As a young student, I was introduced to this word “symbiosis” – in short it means a “mutually beneficial relationship between groups or people”. This word has stuck with me and now with the emergence of “New Malaysia” , i can forsee this becoming an integral part of my daily vocabulary to conceptualize a relationship between the Governtment and the people.
For the past 15 years the process of systematic “raping” and looting of the country’s resources have taken place. Everyone from the Royal Households to Ministers to Mentri Besars to Civil servants just kept their eyes closed. Those who stood up were “chopped” instantaneously. They were removed from their posts and or party.
Compounding the issue, Institutions that were supposed to be the “check and balance” were adulterated with people who continued the “boot licking” approach to their Masters. Billions were stolen and at the same time a dishonest, cheating and corrupt culture emerged. The motivating factor for this came from the infamous quote of ” Cash is King”.
However there were still some who took on the then leadership. They did not see their limitations of age or feared being incarcerated or branded as anti of a particular race or fooled as comedian politicians, but rather they felt a change was imminent for the country. This saw the birth of Pakatan Harapan (PH), a collection of 4 parties.
Promises were made and most were embedded in their Manifesto. Their first 100 days commitment when in power became a talking point. The people had been totally disgusted and frustrated with the then kleptocratic Government and the failures of the various Institutions to protect the nation and its people. This forced the people to democratically vote them out of power.
The people rose to the occasion and with a cross on the ballot paper saw the disintegration of the then kleptocratic Government. The PH promises caught the imagination of the people.
However the decay in the country’s core operational fibre which saw a lackadaisical approach in managing the country had permitted a widespread looting of the nation’s resources. The economic health of the country was in a diabolical scenario and the value system of power grabbing, greed, dishonesty and various negative superlatives were in absolute practice.
This is something PH did not forsee and in taking over the reins of power, such circumstances became a significant drawback to PH fulfilling its election promises. Even as simple an exercise as removing the Fake News law was defeated in Dewan Negara because of an Opposition controlled appointed Senate. Projects were granted directly to parties at exaggerated prices as part of a corrupt practice while government funds were transferred to personal accounts as though it was a household business.
The independence of the Judiciary and Civil Service were compromised while the Uniformed Services were being used at the whims and fancies of their political masters.
Initially the Palace was not supportive to the swearing in of the PH Government but later it relented and even then the appointment of the Attorney General and Ministers had its delay and colourful stories. It was not easy even to come into power despite the people’s will.
The truth slowly started to sink into PH that their election promises could not be easily fulfilled. The reality was that the
country was saved but at what price? Being nearly bankrupt, the Institutions having lost their independence, the Civil Service and Uniformed services finding it difficult to cope with “openess” and the crying demand of the public for speedy changes, put the PH in a dilemma to perform.
Malaysians began to judge the PH Government and with time everything has been viewed in a magnified manner. The people were for PH when they needed them and put them in power. Now the people want quick results and PH Government to keep to their promises.
The “symbiotic” relationship between the people and PH Government came under a severe test. The PH Vision of promises was based on a passage of a ” good tar road highway” but on coming to Government and in wanting to implement their promises they were faced with a ” laterite stony lane”, which needed substantial work and time
before a smooth passageway could be found.
Providing more aggravation was that the 4 parties in PH had their differences and now in an open environment there were substantial “” family squabbles”. All these did not help the image of a new Government. Much of the issues related to “power” matters not to basic issues facing the public.
Adding to the growing frustrating equation is the snail pace in bringing the personalities from the previous kleptocratic government to justice. Seeing them making statements and walking around freely seems to give the impression that the PH Government is fumbling in handling such cases.
Unfortunately the legal system where one is presumed innocent until proven guilty seems to be well capitalised by such personalities. They were using every possible avenue present in the judicial system to delay the full hearing of their case. This is something the PH Government cannot do much about without being seen as interfering with justice. It is a price we have to pay if we want to reform the system.
In the last 11 months since being in Government, PH has lost the by- elections of Cameron Highlands and Semenyih. Now with Rantau pending a result, many believe that Malaysians are ditching PH. This is what the current Opposition would want the people to believe. They are race and or religious based parties who are finding grounds for survival after GE13 and anything that comes their way would mean that they are gaining support.
They have not changed. The guys who raped and looted the nation still lead the parties. Their leadership is tainted with corruption and their Vision is so short- sighted that the future of the nation is on a destructive course.
People vote them currently not in support but out of frustration of PH ie not seeing things “change” fast enough. Political parties must not underestimate the Will of the people. They can make and break Governments. Insofar as the Opposition is concerned, so long as the same people are there with the same policies or even more extreme ones, Malaysians will never return to support them. What your parties have done cannot be forgiven.
PH has to become more and more people friendly and be openly concerned for Malaysians’ basic issues. Its your time and please do not screw it up. The new style as expected by the people is a symbiotic relationship with the Government. It is an unwritten covenant and must be honoured by the Government for the future of Malaysians and Malaysia.
Source : V M Chandran
Indie Borneo 