Idris Jala, Pemandu

I wonder if Malaysians are facing a dilemma on who to support politically. 

On one hand, you have the Barisan Nasional, more so Umno, who has been in power for more than 50 years. By any account, they have delivered some measure of prosperity. Malaysia is a decent place to live and work in but when you compare Malaysia's performance to South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore, Barisan Nasional's record is pathetic. We are rich in natural resources and there is no reason why we should be far behind these countries, work culture aside. Money has been squandered on wasteful projects, ministers of questionable calibre are appointed, lackadaisical attitude of civil servants tolerated - look no further to theAuditor General's report, ugliest campaign ads to promote Malaysia, the Cattlegate affair, and dodgy defence equipment purchases. The decision to revert back to Bahasa Malaysia in teaching Math and Science is the straw that breaks the camel's back. For too long, we have put up with second rate policies by the government and misplaced priorities. Instead of building the tallest building and launching a national car (thus going against the likes of the US and Japan), we should be spending money on the most important thing - the people. Due to gross mismanagement of our finances, we've had to do things like cut back on scholarships. I rather have the greatest university and the smartest people in the country than the tallest building.  

The alternative is Pakatan Rakyat whom at first seems to be a credible opposition force. DAP's Lim Guan Eng seems to have done an impressive job in Penang and is said likely to retain control. Some PKR politicians have yet to prove that it is not a spin-off of Umno while PAS and its Islamic agenda is scary. Islamic principles may be based on a noble way of life, but it has not been proven to be a governance system that works - no disrespect to the religion.

What we need is a third force that has strong moral leadership.  

For now, is the bright spot, Pemandu? It's not a political party but a unit under the Prime Minister's department tasked with the responsibility of getting more investments into Malaysia and transforming the civil service. The people who work there seem to mean well but they face an uphill battle reversing the rot that has set in for the past 20 years. Idris Jala is the man of the hour.

- The Laughing Tigress