LETTER | Another Merdeka and Malaysia Day has come and gone. Our leaders and politicians have never failed to make poignant speeches on these occasions.

They would exhort the virtues of unity and mutual respect among citizens. They would encourage tolerance despite our diversity. They would sell us the ideas of equality and shared prosperity. They would tell us how they are going to bring help to the marginalised and the less developed regions of the country.

But don’t be mistaken. Malaysia is not what or how the people are being mesmerised with these beautiful speeches. Malaysia is how Malaysians experience their daily life. Merdeka and Malaysia Day can’t change us; our daily experiences will.

While politicians make beautiful speeches when occasions suit them, they are also the ones who routinely instil bigotry, division and racism among the people. In fact, many Malaysians are being indoctrinated from young that they are "different" from others – more superior, pious, purer and have more privileges and rights than others.

In our daily living, have we not experienced unfairness, discrimination and prejudices at almost every level and facet of our life? Have we not observed our leaders are indulging in cakap tak serupa bikin hypocrisy almost constantly? Mind you, many of these differences are not just confined to inter-racial groups but also very much within each racial group or community.

Many of these unfair policies and practices are so entrenched and sacrosanct that even a hundred Merdeka or Malaysia Day speeches will not make a difference. Leaders love to lecture and remind the people. But I think it is about time for the people to remind our leaders.

Leaders can’t go on saying one thing but doing another. For this, I am referring not just to leaders and politicians in the opposition.

The recent “amalgamation” of PAS and Umno has probably gathered some negative reactions. But playing racial and religious games is common among all politicians, including those in the Pakatan Harapan. Previously they have said all the right things to gain power. Now, after attaining power, they are doing many wrong things.

It is not farfetched to say that Harapan has reverted to the “old style” of governing Malaysia. It uses race and religion, it panders to vested interests, it indulges in populist tendencies, it brings no new ideas and impetus to spur the Malaysian economy. Everything is centred around our national debt which is burdensome and our national coffers which were robbed dry by the previous administration.

So when are we going to see some “corruption-free” and “good governance” dividends? When we claim we have better management of our resources we ought to be able to do more for the people. I remember that the Penang airport’s capacity was breaking at the seams way before the 14th general election. But have they got anything done yet? 

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.