The two weeks of Malaysia since the 13GE on May 5 is best described by Charles Dickens in the opening paragraph of his historic fiction of the French Revolution, A Tale of Two Cities (a book written 154 years ago and which has sold over 200 million copies):
“IT WAS the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way…”
It was “the best of times” for Malaysia, when Malaysians, transcending race, religion, region, class, gender and age, were united in the hope of change of government and policies; but it was “the worst of times” when such hopes were crushed by the dirtiest general election in the nation’s 56 year history.
It was “the spring of hope” when Malaysians, regardless of race, religion, region, class, gender and age dare to dream the Malaysian Dream where there is an end to the politics of race, corruption, cronyism, abuses of power and all forms of injustices; but it was “the winter of despair” with one post-13GE drivel after another from those re-established in power about “Chinese tsunami”, “Chinese taken for a ride”, “Apa Lagi Cina Mahu” and the latest challenge to patriotic Malaysians to “Migrate elsewhere” if they are not satisfied with the country’s electoral system, demonstrating that the evil tentacles of the old politics of race, lies and fear are still very much alive and powerful.
The “Light” in the epoch of “Darkness”, when there is so much disappointment, outrage and anger in the country at the 13GE results that Datuk Seri Najib Razak could be sworn in as Prime Minister with 47% of popular vote while Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim is denied the highest office in the land with 51% of the popular vote, is the accelerated political awakening of Malaysians, particularly the young generation of Malaysians regardless of race, religion, region and class, coming out in their tens and hundreds of thousands to demonstrate their commitment to bring about peaceful and democratic change in the country.
I feel hopeful and confident about the future for Malaysia when I see the sea of young, fresh, eager faces all over the country courageously taking a stand for peaceful and democratic change to save Malaysia from the old politics of race, corruption, cronyism, abuses of power and all forms of injustices and sending out the clear and unmistakable signal that Malaysians, particularly the young generation of Malaysians, would not allow the disappointments and setbacks of the 13th General elections to dim or undermine their commitment to see change in Malaysia.
In fact, the reverse is the case, as they are more resolved and committed to ensure that their future is not stolen away from them in the way that the 13th General Elections victory was stolen from them on May 5.
With Malaysia presently in “best of times, worst of times” – I call on Malaysians to keep faith and hope in moment of despair and to press on until victory is achieved for change of government and policies.
The time has come to fly high the standards of the Malaysian Dream, uniting Malaysians regardless of race, religion, region, class, gender or age, in a common national vision and destiny to build a great, democratic, free, safe, green competitive and prosperous nation for all Malaysian citizens.
At the Gelang Patah 13GE victory thanksgiving dinner on Sunday, 26th May 2013, we will launch the Malaysian Dream Movement, to be the vehicle for the realization of the Malaysian Dream.
I urge all like-minded Malaysians to support and join the Malaysian Dream Movement.
The Malaysian Dream Movement which will be launched in Gelang Patah next Sunday will be expanded all over the country and I look forward to the support of all Malaysians when it expands from Gelang Patah to all states in the country, particularly in Penang.
(Speech at the Pakatan Rakyat 13GE thanksgiving ceramah at Penang Esplanade on Saturday, 18th May 2013 at 10.30 pm)