pursue for structural reforms in Mexico.

The crisis there has led to a people’s movement as a solution to the ongoing problem. Malaysia is also going through this phase of awakening. A much-needed awakening to spearhead change in our country. Change which is driven and powered by the people, for the people.

Last year, we were a sleeping giant, but we’ve been awakened by the 1MDB Titanic. Now, we are not a sleeping giant, but a wounded one. We are aware of the problems which surround us, but we’re still too wounded to act as a resoundingly strong force. Once we have healed from the wounds inflicted upon us, we will be able jump back in full force to take on the chains of power. To liberate ourselves once and for all.

It sounds masochistic to say, “Every cloud has a silver lining”. However at times, it takes a shot of depression to be happy. It takes suffering to drive courage. It takes an injustice to reveal the hunger for justice. That time is now.

SYED SADDIQ SYED ABDUL RAHMAN is a part-time lecturer at Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) Malaysia and is Asia’s best debater, winning the United Asia Debate Championship in May 2015.