Guan Eng is free but the Malaysian justice system is still in fetters. Guan Eng’s incaceration and sacrifice would not be in vain if his injustice becomes a source of inspiration for Malaysians to be more resolved and committed to bring about far-reaching changes in our institutions and system of government to restore justice and fair play in Malaysia.
This morning’s tumultous reception for Guan Eng outside Kajang Prisons, where several thousands of Malaysians regardless of race, religion, gender, age or political beliefs, gathered to pay tribute to Guan Eng as a symbol against injustice in Malaysia is most unprecedented in the 42-year history of Malaysian nation-buiding and very encouraging.
It marks the coming of age of the Malaysian nation-building process, as well as a quickening of the creation of a Malaysian consciousness where Malaysians can transcend their ethnic, religious and even political differences to find common bond and commitment to the ideals of justice and fair play in Malaysia.
If Guan Eng’s incarceration can accelerate the process of Malaysian nation-building and the pace at which Malaysians regardless of race and religion can join hands for the higher ideals of justice, freedom, democracy and good governance, then this is a most positive side to the trials and tribulations which Guan Eng had to undergo in the past one year under very harsh prison regimes not for commiting any crime but for defending the dignity, honour, human rights and woman rights of an underage girl victim of statutory rape.
This would also be a consequence the Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr.
Mahathir Mohamad had not expected or intended.
(25/8/99)