G25 torchbearers need our support

IT’S A breath of fresh air and a source of much pride to me and many to have read that a former PTD (Pegawai Pentadbiran Diplomatic) colleague Tan Sri Alwi Jantan has come out strongly to support our cherished national values of secularism, liberalism and pluralism. He urges greater national unity and good governance.

As a leading member of the Group of 25 (G25) of eminent former senior Malay civil servants and intellectuals, Alwi and the G25, are torchbearers for our founding fathers. They are fully worthy of the whole-hearted support of all true Malaysians.

However, they are preaching to the converted, especially those Malaysians in the more sophisticated urban areas. The G25 has also a limited number of about 40 members. It has to expand its membership, not only among more leading non-political party Malay leaders. It must also consider being more inclusive. The G25 has to include leaders in the rural areas and non-Malays and leading moderates in Sabah and Sarawak.

There has been a worldwide tendency for politicians to look towards the next election, to preserve vested interests. Their vision is therefore limited to the short term. They tend to pursue the dubious doctrine of state capture to prolong and perpetuate their continuing political dominance and power, often for self gain, rather than the peoples’ progress.

In contrast, the independent and experienced thinkers and patriots in the G25, are committed to the long-term national interests and the national unity, modernity and sustainability of our country. And that is why, we all must rally around the G25, to strengthen them and to develop a kind of “G25 Movement”, that stands for moderation, integrity, equity, fairness and unity in diversity.

It is welcome news to hear that the G25 will be going beyond their current critical concerns, “to find solutions to the overlap of civilian and syariah laws”, to also delve into the vital question of good governance. This new emphasis is fundamental, as without or even less good governance, all our progress that we have proudly achieved since Merdeka, will dissipate and decline.

We are all deeply anxious about what Alwi boldly states viz “good governance has been eroded at an alarming rate”! The G25 Report on Political Financing Reforms that was submitted to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Paul Low has to be seriously discussed in Cabinet and even in Parliament. Hopefully the recommendations will be adopted by the government, well before the coming general election, in the interests of good governance.

All the rakyat really want is more fair, reasonable and equitable government and greater national unity, with a much higher good governance. This is our birthright and the people are not asking for much. That is the natural aspiration of the rakyat, especially the bottom 40%, regardless of race and religion. They could and are feeling marginalised. They even experience a sense of alienation from mainstream development. They may even feel a reduced sense of belonging and a low level of patriotism.

We have to go back to basics and follow the principles of good governance set by our wise founding fathers. Otherwise, as the G25 suggests, we could fail badly and fade away.

So let’s all rally round the G25, form a “G25 Movement”, and appeal for more good governance from our political leaders of all shades, to pass on a better Malaysia, to posterity. This is what all true Malaysians want and fully deserve.

And as we approach Malaysia Day on Sept 16, we the rakyat believe that we will win, if we are united against all abuses.

Selamat Hari Malaysia and May God bless our beloved Malaysia.

Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam Chairman Asli Centre for Public Policy Studies