LETTER | There was a time when the country was relatively peaceful and its people stood united in Malaysia as they built on our rich and promising religious and racial diversity.

Those of us who had witnessed first-hand the pre-independence period are today in our late 70S, 80s and even 90s.

This generation of citizens indeed savoured that unique sense of peace and harmony prevailing in the 1950s and well into the early 1960s.

The nation was then devoid of the vulgarities of politics, profanities of racism and religious bigotry. Widespread corruption and abuse of power and positions with impunity as we witness today, were unheard too then.

The harsh truth is this promising future upon which we gained our independence and built the foundations of nationhood in the 1950s through till early 1960s with resolute unity has changed for the worse.

We are now witnessing the emergence of a whole, new, regressive culture where obsessive materialism, the crave for personal wealth and glorification, the abuse of power, status and positions, corruption and arrogance and an obvious disregard for the rule of law are becoming the norm.

Painfully, the pre and post-independence citizens witness how politicians and civil servants from various ministries and departments entrusted with the safeguarding of the nation's security and safety have also succumbed to surrendering patriotism to this growing regressive culture.

Patriotism instead has come to mean the freedom to fulfil the desires that one aspires to achieve at all costs without any regard for others.

And driving this decadent culture are politicians exploiting race and religious issues to cement their position within the party hierarchy and to solicit votes during a general election, where cash handouts have become the sought-after “sterling standard”.

Trappings of power, positions

Party positions come with the trappings of lucrative benefits and an honorific title to add muscle to the abuses.

Individuals bestowed in good faith with honorific titles like “Datuk”, “Tan Sri” or even “Tun” have their hands tainted with criminal cases and misconduct - indeed a cause of embarrassment to the country.

Positions within a party are not limited by time. Former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s tenure as Umno president was for more than two decades. The long-term tenure of Mahathir as Umno chief has both positively and negatively impacted us all.

People have argued that by not limiting the tenure of the party president risks abuses.

Umno of today is unlike what it was when it was first established in 1946. It has become more race and religious-centric and the recent statements by some of its leaders smacks of intolerance towards others. This is of deep concern threatening the peace and racial harmony in the country.

Ordinary Malaysians who are not inclined towards politics are cognisant that racial unity is paramount for the peace and security of the country and we, the ex-service and security personnel can vouch for that given our battles in freeing our nation from the communist and the insurgency threats.

In fact, most patriotic Malaysians are distancing themselves from the toxic politics that is increasingly becoming the norm these days.

Even PAS has changed

Take PAS for example. A theocratic political party that was founded in 1951, did not raise the spectre of racial and religious intolerance towards people of other faiths and races during its formative years.

Although Islam teaches its adherents to uphold peace and tolerance towards minorities, regardless of their race and faith, we are seeing the opposite trend peddled by politicians and displayed by party followers.

The leaders of PAS today see themselves as the rightful preachers worthy to be heard, promoting Islam. Others, who are not members of the party and even those of their own race and faith are sometimes looked upon with disdain, discredit and suspicion.

The country today is seriously lacking in quality leaders with the ability to galvanise the population to be patriotic citizens. we certainly does not lack intellectuals and learned individuals who could provide leadership, but they shy away from politics out of disillusionment.

Will our politicians take a look at themselves as patriots first, i.e., the unbridled love for the country and the people they vowed to serve?

It is true patriots who can shape and decide the destiny of the country.

Either we checkmate errant politicians immediately and revive the spirit of patriotism or end up pawning the nation's future in the palms of evil politicians.

The writer is the adviser and former president of Patriot National Association, Malaysia.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.