Why I am a conservative despite opposing the status-quo
As a Malaysian, it’s easy to lose sight of our history among crooked politicians, archaic ideologues, and vernacularists who wish to ruin modern Malaysia. Our forebears overcame comparable obstacles. They resisted tyranny till their shouts shook the sky.
“The contradiction is this: man rejects the world as it is, without accepting the necessity of escaping it. In fact, men cling to the world, and by far the majority do not want to abandon it.”
-Albert Camus, The Rebel
There are several things in life that we cannot escape. We must die; we live in a physical universe where everything is subject to the laws of nature that govern our existence. But there are some aspects of human beings that defy description through words alone. One such thing is identity. “Identity” is something we know only in ourselves. No matter how hard we try to define it, we always come up short. And so, we spend much of our lives struggling against it, fighting with each other over who gets to own the definition and who doesn’t get to belong.
As humans, we’re defined by the relationships we build with others, but we fight over who owns whom. Our identities are fluid. We struggle constantly to keep them intact, to maintain them in a way that allows us to feel secure. Yet, at times, we lose sight of who we truly are, forgetting that we exist beyond our identities. Politics is just another manifestation of this constant battle between self and other. It is a contest about who belongs to whom, whose needs count for more than yours do. Sometimes, however, politics takes on a dimension that goes deeper than the personal. When it does, you find yourself caught up in something bigger than your ego. You begin to question whether what matters most isn’t simply what happens to me personally, but what affects everyone else. At such moments, you realise that you’ve reached the point where you no longer see the world as separate from yourself; instead, you start seeing the world as though you were looking down from above. That’s when you become aware of how interconnected the world really is, how connected every person is to everyone else. Suddenly, the idea of “I” seems insignificant compared to the whole.
But here’s my problem: labels don’t allow us to think like this. Labels are convenient shortcuts we use to make sense of the world, but they aren’t very effective tools for understanding reality. As soon as someone uses a label to describe his or her position, he or she begins thinking of himself as belonging to that category. Once that happens, there’s nothing left to say except that I’m right and you’re wrong. What’s worse, the moment we stop questioning our assumptions, we give away the ability to learn anything new.
In Malaysia, conservatism, specifically, is a term that has lost meaning because it has been abused by politicians. For a long time, conservatives in Malaysia saw themselves as defenders of the status quo: Bumiputera privileges, Islam, Malay supremacy, etc. But are these abstract concepts actually worth defending? Are they worthy goals for Malaysians today and tomorrow, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or religion? Shouldn’t we ask questions like: Does this concept benefit everyone equally or only certain groups? Is it fair to impose on others those beliefs and practises that work best for you and your family? How can we ensure that everyone benefits from whatever policies and programmes we enact? If we answer such questions honestly, we’ll discover that none of these ideas are particularly progressive, let alone conservative ones.
The truth of the matter is that a conservative worldview doesn’t mean protecting things as they are. On the contrary, a conservative perspective sees everything as being in flux, changing and evolving based on people’s choices — and the choices of previous generations, too. Conservatives understand that change is inevitable, and so they embrace it. They know that progress comes through trial and error. And they believe that the only things holding back change are fear, ignorance, and prejudice.
To put it bluntly, a Malaysian conservative is someone who believes in preserving the good, rejecting the bad, and working hard to achieve the best.
Thus, my definition of conservatism is simple: It’s about embracing our past, building upon it, and making sure we don’t lose sight of what makes life worthwhile. To me, this is a far more useful way to approach the issue than trying to convince other Malaysians that we should continue doing things exactly as they’ve always been done before. After all, if we cling to old ways of thinking, we run the risk of repeating mistakes that hurt ourselves and prevent us from moving forward. We must accept that some of our cherished traditions might not serve us anymore, and that we shouldn’t try to preserve outdated systems just because they feel comfortable. However, that does not necessarily mean discarding them entirely. Instead, we should adapt them to fit our needs and aspirations and build something new out of them. If the theory of evolution teaches us anything, it’s that no idea ever stays static; instead, each generation improves on the ideas that came before it. So when we talk about “preserving” things, we should do so cautiously, recognising that every age creates new challenges and thus requires different solutions.
It would be impossible for me to write an exhaustive list of the principles that define a modern Malaysian conservative. There are simply too many issues affecting our lives and livelihoods for anyone to cover them all. That said, here are five core tenets I find essential:
1) Preserving our cultural heritage
We live in a globalised world where cultures clash, collide, and blend together. While this phenomenon presents opportunities for innovation and creativity, it also poses threats to the very existence of traditional identities. As such, it becomes crucial for us to safeguard and celebrate the customs, norms, values, and beliefs that make up our identity as Malaysians. These are the foundations of our civilization.
2) Sovereignty and self-determination
A sovereign nation is one that controls its own destiny. A nation is but a collection of individuals united by shared ideals and common interests. Therefore, the first step toward achieving true sovereignty is to establish a sense of national unity among Malaysians. In a world where nations are constantly competing for economic advantage and military superiority, a unified Malaysia can stand tall against foreign powers. A nation that cannot defend itself lacks dignity. Only then will Malaysians truly be free to pursue their dreams.
