The Power Of One

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Muhyiddin Yassin has blown it! He had one chance to prove to the world that Malaysia could reform and reverse its image as a kleptocratic nation, where corruption and extremism were an accepted way of life; but he failed
Remember the expression, one bad apple spoils the bushel? That describes Muhyiddin's Malaysia
Many Malays had high hopes, that a Malay majority government, led by the one true-blue Malay, Muhyiddin, would show that the Malays were indeed 'superior'
They imagined that he would show the best traits of good governance, such as transparency, fairness and accountability; but sadly, the opposite is true. The events of the past 100 days of Muhyiddin's administration have destroyed the reputation of the Malays and torn Malaysia apart
Muhyiddin may be ill, but he must still uphold the interests of the nation, not his personal agenda. Haste means waste. His political appointments have reversed the reforms started by the former Pakatan Harapan administration
In one fell swoop, Muhyiddin removed the stability and continuity, which are crucial for efficiency and productivity. He has only one interest: himself. He wants only one thing: absolute loyalty. He has only one desire: absolute power
Once, the Malays were seen as a most tolerant, mild-mannered and easy-going race, but now the opposite is true. Poor leadership has created many intolerant and arrogant Malays
The complexities generated by the shared history of the Orang Asli, Indians, Chinese and Malays in the early Malaya, have, after independence and the formation of a multicultural Malaysian identity, been reduced to a simple moral imperative
We are now, Malay versus non-Malay, Islam versus others, semenanjung (peninsula) versus East Malaysians, conservative versus liberal, rich versus poor and male versus female
Some Malays champion their own culture and religion, but look down on other races and faiths, with the conservatives often claiming that their culture and religion have been insulted, by inconsequential events or imagined slights
Malaysians cannot have an open and constructive discussion about the issues which retard our progress. The authorities say these topics are "sensitive"
Creativity in arts and culture has been replaced by pre-determined conservative values
The British left us a legacy of an education of which we could be proud. We were once curious to discover the world outside of Malaysia, but today, we only look inwards and have become very materialistic
Common sense and rational thought have been replaced by emotion and the rights of the majority race
A criticism of child marriages is seen as denying the rights of the Muslim male for underage marriages. The health and rights of the child are often ignored
The concept of "Malay rights" is used to devastating effect, to divide the nation, and the flames of hatred are used to stoke division among the races. The country is held to ransom by the narrow narrative of upholding Malay interests
Elite Malays are acquitted of their crimes, whereas the ordinary Malay is swiftly investigated and severely punished
Muhyiddin understands the damaging effects of the power of one. Many prominent Malays are awaiting trial for money laundering, corruption, criminal breach of trust (CBT) and abuse of power
If even one high-profile case was to result in a conviction, the ripple effect will be devastating. The rakyat will feel empowered and their morale boosted because the government has delivered on its promise to combat corruption
The corrupt and guilty will realise that being charged and imprisoned is a fate worse than death. They will lose their freedom, and their families will suffer too
The corrupt person's family will be shamed and stigmatised. Their ill-gotten gains will be seized. Their houses, cars, and possessions confiscated and auctioned off. Bank accounts will be frozen and applications will be made to recover their overseas assets and stolen money. The once high and mighty politician is nothing more than a common thief. The history books will be rewritten
Those who are implicated, like the civil servants who once carried suitcases of money to be "laundered" overseas, for certain menteris besar, could also face prosecution
Muhyiddin knows that convicting even one corrupt politician will spell the end of Umno-Baru, and racial politics
That is why he cannot allow it to happen. That is why Riza Aziz (above), disgraced former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak's stepson, was awarded a 'Discharge not amounting to an acquittal' (DNAA) and former Sabah chief minister Musa Aman was acquitted
Muhyiddin is aware that the power of one conviction will release the floodgates, and other corrupt Umno-Baru/BN/PAS leaders will also fall
The power of one conviction will open other cans of worms. People will be willing to talk, and if given immunity, may become witnesses for the prosecution
Muhyiddin understands that the power of one conviction will be devastating
Malaysians, especially the Malays, will be freed from their mental bondage of the five Rs - race, religion, royalty, rural divide and rasuah (corruption). It may also cause the downfall of the despised Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim)
The power of one conviction will also heal. Where we were once divided, we will start to rebuild community relations
Where there was once suspicion, we can start to have faith in others
Where we once mistrusted the institutions, we will, at last, be able to start to believe that the system does protect law-abiding citizens
What a pity that Muhyiddin failed to show Malaysians that he was the one Malay who could have made a difference. He had the power, but failed to stamp his mark on history
MARIAM MOKHTAR is a defender of the truth, the admiral-general of the Green Bean Army and president of the Perak Liberation Organisation (PLO). Blog, Twitter. - Mkini

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