Oh Brave New World of Change

Just this morning I wrote to an American friend currently residing in New Zealand, "I'm keeping my fingers crossed because I think an Obama win will go a long way to changing race perceptions here in Malaysia."

Now that Barack Obama is indeed the new President of the United States, let me explain what I meant. America voted for change and in doing so, has anointed the first African-American man as president, a man whose grandfather was Muslim, a man who is a relative outsider by virtue of his ancestry, his upbringing and his inexperience. But he promised change so they looked beyond the colour of his skin, his grandpa's religion and all the superficial stuff, to scrutinise his vision, his passion, his sincerity and his equanimity. And they said, yes, he's the man for the job.

Eight months ago, Malaysians apparently voted for change. We voted for Ketuanan Rakyat and in doing so, we enabled Pakatan Rakyat to wrest four more states from Barisan Nasional. The change we wanted, and still want, has been slow in coming. Since 8 March, i've watched the BN politicians shamelessly manipulate the truth, tell falsehoods, abuse the law, exploit racist and religious sentiments, cheat and stonewall, all to hang on to power. And my disgust and despair have been growing steadily.

But with a President Obama in the White House, ringing in the changes, there is hope. If he keeps his promise of change while maintaining the graciousness and dignity he displayed during his campaign, he will change the way America is perceived all over the world.

Malaysians (who really, really look up to the Americans) will look at this new, gracious, colour-blind America and then see how small and petty we have become. And we have become so because we have consistently elected small, petty and venal men to lead us.

They say, change must come from within. Hopefully, this dreadful realisation will spark a change in how we perceive ourselves as Malaysians. Then, in four years' time (or even sooner), when the general elections roll around again, we'll hold the American example in our transformed hearts, and be ready to make sweeping changes at the ballot box.

Here's a selection of what other Malaysian bloggers are saying:

Haris Ibrahim's The People's Parliament
The Dandelions
Susan Loone
Marina Mahathir's Rantings by MM
Malaysians Unplugged Uncensored
Lim Kit Siang
myAsylum