NEWS media group Gravitas, through its WION broadcast on Wednesday titled Inside Ukraine's training camp for foreign fighters, presented the latest update on the former Soviet state situation.
WION’s executive director Palki Sharma Upadhyay, in presenting the news, summarised the situation as “the biggest flash point in the world”.
Meanwhile, observers worldwide believe that the Russian threat on Ukraine’s democratic state could also potentially foreshadow a World War III outbreak.
Of particular mention is that some 17,000 private individual volunteers from 27 countries have joined Ukrainian paramilitary forces – the Georgian National Legion – to defend the country’s democracy.
What is the moral lesson for Malaysia?
Our politicians here have been shoring up their political influence, using race and religion as the currency in their game plan for power and control.
While beating their chests to defend one particular race and one particular religion over and above the diverse, multiracial citizenry, the thoughts, words and actions of these politicians in support of this racist and religious bigotry have been chipping away at the democratic rights of all citizens.
Today, non-Malays and non-Muslims in Malaysia are experiencing trauma – felt or perceived – along political, social, economic and even environmental paradigms. This trauma is scarring democracy, in a nation that won independence in 1957 and chiselled a federal constitution pillared to support such a system.
Today, Malaysians are experiencing a serious trust deficit as politicians face corruption charges – alleged, on trial, and those convicted.
When the constitutional right to free speech and critique is constantly being watched over, waylaid and intimidated, democracy is undermined.
Of late, we see room for expressions of feelings through art, the questioning of human rights, and even reporting of wrong-doings, all slipping fast through the hourglass of democratic rights.
Even in the battle against the dreaded Covid-19 pandemic, threats appear to supersede educating, convincing and encouraging the public.
One top politician, who once was perceived among the masses as potential prime minister material, could even go public with threats of “We will make life difficult for you” – targeting those not wanting to be vaccinated with the initial vaccines made available in Malaysia, and “Your privileges will be removed” – for those hesitating to take booster jabs.
Backtracking to 2019, even the legitimately and democratically elected government was ousted by plotting politicians who took over the country in what is now known worldwide as a “backdoor government”.
The political manoeuvres have not ceased, and Malaysia’s democracy is under further threat as politicians pull the carpets under state governments, thereby forcing a state election prematurely.
The moral lesson from Ukraine’s predicament must awaken the citizens of Malaysia.
We cannot continue to let democracy be chipped away by plotting politicians. The current and continuing state of political instability in the country will compromise the nation’s future.
The Ukrainians are defending not just their nation but are preparing to die for democracy. And citizens from 27 nations are volunteering to fight for the Ukrainian cause, defending a nation of people against an impending war brought upon the nation by powerful nations.
It is time for Malaysian politicians to stop eroding the very pillars that this nation’s independence was built upon: democracy.
It is time for citizens to banish evil politicians who keep harping on divisive rhetoric among citizens along racial and religious lines.
It is time for our small and beloved nation to stand up against any form of tyranny that cloaks corruption in any form and at any level. – The Vibes, February 11, 2022
J.D. Lovrenciear reads The Vibes
