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COMMENT | So the time has come for Hari Raya - the day one feels inexplicably self-conscious for eating at 11 in the morning, or maybe that’s just me.

The festive mood is sure to be amplified with the start of the World Cup tournament in Russia. More than the World Cup, the festival marking the end of the fasting month comes at a time of an upbeat political mood.

The ninth of May is a date that will be etched in Malaysian minds for a long time to come. Today, in fact, is the first Eid under a new political order.

If May 9 marked a welcome Ramadan gift for Muslims supporting Dr Mahathir Mohamad, today symbolises the culmination of joy that has gripped the country for a month, even in spite of contentious issues such as political corruption and pricey goods.

Apart from celebrations, Hari Raya would do well to serve as an opportunity for reflecting on where the country will go in the future.

Malaysian support for the new government is already showing itself in ringgits and cents, with citizens conjuring more than RM60 million so far for Tabung Harapan, the fund set up by Mahathir to reduce the country’s national debt.

Even our Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Muhammad V, offered to reduce his salary by 10 percent to help reduce the debt. Apart from that, he cancelled his Hari Raya open house so that the funds could be allocated for national priorities.

More than support, it is a statement from Malaysians that they can put aside racial and religious differences for a common cause shared by a leader who has vowed to restructure the economy and combat corruption...

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