Leadership is 'do as I do', not 'do as I say'

 

YOURSAY | ‘If the government lacks the resolve, why should the rakyat listen?’

PMO economist pushes mindful consumption as conflict hits 100-day mark

Anonymous 1601: An economic adviser to the Prime Minister’s Office has recommended that the rakyat practise more responsible consumer habits as the West Asia conflict, which has raised concerns about a global economic crisis, reaches its 100-day mark today.

Leadership is always by example. It is always, “Do as I do,” not “Do what I tell you to do.”

Economic adviser Nurhisham Hussein, if you want the rakyat to listen to what you are saying, start by:

1. Removing all outriders for politicians, including Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

2. Stopping all department directors from being chauffeur-driven.

3. Cutting parking and mobile phone allowances for all politicians.

4. Setting the air-conditioning temperature in all government buildings at 24°C, except hospitals and health clinics.

5. Removing pensions for MPs who did not meet the minimum service requirement of 240 months.

6. Recovering all logistics, food, and lodging allowances paid for Anwar’s entourage during the 39 overseas trips that yielded little benefit.

7. Slashing allowances for MPs and senators, as well as pensions for retired politicians and ministers, by half.

8. Switching off all digital displays and large billboard advertisements after 9pm.

If you dare to implement these eight measures, I will salute you. But if even one is not carried out, then I am of the opinion that you are merely an empty vessel, spewing verbal diarrhoea just like your boss.

I am very sure you will not be able to implement even one of them. That tells me you are yet another redundant deadwood who has spent the last 25 to 30 years drawing a salary for little value.

Pink Jaguar 7289: The government may have taken supply-side measures, but its call for “mindful consumption” remains unproven without a visible scorecard.

A government cannot tell millions of households to adjust their behaviour and then fail to show whether that behaviour has actually changed.

Where are the 100-day figures on fuel saved, electricity reduced, water consumption lowered, food waste cut and subsidy leakages stopped?

In a crisis, slogans must become statistics. Otherwise, “responsible consumption” sounds less like national mobilisation and more like political cushioning.

Fellow Malaysian: This economist is asking the rakyat to be thrifty, but the Madani government refuses to acknowledge that one of the biggest culprits when it comes to profligate spending is Anwar himself.

The Budi RON95 programme is costing the government billions, yet what has the Madani administration done to mitigate this burden?

Nothing, apart from reducing the subsidy limit from 300 litres to 200 litres.

Has this feeble measure helped reduce petrol consumption? I have not seen any government data published.

Anwar also retreated from his earlier push to remove fuel subsidies for the T20 group after Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin raised concerns over the proposal.

He does not appear to have the resolve to make the wealthy pay market rates for fuel. This shows weakness in leadership.

If the government itself lacks the resolve to compel behavioural change, why should the rakyat follow the advice being offered here?

HJ Angus: Here is one example of a mindful change. Drive past any popular food outlet in your area. What is the most common traffic hazard?

Cars parked haphazardly, double-parked or even triple-parked, sometimes reducing the road to a single lane.

Often, there are parking spaces within 100m, but inconsiderate motorists refuse to walk.

Why not walk 200m to the shop instead of driving? It kills two birds with one stone: you get some exercise and reduce your petrol bill.

Small behavioural changes, when adopted by large numbers of people, can have a significant cumulative effect. If consumers are genuinely being asked to be more mindful, then this should start with practical and achievable steps rather than grand slogans.

Malaysian Malaysian: Well said.

Mr Economist, whose salary is paid by taxpayers, perhaps you should first advise those benefiting from public office - whether through salaries, contracts, family connections, or associates - to heed your words.

Then the rakyat might consider listening to your advice.

The public is more likely to accept calls for sacrifice when they see leaders and those in positions of influence making similar sacrifices. Without that, such advice risks being viewed as detached from reality.

JKT: Why did you impose such high taxes on electric vehicles (EVs)?

Where are the charging stations?

Australia is importing thousands of EVs from China to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Just admit it.

You have never been capable of running the country. Self-interest comes before the interests of the rakyat.

If policymakers are serious about reducing fuel consumption and encouraging responsible spending, then they should be investing more aggressively in alternatives that reduce dependence on petrol and diesel.

Traveloka Winning: There are always two sides to the same coin.

“Be mindful of spending” on the consumer side translates into lower revenue on the business side. Less business activity means a slowing economy.

Governments also rely heavily on taxes from business activity. Lower business revenue means lower government revenue, which in turn means less spending on infrastructure.

That leads to even less economic activity and weaker consumer spending, creating a downward economic spiral.

Does this economist know what he is talking about?

OrangeMouse0421: By all accounts, it appears that the Madani government is slowing the nation’s economic wheels, whether through its own actions or through the effects of its cost-cutting measures.

Yet one of the first things this government did was penalise constituencies represented by opposition MPs by denying them equal constituency allocations and funding.

Surely the wrath of God is around the corner, if not already here, for such an injustice.

The Malay community, despite being the majority group in Malaysia, has also been badly and unfairly treated by this Madani government.

Many voters expected a more inclusive administration that would govern fairly regardless of political affiliation.

Instead, the perception among some is that political considerations continue to outweigh the interests of ordinary citizens.

Wayang: I do not know whom to believe.

The prime minister and finance minister, Anwar, says everything is under control, fuel subsidies will continue, and the public should remain calm.

Yet this Prime Minister’s Office economist is telling people to be more mindful and responsible in their spending, comparing the current situation to the period just before Covid-19 struck.

These messages appear contradictory. If the situation is stable, there is little reason for concern. If caution is required, then the government should clearly explain the challenges ahead and the measures being considered.

Mixed signals only create uncertainty and confusion among the public.  - Mkini