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Harapan must make history again with reforms – or become history

MP SPEAKS | I congratulate DAP ministers, chief minister and state excos for they were all history makers in the political earthquake of May 9 to achieve a 'Malaysian dream' which generations of Malaysians had not thought possible to see in their lifetime.

Now the hard work has started, for the Pakatan Harapan leaders who made history must ensure that it is made again in the next five year to rebuild a New Malaysia with systemic and institution reforms, accompanied by mindset changes. Otherwise, they will become history.

We must never lose sight that Harapan at the federal and state level, where we are also state governments, must always be a government for all Malaysians, regardless of whether they voted for Harapan or otherwise – that we must truly serve all Malaysians, regardless of race, religion, region or politics.

We want to build a new Malaysia which is united, democratic, just and progressive.

For a thriving democracy, we must operate in a new political environment and culture where checks and balances are institutionalised in our system of governance.

We just accept as our responsibility the challenge to promote democratic processes, not only ensuring that there are check-and-balance mechanisms within governing parties, but also by the opposition, the media and the civil society.

We will not harass and persecute the opposition as we had suffered in the past 52 years, for this will be against our beliefs in a democratic society.

Whether Umno and the other BN parties which suffered their first national defeat in the 14th general election can reform themselves to become effective opposition parties is still to be seen, but Harapan national and state governments must recognise the role and contribution of opposition parties and dissent in the country.

In five years’ time, Harapan will have to seek a new mandate from the voters – a reminder that time is short for Harapan national and state governments to prove themselves that we deserve a new mandate in five years’ time and not just to be a one-term national or state government.


LIM KIT SIANG is the MP for Iskandar Puteri.

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

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