People have not changed

Another by-election defeat, another cock-and-bull story from Pakatan Harapan leaders. I am sorry, this is my take.

Let me see, it was due to voters not sufficiently embracing Harapan yet. It was people having high expectation from the government.

If Malaysians had not embraced Harapan, I wonder how May 9, 2018 happened. 

All I know was BN was roundly defeated from Peninsular Malaysia to Sabah and Sarawak. Today, almost two years after the historic victory, suddenly we are reminded that we have not sufficiently embraced Harapan. Where did this come from? Is this a cruel joke or what?

Then we have the excuse that people are expecting more from the government.

Look, I think Malaysians are very reasonable people. We never expect much from the government other than those promised to us. We actually never expect unfettered freedom or liberty other than hoping that the government will make right the injustices inflicted over the years. But what do we see today?

The people have embraced change and reforms a long time ago, long before the 14th general election. It is politicians, after gaining power, suddenly experiencing cold feet or are now beholden to vested interests.

They are unwilling to do what was promised to the people. Not only that, in many instances, they are, in fact, doing the opposite of what was promised.

When the people show their displeasure, all Harapan does is to provide excuses, from the deep state, sabotage, insufficient time to inherited baggage and problems from the previous administration. What baloney, is scheming and plotting by component parties of Harapan to outdo and outsmart each other an inherited problem?

Harapan is incapable of reform because it is weak and feeble due to disunity and power struggle among the component parties. While Harapan is busily indulging in infighting, the oppositions and extremists are having a field day instigating and promoting hatred among the people.

Right now, Harapan is still together because of the trappings of power. But it is difficult to imagine the coalition is still sharing the common aspiration. There is now a second thought on inclusive and liberal Malaysia, a theme which Harapan adopted during the 14th general election.

Dissension and division among Harapan component parties as well as within each party, propelled mainly by personal ambition and the fear of certain leaders assuming core leadership in the country, are now very clear.

When so much time, energy and concentration is spent on manoeuvring and plotting, who would really care for reforms and real work?

Do we seriously think the sex video or sexual assault allegation will not affect the performance of the minister or the leader concerned?

Do we seriously think the policy intent of Harapan, particularly those pertaining to concessions, contracts and GLCs has not shifted since gaining power?

I think people have not changed. It is Harapan government that has changed.  - Mkini