We have a new government.
Initially there was a sense of
optimism, of excitement with the heralding of a new era. However slowly
it seemed like doubt had started to creep in; the congratulatory mood
was slowly replaced by doubts foreshadowing the election of certain
individuals to prominent posts who were not Malay and Muslim, and a
lingering fear that change would happen that would no longer protect
rights of a people who have long enjoyed complacency to the point of
entitlement.
When Lim Guan Eng was elected as finance minister, people were more
focused on his race than more pertinent issues of perhaps, his
corruption case or his track record of managing Penang.
When Tommy Thomas was elected as Attorney General, people brought up the issue of advisory and change to syariah law without understanding that he would be passing that baton to other experts in syariah as well as the role in Parliament as the safeguard to these laws.
When Tun talked about streamlining JAKIM and other religious institutions into one central body - the Islamic Affairs Department, people emphasized on how the rights of Muslims were being whittled away rather than looking at the attempt to strengthen and simplify the administrative processes that would make the body more effective.
A lot of people said "Now it's starting - a more liberal government." Well liberal means willing to respect or accept behaviours or opinions different as one's own - in the narrowest view, at least to respect and be able to have open discourse of these different ideas. It doesn't mean one has to agree to those ideas, but the ability to understand and accept our differences is a big step towards national unity.
We have a new government, but we are unwilling to change our mentality to one that is willing to look at the bigger picture and learn about the technicalities behind the processes involved in these decisions. How many of us understand the legal processes or banking processes in detail?
It's a time where freedom of speech is lauded, for both sides - but it doesn't mean that we throw away our critical thinking with it. It's a time to learn, to analyze and to form constructive opinions.
It will be scary for some, because we have been so entrenched in a culture that is protective of our rights - even when those rights are abused by those in power.
I am optimistic about the new government, but it does not mean that I don't reserve judgement on some decisions that have been made. Miracles don't happen in a hundred days, and changing a mindset of privilege is even more difficult.
In the meantime, I'm enjoying the news and the daily developments - the new efforts towards a more transparent government and an attempt to build up trust for the people.
When Tommy Thomas was elected as Attorney General, people brought up the issue of advisory and change to syariah law without understanding that he would be passing that baton to other experts in syariah as well as the role in Parliament as the safeguard to these laws.
When Tun talked about streamlining JAKIM and other religious institutions into one central body - the Islamic Affairs Department, people emphasized on how the rights of Muslims were being whittled away rather than looking at the attempt to strengthen and simplify the administrative processes that would make the body more effective.
A lot of people said "Now it's starting - a more liberal government." Well liberal means willing to respect or accept behaviours or opinions different as one's own - in the narrowest view, at least to respect and be able to have open discourse of these different ideas. It doesn't mean one has to agree to those ideas, but the ability to understand and accept our differences is a big step towards national unity.
We have a new government, but we are unwilling to change our mentality to one that is willing to look at the bigger picture and learn about the technicalities behind the processes involved in these decisions. How many of us understand the legal processes or banking processes in detail?
It's a time where freedom of speech is lauded, for both sides - but it doesn't mean that we throw away our critical thinking with it. It's a time to learn, to analyze and to form constructive opinions.
It will be scary for some, because we have been so entrenched in a culture that is protective of our rights - even when those rights are abused by those in power.
I am optimistic about the new government, but it does not mean that I don't reserve judgement on some decisions that have been made. Miracles don't happen in a hundred days, and changing a mindset of privilege is even more difficult.
In the meantime, I'm enjoying the news and the daily developments - the new efforts towards a more transparent government and an attempt to build up trust for the people.
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