Can Umno really save Malaysia?
For decades, we have been conditioned to find scapegoats and blame them for whatever tragedies that have befallen us. The recent Umno general assembly did exactly that and nothing else other than demonising the opposition movements, from political organisations to civil societies, questioning the legality of non-Malays in this multi-ethnic federation and demanding blind obedience from its members.
The very fact that their leaders chose to detach themselves from addressing the economy, education, healthcare and even youth unemployment, provides the solid evidence one needs to see just how far removed they have become. Winning every single general election and having almost absolute power since 1957 have stained their legacy, or at least, crippled their ability to empathise with average Malaysians
The Umno general assembly 2016 went as expected - filled with bigotry, hate-filled rhetoric and slanderous propaganda. Independent observers who attended admitted that the event was shrouded in the type of hostility and abhorrence that would make any sound minded human being cringe with nauseating repulsion.
For most of us, we know why Umno feels the need to stoop down this low; the politicians behind Umno periodically endorse hate because this feeds them and it is the only thing that keeps them alive. For most of us, we found their antics insipid and question the rage behind their fiery speeches that were reminiscent of supremacist rallies.
Their leaders chose to address their hatred towards opposing voices because we have become their biggest threat, in both political and monetary terms. Roars to preserve certain privileges (which are only granted to the 1 percent and leftovers to those closest to them) and barely addressing real pressing issues proves that Umno has very little interest in preserving peace and ensuring the well-being of Malaysians, irrespective of race, religion and gender.
Their fallacies that Malay rights will be abolished and that this country will run by infidels are outrageous claims aimed to stir unrest and cultural mutiny. Regrettably, this sort of narrative has legitimise the politics of fear which can maim, distract and divide us; hence, the ruling regime discourages citizens from thinking critically, engaging in discourse and bans us from believing that people power is useless and can never be a potent tool in any functioning democracy.
We’re living in a time where the story of Malaysia is shifting right before our very eyes; the socio-political landscape more volatile in its present state than ever before. With the general election looming closer and the extravagant promises bellowed out by the ruling regime, Malaysians are confronted with a one significant question - can Umno really save Malaysia?
So far, they have not yet provided any clear strategies on how to repair our failing economy or even address the decline of our education system. No plans, no incentives and no reason, other than increasing the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) pay-out and their usual rabble-rousing, scare-mongering tactics whom they have now ‘conveniently’ outsourced to the ‘red-shirts’.
For decades, we have been conditioned to find scapegoats and blame them for whatever tragedies that have befallen us. The recent Umno general assembly did exactly that and nothing else other than demonising the opposition movements, from political organisations to civil societies, questioning the legality of non-Malays in this multi-ethnic federation and demanding blind obedience from its members.
The very fact that their leaders chose to detach themselves from addressing the economy, education, healthcare and even youth unemployment, provides the solid evidence one needs to see just how far removed they have become. Winning every single general election and having almost absolute power since 1957 have stained their legacy, or at least, crippled their ability to empathise with average Malaysians
The Umno general assembly 2016 went as expected - filled with bigotry, hate-filled rhetoric and slanderous propaganda. Independent observers who attended admitted that the event was shrouded in the type of hostility and abhorrence that would make any sound minded human being cringe with nauseating repulsion.
For most of us, we know why Umno feels the need to stoop down this low; the politicians behind Umno periodically endorse hate because this feeds them and it is the only thing that keeps them alive. For most of us, we found their antics insipid and question the rage behind their fiery speeches that were reminiscent of supremacist rallies.
Their leaders chose to address their hatred towards opposing voices because we have become their biggest threat, in both political and monetary terms. Roars to preserve certain privileges (which are only granted to the 1 percent and leftovers to those closest to them) and barely addressing real pressing issues proves that Umno has very little interest in preserving peace and ensuring the well-being of Malaysians, irrespective of race, religion and gender.
Their fallacies that Malay rights will be abolished and that this country will run by infidels are outrageous claims aimed to stir unrest and cultural mutiny. Regrettably, this sort of narrative has legitimise the politics of fear which can maim, distract and divide us; hence, the ruling regime discourages citizens from thinking critically, engaging in discourse and bans us from believing that people power is useless and can never be a potent tool in any functioning democracy.
We’re living in a time where the story of Malaysia is shifting right before our very eyes; the socio-political landscape more volatile in its present state than ever before. With the general election looming closer and the extravagant promises bellowed out by the ruling regime, Malaysians are confronted with a one significant question - can Umno really save Malaysia?
So far, they have not yet provided any clear strategies on how to repair our failing economy or even address the decline of our education system. No plans, no incentives and no reason, other than increasing the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M) pay-out and their usual rabble-rousing, scare-mongering tactics whom they have now ‘conveniently’ outsourced to the ‘red-shirts’.
Challenging the system
To fend off political malevolence, we must muster the courage to think, speak and challenge the system that we know to be unjust. Author Mark Vernon once wrote “... the politics of fear plays on an assumption that people cannot bear the uncertainties associated with risk. Politics then becomes a question of who can better deliver an illusion of control.”
The 14th general election will be more than just casting ballot papers and exercising our constitutional obligations - it will be a battle between good and evil, a confrontation between the haves and the have-nots but above all, it will be a mêlée between the kleptocrats who have every intention to bleed this nation dry versus average Malaysians who struggle to make ends meet.
Do we, as Malaysians want to create a legacy that is packed with fear or one that is overflowing with hope? The crippling fear we have been so conditioned to accept is one that we ought to tame. If we are serious about improving the dire situations that have been unraveling before our eyes, we must act.
The struggle to reinstate democracy has never been won by sitting idly by and watching how things pan out - it is won through actions, determination to see improvements unfold and fortitude to see democracy restored.
SYERLEENA ABDUL RASHID is DAP Wanita national assistant publicity secretary, Penang DAP assistant publicity secretary, Penang DAP Wanita political education director and Penang Island City Council (MBPP) councillor.
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