Get ready for more responsibility

Posted on 18 September 2011 - 07:13pm
Last updated on 18 September 2011 - 07:37pm

R. Nadeswaran

IN JULY, a Malaysian journalist interviewed me on perspectives as a "Malaysian abroad". Among others, I had this to say: "I kind of have faith in what (Prime Minister Datuk Seri) Najib Razak is doing. He made some very strong speeches here in Oxford, and in the recent Organisation of the Islamic Conference in Egypt. Najib quoted from the Torah and the Bible, so if you have a prime minister who sees nothing wrong with using these words, what's wrong with these other guys?
"I regret that a few people have changed how we interact with each other, such as the one who wrote that email about it being haram to wish someone Merry Christmas? These are the individuals that make it difficult for all of us. Hypothetically if the prime minister's secretary is getting married in a church, shouldn't he attend the wedding?"
At a gathering a few days later, sceptical Malaysians scoffed at the opinions that were expressed. "Najib is all talk, no action," many said. All I said was, "given time, he will make it all happen."
On Thursday evening in London, the phones were buzzing between the Malaysian diaspora in disbelief. The Internal Security Act would be abolished along with two other laws deemed draconian; there would be no more doubts about the freedom of peaceful assembly; and newspapers would no longer be required to renew their licences annually.
Entering into the 55th year of nationhood, there could not have been better news. Even the London-based Amnesty International put out a release welcoming the announcement. The doubting Thomases were silenced for a change.
Detention without trial is unacceptable and when the police claimed they detained Sin Chew Daily reporter Tan Hoon Cheng under the ISA for her own safety, all logic was thrown out of the window. And I was among many journalists who made a stand at that unjustifiable arrest.
But any new-found freedom must come with responsibility. In the 90s, the new-found uncontrolled, uncensored internet became a tool for dissent and expression of views.
However, like a double-edged sword, it also became an avenue for claims, allegations, rumours, innuendo and accusations, most of which were not based on fact. It became and still remains a platform to criticise or accuse someone and hide under the cloak of anonymity.
More than 10 years ago, I told blogger Jeff Ooi (now MP for Jelutong) that Malaysians do not know how to handle freedom because they were on leash for so long. I reasoned that's the reason cyberspace is full of invented stories, doctored stories, and so-called authoritative comments by spin doctors.
Now that editors no longer have the sword of Damocles hanging over their heads, it is not a passport to publish anything that would harm or cause any damage to the already precarious race and religious relations in the country.
On the other hand, it would be good if editors use this to ostracise those who seek to use the religious and race card for personal and political gains.
As the next step, can we see some changes in the manner we manage our funds and assets. A well-educated and well-informed populace is the hope for our future. People will put their faith on a government that is open, transparent and accountable.
Every right-thinking Malaysian would like to thank the prime minister for his bold and courageous decision. But then again, we need this sort of brave thinking to spread down the line to civil servants who are in charge of administration.
In another part of the interview, I said: "I would also like to see me being able to walk into a government department, and ask 'Can you please tell me how much of state land was developed in the past year?' and get answers. If you have an open society and people who are careful with spending public money, your tax dollar will go a long way. I'd like to see that, not civil servants treating us as if we owe them a living. Here, the civil servants treat you as a customer or a client. Having said that I'd go on record and say we have the best chief secretary to the government now – Tan Sri Mohd Sidek Hassan – a man who engages the people and encourages engagement."
The most important thing is to empower civil servants by not making them subservient to politicians. After all, the ministers draw up policies and the civil service is there to implement them.
Any interference in the implementation process will only impede progress. Civil servants should be encouraged to stand up against any form of meddling instead of being punished for holding to established norms and principles.
The prime minister has set in motion a new era by listening to the voices of the majority on antiquated laws and rules. It is hoped that members of his cabinet will start thinking on the same lines to ensure a prosperous and united nation as we continue our march into the future. (Belated) Malaysia Day greetings to all our readers.
R. Nadeswaran hopes everyone will use the new-found freedom to espouse issues and values which will create a better community for all Malaysians. He is theSun's UK correspondent and can be reached at: citizen-nades@thesundaily.com