Change will be a slow, painful process

There has been no shortage of drama since the Pakatan Harapan won GE14. But as events unfold, I believe many of us rooting for change from the sidelines have begun to see that this change will be a slow, painful process.

It is also fraught with uncertainties, and the Malaysia which we hope will be more free, fair, just, democratic and civil is as yet uncertain.

It is obvious there's a lot of horse-trading going on as in the formation of the cabinet. Even the so-called Mahathir's inner circle of three key cabinet posts is ensnared in much controversy and a lot of it has racial overtones.

Perhaps, there is some truth that there may be legal hurdles in the swearing-in of Lim Guan Eng (no legal eagle has weighed in, as yet) but the opposition seems more deeprooted than that.

PKR will do well to remember the platform upon which the change of GE14 was obtained.

Once in power, Bersatu (and to a lesser extent PKR) seems dead set upon sweeping up all the “frogs” from Umno who will jump from the sinking ship.

This is a betrayal of the spirit of change that the rakyat was set on in the run-up to GE14. I can see Bersatu's motivations - trying to add up the MPs and assemblypersons' scorecards - and perhaps be in a stronger bargaining position for state and federal posts.

I believe many of us have hoped the GE14 win will really see the dawn of a new era where the racial card will recede into the background and individuals of integrity and tested abilities will be called to serve our nation. Well, the jury is still out on this.

No, I am not splitting hairs - I can see there's been a movement to honour some of the campaign promises. The head of the MACC is gone. The AG has been put on immediate leave.

Najib and Rosmah have been barred from leaving the country. Zunar's travel ban has been lifted. I am signing off this piece with my name instead of using a pseudonym.

Anwar is set to be given a full pardon on Wednesday. Hopefully, with Anwar Ibrahim able to participate fully in our country's political process, we'll see a more united front as we face the challenges ahead.

Opportunity seldom knocks twice - we must not go back to the Umnoputra ways. A new path must be charted! -Mkini