Take a chill pill on racism, religion, Harapan told

Opposition leaders in Penang have given the Pakatan Harapan government several pointers to address in 2020, including taking a "chill pill" on issues that have divided the people.

Among others, these issues include the introduction of the Jawi script in primary schools and the continued presence of controversial preacher Zakir Naik in Malaysia, which clearly show that Malaysians are split according to racial and religious lines.

Speaking to Malaysiakini, Gerakan vice-president Baljit Singh (above) said he wants the Pakatan Harapan government to swallow a chill pill and focus on addressing the rising issues of racism and religious extremism, which he said hampered nation-building.

Baljit said these two issues have divided Malaysians and they have affected government policies and their implementation, resulting in Harapan not being able to fulfil its 14th general election (GE14) promises since May 2018.

"How can the Harapan government fulfil its promises if, at every turn, it is being challenged by racists and extremists?

"The Harapan government should instead provide more space for understanding and discussions on policies and not allow their implementation to be derailed by certain quarters," Baljit added.

Former Umno Pulau Betong assemblyperson Muhammad Farid Saad called on the current ministers to improve on their communication skills and to respect one another's portfolio, instead of issuing conflicting remarks to confuse the people.

Farid said there should not anymore backtrack as it is embarrassing for Malaysia to be deemed as having a "U-turn government".

"Also, stop blaming others or the previous (BN) government for your mistakes," Farid said.

It is time for Harapan to list down its achievements (in fulfilling its election promises) as 2020 should be the coalition's mid-term review.

"This is important if those who supported Harapan in GE14 can prove to the rakyat who do not support Harapan that the government is competent, accountable and transparent," Farid told Malaysiakini.

He then called on ministers who lacked academic credentials to take time to pursue part-time courses.

"So that when GE15 comes around, these ministers can proudly show that they do have the academic credentials they claim to have," Farid said.

He also told the PKR leadership to show good examples, instead of squabbling among themselves as the party, helmed by Anwar Ibrahim, has been under siege by internal factional wars.

"If PKR is stable, so will the country be. This is because the next prime minister is supposed to come from PKR and there should be some sympathies for the man.

"If the people could support him (Anwar Ibrahim) while he was in prison, there should be united support for him now that he is a Member of Parliament. There is no need to ask BN MPs to join their party to strengthen it as it is supposed to be strong," he added.

Farid ended his remarks on a positive note, expressing hope that the economy and ringgit value would appreciate since the cabinet has many advisors, official or otherwise.

"Many foreign investments have come in, which proves that although Malaysia is being governed by the oldest prime minister in the world, he has used his experience well to lead the country and the economy," he said.

Meanwhile, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) called on more elected representatives - whether MPs or assemblypersons - to speak up for the benefit of the people instead of toeing the state government line.

"No more stereotypes or just being the rubber stamp for the state executives. Be real policymakers," PSM committee member and former DAP assemblyperson Teh Yee Cheu (on left in photo above) said.

"For the Penang government, it should, by hook or by crook, honour its promises to restore local government elections as the first priority in 2020," Teh, who was a PSM candidate in Sungai Pinang in GE14, reminded.

"The state should also reconsider its mega-projects, for example, the Penang South Reclamation and Bayan Lepas-Komtar Light Rail Transit system, as they are not sustainable developments and will hurt mother nature," he added. - Mkini