Two years since the opposition won five states in the 12th general election on March 8 , 2008, the euphoria has all but died down, no thanks to rampant politicking on both sides of the spectrum.

Speaking alongside social activist Haris Ibrahim to a full house at the Assumption Church in Petaling Jaya last night, author Kee Thuan Chye made no bones about the sorry state of Malaysian politics.

 

march8 the day malaysia woke up book1 But the author of bestselling book March 8: The Day Malaysia Woke Up said that Malaysians must regain the optimism to “make irreversible the trend to take Malaysia out of the dark ages”.

“After March 8, I hoped the government would undo the damage that had been inflicted on our country by the man who screwed up our institutions, created a culture of fear, fostered the negotiated contract, invested our money in white elephants – and still doesn’t know when to shut up,” said Kee, without naming the person.

He accused Barisan Nasional coalition leader Najib Abdul Razak of confusing Malaysians by simultaneously expounding national unity through the 1Malaysia concept and yet tacitly supporting Malay rights group Perkasa.

Malaysians now braver

Rather cheekily, Kee said the image of its MCA president Ong Tee Keat confined to a wheelchair - while recovering from knee surgery - while accompanying Najib on his Chinese New Year rounds, epitomised the current state of MCA.

Most disappointing, Kee noted, was the fact that Pakatan Rakyat too has failed to live up to their promises made during the run up to March 8, and failing to fufill their pledge to topple BN through defections in the Sep 16 fiasco.

NONE “(Pakatan leader) Anwar (Ibrahim)’s attempt to take over government on Sep 16…merely exposed his true ambition—to be prime minister, above all else... (Does Pakatan) have their act together or not? Can they be trusted?” he asked.

Having painted a gloomy picture, Kee however, changed tack by reminding them that March 8 has led to a fundamental change in Malaysian mindsets.

“Malaysians are becoming more courageous…we are struggling to shake off the culture of fear and I think we are succeeding. There is a new spirit of defiance now,” he said.

Kee noted that Malaysians are no longer afraid of racial and religious clashes, and are wise enough not to be provoked by groups marching with animal heads or desecrations of places of worship.

The most precious gift that March 8 has given the nation, Kee said, was the gift of choice.

Choose without fear

“Choice is what we have now. We should exercise that choice – for the betterment of our country. And exercise it without fear,” he said to roaring applause.

NONE He was followed by Haris who reminded the audience, who were mostly comprising middle-class professionals not to turn a blind eye to marginalised groups.

The audience were so taken by the two speakers that some asked if they would represent them by standing in the next elections, and to change the system from the inside.

“I’d rather be on the outside and do what little I can because politics will compromise my principles," replied Kee.

Haris, however, reluctantly appeased the audience by saying that he will stand for elections, but only if he cannot find another credible candidate to do so.

The forum ended after two hours, leaving many disappointed with the short Q&A sesssion.