YOURSAY | ‘The opposition may not be perfect, but they represent a chance for a two-party system.’

We can build a new Malaysia within a Malaysia

Fair Play: Dear Prof Dr Mohamad Tajuddin Mohamad Rasdi, to your observation, may I add this:

First, a few trickles of water. Then a puddle. Then a small stream which gradually develops into a tributary river. And finally a mighty river emerges with thunderous waters flowing into the ocean.

But have right-thinking Malaysians got what it takes - sacrifice and more sacrifice at great personal cost - to alter the course of history, like the mighty river? Herein lies the crux of the matter.

Roguekiller: It is easy to criticise; offering your ideas as food for thought is a good thing, but implementing and materialising your preferences are two different aspects and judging by your meticulous input, it is doubtful they can be realised.

People of all walks of life would probably share my thoughts that DAP does not show signs of arrogance or bragged about their achievements, especially having ruled Penang for six years.

The Penangites are extremely happy, except for some deliberate haters, with the DAP (Pakatan Harapan) government. Let's be fair to judge and give credit to where it deserves.

Malaccan: A third force would weaken the existing opposition and by default prop up BN and extend its hold on unchecked power. There will be no incentives for BN to reform and repent their wasteful and megalomaniac ways.

A third force will not stop BN from its madcap race to subjugate the people and tear the entire fabric of the nation. It’s better if those politicians and activists whom the writer named join and redeem the opposition parties.

A civil movement requires at a minimum a government that respects civil rights. BN does not and even activist Ambiga Sreenevasan and other luminaries need to work with the existing opposition, however lacking they may be.

Finally, the writer's love for the nation is obvious but he can't help projecting his own helplessness and lambasts the opposition parties with a distaste that worryingly rivals BN.

His suggestion is akin to throwing out the baby with the bath water, all for a civil force that is not yet seen and whose warts are not yet revealed. Will we need a fourth force later?

Anonymous #13114320: You and I know where the problem lies. We have many more uneducated citizens who depends on government handouts. Naturally they believe or choose to believe what the government says.

This not going to change just because you and me think otherwise, as they form the majority. And they use religion to bound these people, believing that they fought for their religion and race.

The way to change this is by people like you to educate these people, these lower income folks.

They won’t know what you write in Malaysiakini as they lack access to news on the Internet. So people like you need to go to these villages to preach. But of course, I do agree with you.

RCZ: What a dreamer. Universities and NGOs do not govern a country. Political parties through their elected representatives do so.

And why pick on DAP which has been consistent and principled on its policies of a ‘Malaysia for All’. These are exactly the type of politicians a country should have.

Why accuse them of being big-headed on the 'sensitive' issue of Islam and Malays? Isn't it time to desensitise these two issues which are destroying the multiracial fabric of this country?

Malaysia is for Malaysians and not for Muslims or Malays or Christians or Buddhists. If Tajuddin can't accept criticism and maintain these issues are sensitive, then he must educate himself. Religion should be left out of politics.

Sleepy: Prof, I support the opposition/coalition not because I think they are great, but because they represent an opportunity for a two-party system in Malaysia.

It will only work with Malays coming on board. I know they have more to lose but if they don't act now, it will be too late and the future for all Malaysians will be bleak.

Jratnam: I don't want to be pessimistic but you are talking about a utopia which is not realistic, taking the current environment into account.

Some learned people have this take on the current situation, which is more in line with my thinking. When an item is damaged, the question is whether it is damaged beyond repair or it can be fixed despite its bad state.

If it’s fixable, how do we fix it? If it’s beyond repair, then we need to throw it away and start anew.

This means we need a people’s revolution and history supports this view in the many cases where there were revolutions when the people were driven to the wall.

Based on where we are now and if we continue on this path for a couple more years, this may very well be the inevitable outcome. Let’s hope we don't come to this situation.

Drngsc: What a simplistic recipe. Malaysia's return to ‘the right path’ will take another one or two generations, and also many more detailed essays, should we manage to get rid of this evil, self-serving Umno government.

We have to change and to change, we need an alternative government. Using NGOs is not a solution. We do need politicians (with all their imperfections, some more than others). They are both not to be relied on 100 percent.

Lord Acton is correct. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. This government reminds me of that every day. After 58 years, Umno has become absolutely corrupted in all ways.

With change and an alternative government, we can then five years later vote for the better fellow. A true democracy needs that.

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