All Malaysians welcome with hope, joy and pride the first Hari Raya Aidifitri after the historic and watershed 14th General Election on May 9, 2018.

Malaysians are rightfully proud that they can now stand tall in the world after effecting a peaceful and democratic transition of power, an affirmation of democracy as a system of governance at a time when democracy is in decline all over the world, and to repudiate the infamy, ignominy and iniquity of a global kleptocracy.

What gives great hope for the future is the exhilarating spirit, energy and power of Malaysians – not Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans or Ibans – coming together to save Malaysia from becoming a failed, kakistocratic, rogue and kleptocratic state, and succeeding against formidable odds and forecasts of all mainstream pollsters and analysts.

It is no exaggeration to say that never before in previous thirteen general elections since 1959 had the country seen such intensity and viciousness in the politics of fear, hate, lies, race and religion as in the 14th General Election.

This has made Malaysia’s second chance to fulfill the Malaysian Dream to be a top world-class nation which is “a beacon of light to a disturbed and distracted world” even more precious and invaluable.

Thirty-one years ago, a top government official told me that the DAP was “too ahead of the times” and although DAP principles and polices were right and good for the country – it might take another generation for them to become generally acceptable.

The time has come to reset Malaysia’s nation-building polices and directions where Malaysians will stop thinking of themselves merely as Malays, Chinese, Indians, Kadazans and Ibans but to think of themselves as Malaysians!

Let Malaysians leverage on the strength and assets of our diversities of race, religion, language and culture to transform Malaysia into a top world class nation in every field of human endeavor and be an example to the world of an united, harmonious, successful, progressive and prosperous nation.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir dan Batin.

(Hari Raya Aidilfitri message on Thursday, 14th June 2018)