Citizens reborn: Maturing in civil engagement .

FEB 27 — Alice Nah | Malaysianinsider

Only a short time ago, many Malaysians took comfort in remaining “apolitical”. Those without affiliation to political parties and who felt estranged from politicians preferred to leave the work of governance to others. It is different now.

Malaysians — across ethnic groups, class divisions, religious affiliations and age differences — are becoming more engaged in social and political developments, more interested in reading the news, keener to follow events in society.

Slowly, but surely, we are finding our “voice”. We are learning ways of expressing ourselves peacefully, seeing that we can put aside old fears. We are exploring the strength in our hands, discovering that our opinions, no matter how small or tentative, count too.

Engagement — individually and collectively — is at the crux of a functioning democracy. Engagement begins with awareness and interest, blossoms through conversation and action, and matures with wisdom, understanding, and compassion for others. It can be a powerful force for positive change. It can also be destructive, if we are not careful.

We need maturity in the way we engage.

We need to create spaces of dialogue and debate where we can share information and listen to opposing views, without deepening enmity. This can only be achieved when we are genuinely interested in what others have to say, no matter how strange their point of view. Productive debate is not possible when we disrespect others or dismiss their ideas without listening to them. This happens too often. We may not agree, and despite genuine attempts, even find no point of commonality, but we need to respect the right of others to their own opinions. We need to find ways of living together peacefully in diversity.

We need to engage on behalf of others, not just ourselves. We need to act for others when they can’t move; speak for them when they are forced into silence. We need to value their lives; protect their fundamental freedoms; care for them and their children. Society will always be fragmented if we look only to our own concerns. Our vision of our roles and responsibilities as citizens must grow. We must develop a sense of civic duty that goes beyond political affiliations and struggles for power.

We need to rise above apathy, disappointment and hopelessness. Change in society is not achieved overnight, although there may be moments of exciting upheaval (such as the March elections!). We need perseverance and patience over a long period of time. Most of the time, our actions — the signing of petitions, attendance at candlelight vigils, writing of comments on blogs — do not have immediate, tangible effect. We may get disappointed, wondering if it is worth doing anything at all. We need to see these actions with faith — as water that can swell into a wave. One day, we hope, these waves will hit home with might. In the meantime, we must continue to lay solid foundations for change.

The hope for a just society in Malaysia lies neither in Pakatan Rakyat nor in Barisan Nasional alone; it lies with the citizens of Malaysia. Shifts in political power have created unprecedented spaces for engagement and action. It would be a tragedy for us to revert back to the apathy and powerlessness of the past.

However, we must not place all our hopes in political parties, assuming that regime change will automatically bring about the society that we want. We must grasp, with vigour, our roles and responsibilities as citizens. It is hard work, and we will constantly step into unfamiliar territory as we explore the contours of democracy, but the lives of others — the poor, the marginalised and the weak; the violated, oppressed, and suppressed; the foreigners who are vulnerable in our midst — depend on us.

We are the people.