Who says we can’t question the government?

 

I saw a social media post on an acquaintance’s page showing a photograph of him standing next to our prime minister. He added this caption to the post: “Why am I not proud of this picture anymore?”

His post garnered likes, laughs and comments. Some comments were humorous, whilst others were just expressing their disappointment with the PM. But I was especially intrigued by one comment.

In that post, someone responded by asking why that caption for the picture with the PM was written. He argued that he had a nomadic life but found that Malaysia still is the most affordable and beautiful place with kind and hospitable people. This person added that recently he had a dialogue with representatives from a large multinational, and they had nothing but praise for the country. So, he wondered why my acquaintance had a different opinion.

I suppose the commenter has a valid point, notwithstanding his own admission of being a “nomad”, which could mean that his understanding of the concept and construct of Malaysia may be slightly skewed.

Many people I know still believe that Malaysia is more affordable and beautiful than many other countries in the world. Our people, when devoid of race and religion, are arguably one of the most hospitable on the planet.

And, it appears that foreign executives take an exceptional liking to the living conditions in Malaysia. We all see them regularly in shopping malls, at watering holes, and in eateries. So naturally, it must be a great place to live, right? I think so too. I continue to live in Malaysia, because it’s a lovely country.

Then why are so many people taking to the streets to protest, and to social media to keep lambasting PMX and his motley crew government?

It seems like Malaysians are an ungrateful lot. In fact, often, I notice when the PM is delivering his speeches or declaring something, he laces what he says with a large dose of sarcasm, alluding to this.

Our PM is a highly accomplished orator with phenomenal charisma, and self-effacing humour. When he speaks, he charms his audience as a gifted wordsmith. Over the decades that he has been in public life, his greatest strength has been his ability to connect with any audience and get the requisite “buy-in” from them.

Perhaps herein lies the problem with our collective relationship with our PM.

He’s been absolutely brilliant at convincing us over the years that he is the right person to bring much needed reforms to our nation as we move forward. At every opportunity, his clarion call, which united Malaysians of all walks of life, and from all races, was focused on reforms. His ideas for reform were wide, multifaceted, and generally well received.

But finally, when he attained his own dream of becoming the leader of our nation, it feels like he’s only focused on that, just staying on as PM. His reform agenda has taken a back seat, having been the fulcrum of his stand during the years he was in prison, and in opposition.

Of course, sycophants will argue that he cannot push through with the reforms he promised because he has had to, literally, “sleep with the enemy” and form the strangest of strange coalitions, just to stay in power.

But ordinary Malaysians who were once mesmerised by his magnetism, loquaciousness, and his thespian-like ability to reel-in his audience, are now realising that once he got the top job, he turned out to be just another run-of-the-mill politician. He does not seem to have the political will to initiate the reforms he assured.

Where is the “renaissance man” that was advertised?

So, I reckon it’s okay if we “complain” that we are unhappy with the state of Malaysia. Raising our concerns, vexing and venting our frustrations, and demanding for the promised reforms, does not mean that we love our country less, does it? Or does expressing disappointment with our PM make us less patriotic?

The PM’s sycophants should take a “chill pill” and show some maturity. When they were in power, and commentators and columnists like me wrote opinion pieces questioning the former government, these fellows were all our best friends. They would congratulate us for “standing up” for ordinary folks.

Today, when we question the current government, the same sycophants and politicians unfriend us, and walk on eggshells when they are around us. Like only a Malaysian would ask: “…how can like that one?”

This government must show that they are different from the former jamokes. But unfortunately, it just feels like it is the same old, same old.

So, yes, Malaysia is beautiful, relatively affordable, and we are a fabulous race of people. But the day we stop questioning our PM and his government is the day we cross the Rubicon towards a spiralling downward slide for the nation.

Questioning the government or expressing displeasure towards our PM does not make us less Malaysian. Instead, it demonstrates that we actually care about our country, because we want it to improve.

It is a darn sight better than being a sycophantic brown noser who “kowtows” to whoever happens to be in power. We all know some people and politicians like this, right? - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.