Remember that time when you wished you could say something to the Prime Minister's face?
Careful what you wish for, because it might just come true. In this case, it came true! Now, the people of Malaysia can interact with their Prime Minister using the Najib Razak app (available on the App Store and Google Play.
But before you go on a keyboard warrior mode, I would like to ask that you take a minute to think about what this means. This is an opportunity, a golden opportunity, to do a positive thing or a negative thing. You can choose whichever option you like.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE YOURSELF FEEL BETTER
I'm going to call out the elephant in the room: many people have issues with the Prime Minister.
I can imagine that many frustrated Malaysians will see this as another outlet for them to spew all their negative feelings on the Prime Minister, as if Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, Youtube, Whatsapp, Telegram, and coffee shops are not enough. You can use this opportunity that way.
Judging by the readers' reactions in the The Star's article about this app, I think it would most probably make people feel better to vent through the app. But I kindly ask that you look beyond simply satisfying your personal frustrations and focus more on what could be an avenue for you to do good for the Malaysian community.
I ask that you look beyond just making yourself feel better, to making Malaysia better. If you have an issue that you would like to address the Prime Minister, then address it in the most mature way possible. That is more likely to get his attention towards the issue, compare to simply calling him bad names.
We are no longer in primary school.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THE COUNTRY BETTER
Tell our Prime Minister that we are demanding from our leaders - of any political party - transparency, accountability, and fair governance for all, regardless of race or religion. We do not want relevant information to be hidden or covered up.
Tell our Prime Minister that we are looking at evidence, and not mere words and slogans. We are not simple minded who see things as black or white, pro-government or anti-government. We observe and judge based upon substance, and not the outer shell.
Tell our Prime Minister that we will support him, but only when he is right. We are fair people who separate the person from his actions. We will acknowledge the good, but we will reprimand the bad. We stand by the truth, even if it means we have to go against the people from our race or religion.
Tell our Prime Minister that our votes are based upon a decision making process with one aim, and one aim only: to hope for a better Malaysia for our next generations, with or without him. We are not easily swayed by sweet promises or temporary assistance.
Tell our Prime Minister that we are not ungrateful for all the things that the government has done for us. The fact that we are speaking up using the proper channels is an indication that we are grateful people, and it is out of gratitude that we want to see a better Malaysia.
Show our Prime Minister that the Malaysian people are well-educated, critical, composed, and confident people.
To download the app, click here for iOS users, or here for Android users.