It’s never too early to criticise PH

Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, while campaigning in Tanjung Piai, reportedly asked the people to judge Pakatan Harapan (PH) after five years.

Anwar Ibrahim, too, has said that running a government is not easy, more so as the administration is new and saddled with many “legacy” problems.

I think the people have been very clear and realistic about their complaints.

Firstly, they have never expected the government to change hands before its five-year term is up. Within that term, though, they have every right to criticise and comment on the government’s performance.

When people are unhappy, it’s not just due to a lack of execution of promises and manifestos. They understand that some promises are more difficult to fulfil than others.

The frustration is over the lack of execution of policies and programmes that are long overdue and easily implementable. Sadly, PH has allowed itself to wallow in intrigue, racism, religiosity and bigotry.

Why accuse the opposition of playing racist games when certain parties within PH are also culpable and active participants themselves? The Malay Dignity Congress, for example, would not have gained traction if it had not been attended by PH politicians.

It is the job of Umno/PAS/Barisan Nasional to rant and instigate because they are in the opposition. PH is already in government. The government has in its possession power and resources. It does not have to play along to the antics of the opposition. This is what responsible governing is all about.

The 14th general election gave PH a sufficient working majority to change the nation’s trajectory. But what did we get? Instead of trusting and working among friends within the coalition, some chose to solicit and work with enemies without.

There is one more thing that has riled up the people: while we understand if PH is unable to solve all the problems inherited from the previous administration, it is important for it to remember that it has also created many of its own due to the lack of resolve, procrastination, and pandering to unreasonable sectarian demands.

Politicians going around Tanjung Piai these days should know by now the complaints and frustrations of the people – if they are discerning enough. Politicians who were smart when they were in the opposition cannot suddenly become dumb the moment they join the government.

TK Chua is an FMT reader.