Excerpt – Why Bother?

“……..Firstly, there are some fundamental principles that are unique to our country with respect to the rights and obligations that communities have to each other and to the country within the framework of nation-building that we are told are absolute taboo to discuss. These principles are commonly and collectively known as the “social contract”. And because we don’t discuss them, we each end up holding to our own views, without knowing, appreciating or caring for the views of others…”

“…….Secondly, there is a major difference of opinion in Malaysian society as to whether or not certain basic ideals and values that are at the core of a person’s rights as a citizen are subject to, or superior to this social contract. These would include questions of democracy, the rule of law, equality, and transparency. Let me give you an example. If, for the sake of argument, you take the position that the ideal of democracy is subject to the social contract, and that you take the view that the social contract grants Malays special rights ad infinitum, then you would say that democracy will always be subject to the provision of such special rights. But if your base position is that democracy is an inalienable right of every citizen in the country, and that special rights only exist for a specific and limited purpose, then these rights to the extent they exist, must always be subject to the exercise of democracy. The difference of opinion would perhaps be less of an issue if we were a homogenous society. But that is not the case. And since the difference of opinion is along a fault line that separates communities, any discussion of this difference could be highly emotive and dangerous.

This example encapsulates the challenge of writing this book. How can we discuss the problems created by the environment in which democracy operates, if we cannot have a common understanding as to the fundamental principles of the social contract and the relationship that they bear to these critical values and ideals?

……………………………………..”

Other Key Themes Of Reset

-Why Bother?
-The Notion of Hospitality
-The Malay Struggle
-Democracy Vs Special Rights
-Communal Prejudice
-Race Politics
-Sailing With The Wind
-Maintaining the Equilibrium
-Meeting the Principles
-The Proposal

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About The Book

Many would blame Malaysia’s current political upheaval on decades of ineptitude, abuse and race-based politics. Although the electoral “tsunami” suggests a rejection of past methods, an alignment on the way forward remains in doubt. RESET examines the fundamentals of Malaysia’s socio-political fabric and delivers an uncompromising analysis of the underlying causes of the nation’s current political crisis. It reveals our collective complicity and explains how, together, we might beat the impasse. RESET is meant for all Malaysians (no matter their political allegiance) who are courageous, willing to call a spade a spade, and want true effective and lasting change, in the name of their children, and those of their fellow countrymen.

Disclaimer

While I fully appreciate and respect the right of free expression, I ask all of you to kindly refrain from using abusive language that might unduly cause offence, or making remarks of a personal nature against anyone or any community. RESET is about charting the way forward for the country, and to do so, we must be able to have a frank and hardnosed discussion on all issues affecting us. But we must be able to have that discussion dispassionately and with civility and respect towards each other if it is going to be a meaningful and constructive engagement.

RESET