We are a nation with wounded hearts.
Most of us are fairly richer and better off than we were
before, across the board.
Yet today, every single community is feeling as though they
have been short-changed. Each community feels that they have being treated
unfairly – that they are the ones at the losing end. We see almost everything
as a zero-sum game – politics, economics, religion. If the other side gets
more, it can only mean our side is getting less. Such is our psyche.
We are suspicious of each other. We question each other's intentions.
We have a trust deficit.
We are a young nation chasing big dreams. We come from different
backgrounds – ethnicities, religions, cultures and geographical locations. It
is expected that along the way, we have intentionally and unintentionally hurt
the other. The fact is, we have over-used our differences especially that of
ethnicity and religion as political tools. Conveniently using real politics as
an excuse to not work harder with a better approach. As such, over the decades,
we pressed on building partisan politics based on unhealthy ethnic competition.
We created scars that slowly but surely grew us to be a
nation with wounded hearts. This must not go on. We need to heal.
Tun Dr. Mahathir and Tan Sri Lim Kit Siang can help heal
our nation.
I have been harbouring this idea since 2003 when Tun first
resigned. I was waiting for Tan Sri to retire too, to promote the idea. However,
events the last two decades have made me hold back the idea.
But today, it is not too late.
Tun and Tan Sri are leaders of all Malaysians. At the same
time, they are both also seen as the ultimate advocates of the Malays (Tun) and
non-Malays, particularly the Chinese (Tan Sri). They both help carved our
modern history. For decades, they coloured our political, economic and social
realities. They represented the uppermost leadership on both sides of our
political divide. They, till today, carry an unmatched, respected and may I
say, legendary, aura.
I have strong convictions that if Tun and Tan Sri are seen
together chatting and sharing their thoughts and feelings about the past, the
present and their hopes for our future, we will take our first steps to heal
and bring our nation closer together.
Imagine Tun and Tan Sri at a park in Putrajaya, each
assisting the other every now and then as they stroll through the walking path.
Or, visiting Parliament and having a friendly banter about how they ripped at
each other in the good old days. Perhaps in another session, sharing their
grandfatherly bliss and introducing their grandchildren to each other – and
share their hopes for the future generations.
Perhaps, ‘Keluar Sekejap’ could facilitate the sessions and
meetings. Plan for a good number of episodes. The goal is to heal the nation.
Bring us closer.
We need to show that while Tun and Tan Sri are opposed to the
other, both are working for Malaysia in their own way. They are just “musuh
politik”, not real enemies.
I pray and hope that Tun and Tan Sri find resonance in this
idea and see it as their greatest final gift to Malaysia and Malaysians.
Let’s heal our wounded hearts.
Thank you.
Peace.
Anas Zubedy
Penang
Note : Pix from Berita Harian Website
