COMMENT | The hour has finally come – tomorrow, millions of Malaysians will shuffle to the polling booths to cast their precious votes in what has been billed as the “mother of all elections”.

The 14th general election is like no other: this time around, there is a very real possibility that Umno – the grand old party – will be toppled in a major victory for the opposition alliance.

It is at this crucial time that the fate of the country will be decided by the simple citizens who have the power, for just one day, to reshape the political landscape.

Once in every five years comes this opportunity to clean the house thoroughly so that life in the next five years can be so much better – thus ending a “period of ill fortune.”

By stepping out “from the old to the new,” Malaysians can expect to see tremendous changes sweeping across the peninsula and across the sea to Sabah and Sarawak. It will be a refreshing breeze that will cleanse the country and make it stronger to face challenging times ahead.

Malaysia is making a new “tryst with destiny” after long years of troubles under a government that has lost its sense of purpose and direction. There is hope that the wobbly ship of state can be steadied and brought back safely to harbour.

Who will ensure that the ship can sail out again on a new journey of hope? It will be the youths of the country who form a significant portion of the voters. On their shoulders lie the task to drive out the incompetent captain.

All these young men and women are well aware of the many illnesses that have sapped the “soul of the nation”, to the point that the country is in danger of falling apart. Their bright minds can see that the caretaker government is unscrupulous. They have the power to lead the revolt against Putrajaya through the ballot box.

The cry of disgust

For the old folk, the time has come to stand up and proclaim loudly and clearly: “The scales have fallen from our eyes and we see you for what you are – religious bigots, charlatans, thieves. Go away! Datuk Seri, you cannot fool old people all the time.”

The cry of disgust can also be heard from paupers eking out a miserable life in concrete hovels in the cities and towns: “Feed your titbits to the chicken! Mr BR1M man you cannot buy our votes!”

From all corners the realisation has dawned that for the nation to progress, a new social contract must be drawn up, which unequivocally upholds justice and fairness for all, irrespective of race, creed, colour.

People and leaders must walk the same path and be guided by national interests and not by parochial, race-based thinking. More importantly, the nation must move forward with the times, and not be dragged back to a dark age where ancient laws are the order of the day.

Despite the grievous wounds inflicted on the country in the last nine years, the electorate must not fear to right the wrongs because to remain apathetic about the way the country is governed would only invite more troubles.

The day they tear down the barriers of fear and beat their chests is the day they can celebrate the return to the rule of law, the practice of parliamentary democracy and the commitment to accountability and transparency.

All, young and old, can rejoice that at long last tolerance, goodwill, good sense and prudence have prevailed over the malpractices of the past.

But they must give change a chance.

Sixty years ago, we lowered the Union Jack to proclaim our independence from colonial rule. Yet 60 years later, the people would again witness another historic, defining moment: another flag would be lowered to mark the end of kleptocracy, kakistocracy, demagoguery and autocracy.

Tomorrow, in the heat of the night, it would be an exhilarating and thrilling sight to see the flag of Umno – the symbol of shame and ignominy – taken down and dumped in the trash pile of history.

PHLIP RODRIGUES is a veteran journalist.

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