3) Constant vigilance against corruption
Corruption erodes trust in governments and corrodes democracy. Corruption leads to a loss of faith in authority — and those who lack confidence in the people in charge tend to lash out violently. Our only hope lies in building a strong civil society based on mutual respect. Citizens must learn to take responsibility for themselves and to hold others accountable for their actions. By cultivating integrity and honesty in ourselves, we’ll empower ordinary Malaysians to demand accountability from politicians, bureaucrats, and business executives alike.
4) Conserving our democratic institutions
Democracy doesn’t guarantee equality or fairness; instead, it ensures that citizens get a say in the affairs of the state through periodic elections. But this alone isn’t enough. To ensure good governance, we must foster a culture of participation and civic engagement. The best way to achieve this goal is by encouraging active citizenship and promoting healthy competition between political parties. Democracy thrives in open societies where everyone gets involved in shaping policies and setting priorities.
5) Conserving our people
As Malaysians, we share a rich diversity of backgrounds, languages, traditions, and faiths. We’re blessed with fertile land, abundant natural resources, skilled human capital, and a vibrant economy. All of these assets contribute to Malaysia’s unique position in Southeast Asia and beyond. The problem is that some groups within Malaysia seem intent on destroying what makes us special. They seek to undermine our hard-earned achievements and replace our proud history with a distorted version of events. Worse still, they actively encourage discrimination and hatred against fellow Malaysians whose views don’t align with theirs. If Malaysians do nothing to stop them now, our beloved homeland could soon face ruinous consequences.
I’m writing today because I believe in my heart that we can overcome this challenge if we act quickly, decisively, and intelligently. In the end, labels like “conservative” and “liberal”, “right-wing” and “left-wing” matter less than we think. It is the tangible things we value in life that really count. And when it comes to preserving what matters most, it is the thousands of small sanities that make up our lives that define our identity as Malaysians. These include everything from family ties and cultural heritage to the simple pleasures of eating together every evening and enjoying quiet moments spent reading books.
To me, contradiction is inherent in being a true Malaysian. For instance, we are simultaneously proud of our accomplishments but unwilling to rest on our laurels. As a result, we continue to strive for excellence in whatever field we find an interest in. Likewise, we celebrate our differences yet remain united in spirit. At times, we are harsh critics of our own shortcomings whilst fiercely defending our shared identity. We cherish our independence above all else, yet acknowledge our dependence on each other for survival.
Our ability to balance contradictions defines us as a nation. And for both individuals and nations alike, it is only when we embrace the paradoxes of existence that we truly thrive. Unfortunately, this wisdom seems lost on many who claim to represent the interests of the majority. Instead of helping us build bridges across the fault lines that threaten to tear apart our community, they’ve chosen to fan the flames of discord and division.
For too long, their divisive rhetoric has served to stoke fears and anxieties among those who feel threatened by change. Their reckless attacks on our shared values have eroded the trust between different races and religions. Corporate greed has replaced national pride. Selfish ambition has trumped communal responsibility. Corruption has replaced honesty. Greed has replaced justice. Fear has replaced hope. Hatred has replaced love.
But now, we must sail past the storm clouds gathering overhead. Now, we must rise above the fearmongering and divisiveness engulfing our nation. Together, we must unite behind common ideals and principles so that we may forge ahead toward brighter horizons. No matter our partisan affiliations or individual beliefs, we cannot allow ourselves to fall victim to the seductive lure of cynicism and despair. Because if we let down our guard, we will surely drown in the rising tide of darkness sweeping across the land. We can do better. And I know that you want nothing more than to see our lives flourish once again. That is why we must stand together and safeguard what is precious about our country.
Today, I declare myself a conservative — a believer in the virtues of our shared Malaysian identity. But don’t mistake my words for naivety. Far from being a blind follower of dogma, we must conserve what works whilst discarding what does not. To preserve our unique way of life, we must discard the outdated customs and traditions that hold back progress. If anything, we should take inspiration from our forefathers’ courage to adapt to changing circumstances whilst preserving our core values. After all, we Malaysians are heirs to an age-old legacy that is rooted deep within our hearts and minds. Our ancestors believed that knowledge would bring prosperity; that innovation could create opportunities for all. They understood that equality was essential for peace. Above all else, they knew that liberty and democracy were the bedrock of human dignity. So, today, I proudly proclaim that I am a conservative because I believe that our nation belongs to all her citizens, not some political party that claims exclusive ownership over it.
As conservatives, we understand that our diversity is a blessing, not a curse. It allows us to tap into the vast reservoir of talent and skills available throughout our multiracial society. As conservatives, we know that true freedom begins with personal responsibility. Only through hard work and discipline will we earn respect.
For as Edmund Burke said,
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing”.
Today, we must strive harder than ever before to make this world a safer place for all.
