"Rebuilding Governance: Accountability, Meritocracy, and the Gen Z Effect"

Anti-corruption, transparency, accountability, freedom, meritocracy and change, all the values that the Gen Z movement stands for, almost everyone wants the same, and high time too. Going Back to September 8, I fail to comprehend how a protest of peace turned ugly and violent. The loss of lives is irreparable; their homes will never be the same again. That morning when these young people walked out of their homes, not one of them had imagined that they would never return, nor had those who are struggling today to recover from injuries and trauma. For me, the biggest question is what happened in those few hours? How did the national intelligence fail? How was leadership at all levels unable to contain what was designed to be one of the darkest pages in our political narrative?

But as days pass, we have declared them martyrs. We have also declared an interim government to shoulder the responsibility of restoring law and order leading towards general elections within six months while delivering on the core agenda of the protest – fight against corruption, establish accountability and transparency, and ensure justice is met with those who have perpetuated corruption and violence while holding positions of authority being brought to books. And while this transformation towards positive leadership and awake citizens gathers momentum we must not forget:

The agents of change of the Gen Z movement were not the Gen Z population alone (estimated at 10% in the country), it was the Gen X, Y, before that and after that populations too. Almost everyone agreed to the change because we believe in the agenda set by the protestors. Thus, there must be a proportional representation to ensure true inclusivity in all laws and rights. 

Leadership must be on the basis of meritocracy and ability. It doesn’t matter which generation the person represents. After all the Gen Z movement did very wisely choose a 70 plus to become the PM in this interim government. Data assets must be created profiling all types of leadership: government, business, social, civil, legal. Leadership must be intention in action. It’s not a seat; it’s a person doing work for larger good. 

Arson, looting, vandalism, violence must be lawfully dealt with irrespective of who did it and to whom. There is enough evidence should there be the intention to deal with it to deliver justice.

Populist statements and actions by the interim govt must be watched closely and called out maturely and only when necessary. The sacrifice of so many lives cannot be measured by monetary compensation. We do not just want a change in faces and cosmetic change in policy and government, the interim government stands as an example of what change is possible, knowing that NOT everything can be achieved in this period. But they cannot lose focus. 

Gen Z is a population demographic with the right intention. It is clearly NOT a political party and this must be internalised. 

The voice of SME and value chain businesses tied to the bigger businesses (who have some level of relief from insurance) must not be left out.  

Build back is not a slogan. We have built back so many times. This was not a natural disaster, those who destroyed national property and for that matter private property must be held accountable. 

There needs to be an independent report on the occurrences of the first day of protest where so many innocent lives were lost. The PMO, the IGP and Home Ministry are accountable. This needs to be a public document with a timeline. 

Political parties have an amazing opportunity to clean their systems and human resource. While a party is a legacy of freedom and ideology, no one person owns the party. Good people within the party must come forward. Please remember you exist because people voted for you. All parties should also digitalise and make public their assets in monetary function and human resource. 

Media role is valuable only if it is independent and fair. Please support media that stands for unbiased reporting and ethical practices.

We have immense wealth of people with intelligence, wisdom, experience and strong values. Many of them are silent heroes, not active on social media or television. Know them. Celebrate them. Even if they belong to a political party. Collaboration works better than division.

We must choose our leaders wisely knowing that they are here to represent us and serve the country. Do not look for heroes or do not make them wear capes in your mind. They are as human as you and I. Support them but don’t ever believe they are the ones to rescue the nation; the onus is on each one of us to do what we can from where we can. It’s not a 100-meter race, it’s a marathon that we run for life. 

A country’s government is a reflection of the people it represents. No more, no less.