KOTA KINABALU: Malaysia’s week-long political turmoil has taken a toll on the people to the point that trust in politicians is at an all-time low, analysts said.
Universiti Malaysia Sarawak deputy dean Arnold Puyok said the people are getting tired of politics and politicians because of the protracted crisis last week.
“Some have doubts about the functions of representative democracy. Others simply vowed not to vote in the coming elections.
“I think trust in politicians is at an all-time low. Politics is probably the most hated profession at the moment,” he told FMT.
The Pakatan Harapan government collapsed last week, following Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s resignation as prime minister, after a group of MPs broke ranks to form Perikatan Nasional comprising PPBM, Barisan Nasional, PAS and PKR MPs aligned to their former deputy president, Mohamed Azmin Ali.
Critics have described the new ruling coalition as a back door government as it comprises BN, which was ousted in the last general election, and other parties.
Puyok said forming a government through the “back door” was not illegal or unconstitutional.
“It is also happening in some countries. It is, however, seen as morally inappropriate as it is not established through the people’s mandate.
“Ours is obviously a case of power struggle that came about as a result of the unclear succession plan between Mahathir and (PKR president) Anwar Ibrahim,” he said.
Sabah UiTM’s Tony Paridi Bagang said one could not ignore the condemnations online after the eventual outcome of the political crisis.
“Many Malaysians, especially those who voted for PH in the last elections, are dismayed. The political drama had confused the rakyat. Some netizens became keyboard warriors to voice out their disappointment.
“There have also been images and caricatures mocking what had taken place,” he said.
Bagang said the people’s anger was not only directed at the new government but also the previous one.
“There are a lot of reasons why people are upset. Among them is PH’s failure to maintain solidarity within the coalition.
“And, of course, BN and PAS saw this as an opportunity when PH collapsed,” he said.
He said what frustrated people, particularly those who had a hand in PH’s GE14 victory, even more was that the crisis occurred at the highest level among the political elites, adding they could not do anything about it but just watch helplessly.
“Finally, Muhyiddin Yassin was appointed prime minister and many people expressed their disappointment as if this is the end of the road,” he said.
Bagang said there was talk that MPs siding with Mahathir were planning a vote of no confidence against Muhyiddin in Parliament.
“But for me, we have to move forward. We should support whoever the prime minister or government is, especially in helping our country recover economically and also to address the Covid-19 infection.
“There have no doubt been negative perceptions about politicians, but not all politicians cannot be trusted. What has happened should be an eye-opener and reminder to politicians not to play with people’s trust,” he said. – FREE MALAYSIA TODAY
End the unscrupulous politics before pro-Malaysian policies are harmed — Nurul Izzah Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR — Much political turmoil shook us all this past week. It is now quickly descending into an unscrupulous blame game. This has to stop. Granted, the shock and outrage has not fully subsided. But it is exactly in this hour of need that we must reflect on what’s most important.
I was fortunate enough to have received the mandate from the people of Permatang Pauh as a legislator, on that fateful day on 9th May 2018.
Clearly, the people’s mandate must always reign supreme.
And ultimately, this should be our guiding principle regardless of whether we are in government or in Opposition.
Late December 2018, I made the decision to exit the mainstream political scene and focus on my reform-based initiatives on the ground in Permatang Pauh.
We were making headway with our methadone in mosques — psycho-socio-spiritual Jakim-approved programs for heroin addicts. We were about to embark on our multidimensional poverty index ground survey with Malaysia’s foremost poverty expert & economist Prof Fatimah Kari, and continue our collaborations with the Prison Department’s reform agenda — targeting 75 per cent of eligible, non violent criminals to be absorbed in corrective community programs — ensuring rehab efforts bear fruit. We fervently wanted to introduce pesticide-free precision farming — an endeavour that requires huge financial investment in existing green houses — with a ready target in international markets — to safeguard Malaysian food security and protect our farmers. We also of course want to see an eventual end to cervical cancer, especially amongst women in the lower income household, by collaborating with ROSE Foundation of University Malaya!
My fear is that in the ongoing political turmoil, these on the ground, these socially impactful projects, might be derailed.
These are evidence based initiatives and must be fully politics-proof.
Regardless of who is in office, we as collective Malaysian stakeholders must join in a call to action that ensures governments, including the likes of powerful Secretary-Generals that wield much authority across ministries, maintain the policies and programmes which have the most benefit and impact for communities on the ground.
Of the many interactions I have had, the ones that have made the most lasting impact are those involving the best of Malaysian minds, coupled with their fortitude to realise workable and concrete solutions to assist the most vulnerable in our communities. Protection of those without access to basic public services, infrastructure, and opportunities is paramount.
Addicts require treatment. The Cure and Care Clinics throughout Malaysia must continue their operations. Those who are deprived must receive targeted assistance through better measurement of poverty; eventually engaged and empowered. Prison reforms must also continue to be supported.
If there is a key lesson to be learned in all of this, it is not to forget those who are so easily forgotten.
Please join me in remembering and helping those that need it most: to push for policies that are evidence-based and politics-proof to help those unable to help themselves achieve mobility while simultaneously empowering talents everywhere.
All Malaysians need better access to quality healthcare, education, economic empowerment that enable them to improve their own lives and those of their families & communities.
Don’t sow hatred and enmity; let us instead expand and grow our tolerance of one another especially in times of division. If the government of the day is reflective of its people, then let us ensure that it is our values they truly reflect.
I shall continue supporting my Keadilan leadership and colleagues — specifically to do our best in preserving our ideals and credibility by purging treacherous elements from our midst. Now more than ever must we rebuild the party from within, to uphold the principles we claim to embody.
Kedailan is the vehicle that allowed us to realise our reform ideals based on the principles of fairness, justice and equal opportunity — forming the basis of my work in the constituencies I have had the honour to represent.
We must continue to preserve our credibility through our work, our programmes, initiatives and policies. – MALAY MAIL
* Nurul Izzah Anwar is the elected representative for Permatang Pauh.
FREE MALAYSIA TODAY / MALAY MAIL
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