NOW that the date of the 13th General Election has been announced by Election Commission chairman Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof, our lives can now proceed with greater certainty. All efforts can be directed towards planning for campaigning between nomination day on April 20 and polling on May 5. Generously, the EC had set aside two solid weeks for all parties to woo voters.

As Malaysians, we take great pride in our eastern values of gentleness, equanimity and level-headedness. This will be put to the test once the contesting parties toss their hats into the ring to seek the rakyat’s mandate. To be sure, the prize is great – the winner given the privilege of forming the next government.

We know what strife is like. As a society, this fabric of cohesion was ripped apart once in our history. For those who experienced the heat of anger and the torment of terror wrought on the psyche of the nation by the racial riots of May 13, 1969, we vow; never again.

Hopefully, amongst the X and Y generation of voters whose life is so padded with pampering and therefore value stability too much, any attempt to sow the seeds of discord should be given short shrift.
While the older generation have invested so much to build the solid foundations for development and progress of the nation, the younger set can show their gratitude by preserving these gains.

Far from being a game, this democratic process is a privilege to be exercised with utmost care. Abuse it and society pays the price. The rule of the majority must prevail.

We place great faith in the ability of the police in maintaining law and order throughout the campaign period. For that reason, there should be no doubting their ability to maintain the peace.

As Malaysians, we are fortunate that we have all the systems and structures for us to exercise our democratic right to campaign, canvass and cajole. Opposing views we may hold, determined we may be in promoting our cause, divergent we may be in our politics, good sense however must always prevail. Lets all march towards the polls with maturity. We all have our duties and responsibilities to ensure its peaceful outcome. Accept that privilege, but handle it with care.