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Malaysia’s march to general elections heading for a crisis mode

Sooner (if the rumours are proven), the country’s next general election is bound to take place. Otherwise it’s a good year plus more to go. But at the rate our politicians are spewing hate speeches and stunts, and included is the unending litany of police reports and counter-legal suits, citizens must now demand for sound leadership before we hit election fever.

From the breaking news every other day, we witness race and religion hate agendas taking the lead. This is going to cost the entire nation dearly if sound and prudent leadership does not put the brakes now.

Both the opposition and ruling parties are guilty of using every incident to pitch the race and religion split to higher notches every passing day. From YouTube postings going viral to Facebook uploads and street shows of muscled men and women in coloured shirts showing no respect for lawful behaviour - all of these are happening at greater frequencies.

Even the very institutions that are are guaranteed to ensure a peaceful, progressive, accountable and prosperous society are beginning to be seen as compromised agents of war against political parties.

Citizens need to be assured that sound leadership is in place. Talk alone is dangerous. Walking the talk is critically needed if we are to march to peaceful and defining general elections.

Reason dictates that the political party that is currently in power must be held responsible if race and religion hatred bursts the interracial and multi-religious fragile ‘sitz-im-leben’ (setting in life) in the country. But at the rate we see dangerous statements being wagered through the media by those in power, we cannot fault the citizens for perceiving and blaming the country’s current leadership.

It is high time that the nation’s leaders of religions and institutions demanded uni-vocally that there are no two ways about going into election mode. The present government is solely and absolutely responsible in ensuring that the country hits a high note of harmony race and religious harmony before calling elections.

Politicians need to be benchmarked and measured not for fighting or championing race and religion rights. But they must convince the rakyat with how they have and therefore will be able to in the future, too, to advance a peaceful, progressive and prosperous society.

Non-governmental organisations have a relevant role to play here in a responsible manner. They must galvanise their strengths and unite to ensure that race and religion divisiveness is drained off from the arteries of power-brokers, i.e. useless, dangerous politicians.

A crisis is in the making if our country’s leadership continues to promote the perception that it is incapable of ensuring peace in the country amongt the multi-racial voters. And should we march into a general election with sentiments frayed, respect robbed, and a whole lot of diabolic intentions to win the elections at any cost, Malaysia will sink deep and far below the Asean fraternity.

And it is going to take us a long, long haul to be healed. The May 13 episode of 1969 is a good benchmark to qualify the reality of a race and religion breakdown in the country.

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