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...