MP SPEAKS | Congratulations to the 26 ministers and 23 deputy ministers of the first Pakatan Harapan cabinet. This is a result of the historic and watershed 14th general election on May 9.

Harapan ministers and deputy ministers must be humble, down-to-earth, approachable, hardworking, clean and honest and be role models of service to the people and the nation.

This is because we want the Harapan government, whether at national or state levels, to succeed not just for 50 days, which we have just passed, or 500 days, but for over 5,000 days in the great, noble and challenging task of building a new Malaysia to fulfill the hopes of those who, regardless of race, religion, region or even political affiliation, united on May 9 to save the country from becoming a failed, rogue, kleptocratic state.

We want all Malaysians to reimagine and remake a new Malaysia which is capable of raising the bar of human excellence and be a world-class nation in various fields. We will do this by leveraging on our unique assets that come from the diversity of races, religions, languages and cultures.

We want to create a new Malaysia that can fulfill Bapa Malaysia Tunku Abdul Rahman’s dream of a country that is “a beacon of light in a distracted and disturbed world”. A pluralised nation which is united, harmonious, just, democratic, competitive, progressive and prosperous.

Harapan promised to rid political favouritism and victimisation if it came to power.

Malaysians have witnessed how the BN regime abused its power to the extent that innocent people – many of whom are today in government – were victimised. Many others became collateral damage just because they happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time.

While the Harapan government must investigate, remove and book those who were directly responsible and complicit in the financial scandals at 1MDB, Felda and Tabung Haji, and other crimes against the nation – as promised in the manifesto – we must also be careful not to be seen as embarking on the path of revenge against all, many of whom may have been at the periphery of what happened at these institutions.

It has been said that before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves – one for the victim, and one for yourselves. This is a warning not to embark on a path of revenge. While you kill the other, you will end up also killing yourself.

Harapan cannot be seen or perceived to be embarking on any journey of vengeance or vindictiveness.

Harapan must never give anyone any basis to think that it is finding every excuse to get rid of the current leaders of government agencies and GLCs to replace them with people aligned to the coalition.

Harapan has to show that it is different from BN. Lines must be drawn clearly so that the Harapan government is not suspected of embarking on a witch-hunt.

While more details have surfaced of the massive scandals perpetrated by the previous BN government, it must be acknowledged that there are also many people associated with the civil service and the government-linked companies who have shown dedicated service, integrity and honesty. We cannot tar everyone with the same brush.

Our beloved Malaysia has been plundered; race and religious relations exploited; and yet, on May 9, the people of this country revolted against these abuses and excesses and threw the BN government out. The Harapan government cannot allow these pernicious practices of the past to take hold again. Never again.

As a country, we have to move on. Nelson Mandela, the world’s most renowned prisoner of conscience, set up the truth and reconciliation committee. We, too, have to have reconciliation in Malaysia. We have to uncover the truth, not to seek vengeance so that we can better build a bright future for our children and grandchildren, without regard to race, culture, religion or language.

LIM KIT SIANG is MP for Iskandar Puteri.

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