The new dawn: Reflections on GE14

COMMENT | Today is a historic and significant day for Malaysia. Not because suddenly our nation will become perfect. Not because suddenly all of our problems, economic, educational, social, safety, will magically disappear. Change will take time. It is historic because we have taken a significant step towards becoming a mature democracy. In a mature democracy the people have viable options. The people don’t feel that they are stuck with the government they have.

And because the people can see that change is possible, politicians (on either side) will never again be able to take the people for granted. Malaysian politics will never be the same again.

For a two party system to be sustainable, people need to see that a change in government does not bring chaos and anarchy. That is why the smooth and peaceful transition of government these few days is so important. And Harapan supporters, amidst their understandable joy, need to show restraint and magnanimity in their celebrations. It is not time to rub the other sides noses in it, rather it is time to reach across the divide to bring people together.

If you are a Harapan supporter, you will have friends, colleagues and family members who supported BN and who have woken up this morning feeling pretty crummy and depressed (it’s a feeling many of us are well familiar with!). It is important that these people do not feel judged, isolated or marginalised. We need to help them feel that they have a place in our “new country” and that there is a role for them to play alongside us as we move forward together, regardless of political affiliations....