Let’s give Ismail Sabri a chance – for now

 

From Xavier Ong

I refer to the letter “PN? BN? Who cares? We’re worrying about the pandemic here” (FMT Aug 23). I agree with the writer and want to be honest here: I am no fan of Perikatan Nasional, much less Umno. But I am also a realist.

The fact of the matter is that Umno has now reclaimed the prime ministership after more than three years since it was booted out of Putrajaya after the 2018 general election.

Its vice-president and now the country’s ninth Prime Minister, Ismail Sabri Yaakob, is holding on to power with a slim four-seat majority in the Dewan Rakyat. Given his tenuous hold on power, do we want another round of politicking like the one we just saw that culminated in the ouster of his predecessor, Muhyiddin Yassin?

We are now faced with an unprecedented crisis. On top of a worsening Covid-19 pandemic which saw over 1.5 million infections and over 14,000 deaths, we have to contend with an economy on a downward spiral. Can we afford more political instability that will distract us from tackling this double whammy?

The answer is we cannot, There are literally lives at stake while Covid-19 variants like Delta wreak havoc on our healthcare. Tens of thousands, if not more, are finding it a problem to put food on the table, due to the restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The last thing we need is another round of political horse-trading that at best, will distract the government from managing the crises, and at worst, cause yet another downfall of a prime minister who has yet to warm his seat. We have wasted enough time with the endless and senseless politicking already.

Tired of the unending politicking

All I am trying to say is this: For now, let’s set aside our political differences and throw our support behind the government. If the government has done wrong, let’s offer our constructive criticisms, and let’s give credit where it is due.

There is no need to get overly worked up, because if we do so, it will only incentivise political opportunists to push for their personal agendas, including a change in government.

I also hope that the opposition will reciprocate the offer made by Ismail Sabri to take a more active role in governance, by being part of the National Recovery Council and the Special Committee on Covid-19. There is a time for politicking, and that time has passed.

As a voter, I am already tired of the unending politicking that has engulfed this country since the “Sheraton Move”, and which gathered momentum again about two months ago.

Let’s give this PM a chance for now. He has been striking all the right notes like calling us his “Malaysian Family”, offering an olive branch to the opposition and hitting the ground running by visiting the flood victims in Yan, Kedah.

Of course, it is too soon to assess his administration. But it is not too late to stop the pointless politicking that has sapped up our energy and resources. Let’s keep that for the next general election. - FMT

Xavier Ong is an FMT reader.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.