COMMENT | If anyone deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, I opine it is the noble rakyat of Malaysia. No nation has ever won a Nobel Peace Prize to my knowledge. Why not rakyat Malaysia represented by Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Anwar Ibrahim, and Lim Kit Siang? It was their willingness to ‘kiss and make up’ that paved the way for subsequent strategies that made change possible.

The Nobel Peace Prize should recognise the unique nature of GE14, the challenges of political change and its outcome as a boost to world peace. Those in troubled lands, bogged in savage internecine warfare, should take a leaf from Malaysia’s remarkable experience.

For many decades, the citizens of Malaysia suffered the ill-effects of bad governance. No one advocated an insurrection unlike in the troubled lands. It was their patience and non-violent approach that saw to change without a single drop of blood. Despite the risks, the rakyat voted to purge the country of tyranny.

Indeed, the world has yet to fully understand the ‘Malaysian miracle’.

Pakatan Harapan’s victory is an outstanding achievement of peaceful regime change in modern times. The spectre of May 13, 1969, hung like the sword of Damocles over the heads of the people. Many were in fear. But the politicians did what was right and caused no trouble. Najib Razak delayed in conceding defeat but had no choice. Kudos to the rakyat.

Reform of institutions and systems will occur in Malaysia but underlying negative attitudes must change. Love must replace hate and faith replace fear. People need faith in one another. The making of a nation begins with citizens harbouring the idea that every citizen belongs to the country and are willing to help one another. They are, in a sense, each other’s keeper.

All races must believe their welfare is entwined with one another’s in nationhood. Otherwise, there is no nation. Any community left behind becomes a political time bomb. All for one and one for all must be the underlying cry of Malaysians as if they are barracking for their national badminton team at the Olympics. It was an important idea not put into practice by previous governments. 1Malaysia was instead 1BigFraud.

A shared national destiny may ultimately become the motivation for success. Without a government of hypocrisy, of dark hidden agendas and of racist subterfuge, Malaysia will soon be a nation of ‘lovers’, not hate-mongers.

Love casts out fear. The neo-apartheid divisive BN policies and practices had failed. They must lie buried in the graveyard of all other flawed and failed policies. It behoves the shell-shocked and reeling Umno politicians never to play the race and religion cards again. It is a losing hand.

Mahathir says there is still racist sentiment among the grassroots and it will take time and effort to eradicate the years of toxic indoctrination. He is now in a strong position to expedite change and the rakyat must also be proactive.

Rid the nation of the dark politics of ‘they’ and ‘us’ and the suspicion and distrust they engender. Treat one another. including foreign workers and refugees, with respect. The dignity of the individual matters in a just and civilised society. It must be part of national conscience. Then Malaysia can rise above the rice bowl and economic preoccupations, important as they are, and become an enviable modern and moral civilisation.

The chain of change

Though Mahathir might be the catalyst for change, even the juggernaut of change, relatively late in the reform process, he is definitely not the only cause. Anwar was the epicentre of political change after his sacking in 1998 during the heyday of ‘Reformasi’. He marshalled Malaysians for change and created PKR, now the biggest party in the new government.

Before Mahathir becomes the reformer, DAP diehards, including the late ebullient Karpal Singh and indefatigable Lim Kit Siang, created rumblings for change. Their tenacious collective efforts, including the uncredited contributions of unsung heroes, made regime change achievable. They and others were crucial links in the chain of change.

Change is a historic event and a gradual process. It is a race against time where Mahathir is concerned. Change, however, will be ongoing beyond Mahathir, whose leadership at this juncture is invaluable. In time, Anwar, and after him, more good and conscionable leaders must take their places. They are Harapan’s advantage over a BN opposition bereft of inspiring leaders

Our prayers are for Mahathir to live long and still bear fruit in his old age. Old men will dream dreams and make them reality for the common good and not selfish evil. May Mahathir rise on the wings of an eagle and cause the nation to soar with him to new heights. Such a prayer for him are on the lips and in the thoughts of Malaysians.

In truth, Malaysia deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for leading the world in changing from a dictatorship to democracy without violence. It was a mission many thought impossible. On election day, Najib was ready to party, the marquees were ready on the lawns of his lair, the foreign media had written off Harapan. But the voters spoilt his party.

Never again must the country see a repeat of its dark past. Malaysia is now a beacon for democracy and will continue to shine if the government and rakyat work together to prosper the nation. It is not the time for opportunistic politicking but putting sound plans to work. It is the time to clean out the skeletons in Putrajaya and nab the corrupt.

Malaysiakini columnist Dennis Ignatius argues poignantly in his article, ‘The war on corruption’ against the nation’s plague. No one who is corrupt must escape the dragnet. It would be unfair to single out Najib for scrutiny while ignoring other big fish. This includes Abdul Taib Mahmud, governor of Sarawak - his wealth sticks out like a sore thumb among the indigenous poor of Sarawak.

Some years ago, Global Vision in a secret video ‘Inside Malaysia’s shadow state’ provided some interesting interviews with his inner circle relatives. Sarawak Report has further provided hard evidence that cannot be ignored. It seems everything ‘King Midas’ Taib touched turned to gold. It is time for MACC to uncover the secret of his golden touch.

Harold S Truman once said, “You can’t get rich in politics unless you are a crook.”

Now is the time for accounting, it is the crook-hunting season.

STEVE OH is the author of the novel ‘Tiger King of the Golden Jungle’ and composer of the musical of the same title. He believes in good governance and morally upright leaders.

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