Time to stop putting people on a pedestal

Malaysians should stop treating PH leaders like they can do no wrong, and instead hold them accountable on their promised reforms.

COMMENT

By TK Chua

I know it has been less than 100 days, but I think it is better for me to say this earlier rather than later: People in power really behave differently compared to the time when they were seeking power.

Before PH Kool-Aid drinkers accuse me of anything, I just want to state that I am not here to compare PH with what Umno/BN did in the past. That is the least of my worries now. I am here to look at PH as it is.

To begin with, Malaysians must wake up from their trance and stop treating Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Anwar Ibrahim, Lim Guan Eng, Muhyiddin Yassin and Mohamad Sabu like demigods. Malaysians must stop heaping them with praise as if they can do no wrong. Malaysians must also stop criticising others who may want to point out PH’s present shortcomings. I would prefer that we Malaysians remained vigilant rather than gullible.

At least Mahathir has realised that he will not remain popular forever. I think the same must apply to other ministers and leaders. We, the people, must stop hoisting these leaders up on a pedestal. In this regard, I would prefer that we stop running the story that Mat Sabu is simple and humble, or that Anthony Loke does not like protocol. It is almost nauseating already. We should let time to do the talking.

Have we realised that we are back to the same old mentality again? Yes, everything is: “This is the prerogative of the PM”, “The PM has decided”, “We shall leave it to the PM” and “The PM has directed so”. Was this not how and why some of our former prime ministers became monstrous? Everyone is now competing to yield power to the already powerful prime minister. Nonsensical, really.

The victory of PH in the general election was in no small measure due to the efforts and sacrifices of many of our young Turks. We should not forget people like Rafizi Ramli, Tian Chua, Tony Pua, Khalid Samad and many others who have highlighted so many pertinent issues and who risk personal liberty in the course of doing so.

It has been more than a month since the election and we still do not have a full Cabinet. Is this because the leadership has suffered cold feet over who to reward?

Look, the people expect those who contributed and those who are capable to be appointed as ministers holding portfolios that are able to make a difference in the country.

I think it is a mistake to appoint ministers based purely on party seniority or hierarchy. PH should appoint ministers based on capability and dynamism. The seniors in the party can keep watch on the performance of the younger ones who are appointed ministers. Lim Kit Siang is a good example of this. This is what real “reformasi” is all about, not doing more of the same, again and again.

I am sorry to say, I think some of the bigger and more important ministries have remained as lethargic as ever. I don’t feel the oomph and the dynamism thus far.

I don’t think we can build a new Malaysia based on old people and “insiders” leading and populating our ministries, reform panels and committees. Are they reforming or just changing guards?

I am not directing this letter to Mahathir per se. He is old, but I think he is very up-to-date and very contemporary in his thinking. However, I have my concerns over many others who are younger in age but older in mentality.

TK Chua is an FMT reader.