Daring Us to Dream Once More

America has every reason to celebrate the historic election of Barack Obama as President. It is important to remind ourselves again just how insurmountable the odds were against Obama when he decided to launch his presidential bid. Within his own Democratic Party, he has to secure nomination against what once assumed to be the Party’s natural choice – Hillary Clinton. Even after his party’s nomination, with the Democratic base deeply split, Barack has to face off against the candidate from Republican Party, traditionally, the party that has access to huge funds from businesses; a huge (some might say fanatical) religious base, and more critical, a party that tend to whip up religious and even racial overtones in order to secure the Presidency. What does a junior Senator who is of mixed blood, who is without political pedigree, has against McCain, an American war hero whose family has been in the service of the American Navy for generations?

Obama pulled of this momentous win because his campaign, as one political commentator put it so succinctly – was inclusive, engaging and empowering. He organized his support from the grassroots up. He uses the internet to reach out to young voters. Whereas the Republican Party continues to rely on big donors/businesses for funds, Obama democratize his campaign contribution receipts by actively seeking funds from everyone, whether $10 or $20, who yearned to see change through him. He dared Americans to embrace change, telling the young and old, the cynical and the apathetic, that they can restore the American dream by voting – that they have a role to play. Believed him they did – first time voters and the young came out in droves, braving long queues because they really believed they can make history by securing a better future for America and for themselves.

Obama’s closing statements in his victory speech, “…And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can”. Doesn’t this remind us of our very own failed leadership who is always holding us back from embracing a truly united Malaysia, without regard to colour and race? A tarnished political entity that has no courage to overturn its ludicrous beliefs that 50 years after Independence and into the 21st century, we Malaysians are not ready to be Malaysians first, and our respective race, second?

It is thought that Malaysia ushered in a new era when for this first time in Malaysian politics we created a viable 2 party system after the March general election. Though it was a clear message to the ruling elite that Malaysians have found their voice, and that we have, and will, exercise our right as citizens to accord power only to those that uses them for the good of the country, alas, the ruling party continues to practice a divisive brand of politics. In his speech, Obama immediately reached out to those who had not voted for him, saying, “I will be your President too”. In contrast, the National Front is sidelining the PKR-ruled states, creating disunity within our own state borders, while trying to undermine the PKR by harping on the perceived racial/religious differences between its partners.

Meanwhile, the country slides into deep economic uncertainty. We are still waiting for judicial reforms; tougher legislation against corruption; lower crime rates. Changes we the people have been promised but yet to be delivered. We may have a change of leadership next year but great skepticism persists whether a PM-in-waiting whose name has been dragged into a sensational murder case and a questionable billion-dollar helicopter deal can effectively inspire change. While America may face a steep economic recession next year, it will be fighting with a sense of renewed purpose that in the midst of gloom, it can emerge with a bright future if they stand together, rallied on by an inclusive new President. For Malaysia, in 2009, we would most probably still be breathing in the same stale air of zany economic policies that encourages rent-seeking; backward politicians that still bicker how to divide a rapidly shrinking pie when other nations are busy expanding it; and the delusion that Malaysia is not ready for change simply because they themselves are not prepared to.

“We are ready for Change. We are one Nation, We are One People” so exclaimed the new US President-Elect. Malaysians are still waiting for a leader that has the courage to espouse this dream. Congratulations, America. You have once again given us hope and dared us to dream.