By J. D. Lovrenciear
The foregone
conclusion on the lips of all thinking and feeling rakyat is that GE-13 is
going to be the most fiercely fought battle in the Parliamentary history of
Malaysian politics since the times of its independence. But what is
even more disturbing – unprecedented if you may, is the fact that the
post-GE-13 outcome or eventuality is also beginning to grip the citizens with deep
seated concerns and fears.
Already, some high-ranking Concerned Citizens’ Group has penned the very
fears in an Open Letter recently. And all of their expressed concerns are not
farfetched going by overdose of threats, warnings, the bitter exchanges and gutter
politicking we have to put up with so far. Do we
commoners want the country to plunge into darkness simply because of the outcome
of the GE-13?
It is certainly not, for
all right thinking and patriotic citizens. But the politicians do not seem to
think along similar wavelengths, do they? It is clear
as daylight that BN is not prepared to accept the realities of the day that its
popularity is sinking; that the kind of support that it enjoyed in the past
decades is not anymore the same today coupled with the highest number of breakaway top contenders standing as independents.
Meanwhile,
the opposition pact is cognizant of its growing support – seen by the migration
of BN’s Who’s Who in recent weeks, as well as the ever
growing numbers cheering them onwards at the ceremahs with the rakyat’s
willingness to dip into their pockets and help cover some of the costs of election
campaigns. In
the meantime, fire bombs and explosives as well as buring of vehicles
and fist-fights are emerging, fueling ever more suspicions.
Much
as no patriotic
citizens will wish for, there is that gnawing and widely traded talk of a
fear of that probability, i.e. that BN political
warnings and threats of chaos and even a repeat of the bloody May 13,
may be forced to become a reality in an eventuality that BN loses the
elections.That in
itself explains the very fragile circumstances under which this general
election is being held. So what else can we do as caring concerned citizens of
this country when politicians are sharpening their weapons?
It is time
for a national congregation of all faiths to pray for peace, common sense and
harmony. Perhaps we should do it in the open and all across the nation at an appointed time well before we go to the polls. Let the leaders of the respective religions lead
their congregation in turns at these public assemblies in prayer. Let
no
politician hijack this moment of submission of the nation’s pleas
heaven-wards; and ceratinly let no authority clamp down this event with
falsehood fears of security risks.
When the
future of a nation is being marred by the sheer quest for continuing power;
when shameless determination is the war-game to siege and control at all costs
over the citizens’ dead bodies and crushed bones; when God and religion are
made into political pawns; when race and suspicion are brewed together – it calls
for a nationwide congregation of all faiths in the open and together, as they
convene to pray in their own tongues for blessings and protection from heaven
above.Will
the
leaders of all the various faiths agree to lead this nation of people in
prayer
when all our politicians and their parties are fighting a do-or-die
battle? Or will they conveniently shy away with claims that they are
already praying in their own places of worship?
Let
us send
a strong message to the powers that be: That Malaysians are no chicken
ready for the slaughter and neither
are they dead horses to be flogged. Let us in unision convey that
uncompromised message that Malaysians are living in harmony and respect
for
each other’s race and religion contrary to what the political masters
are
peddling ceaselessly. Let us decisively tell the politicians that come
what the outcome of GE-13 be, we Malaysians are not traitors to this land and king – as what the politicians
would want others to believe. Let
us show
the world that when the going gets tough, the tough get going and that
is Malaysians. Are we game? Or will we see our congretaion leaders
back-peddling by harping a tune of "politics and religion do not mix".
This
is not the seasn to be wayside observers. This is not the moment for a
wait-and-see-first disposition. We need to pray as one nation of people
in the wake of this threat to our democracy.
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