YOURSAY | Caveat emptor on PM’s promises of reform

 

YOURSAY | ‘Malaysians should welcome them with two conditions…’

Cabinet agrees to 7 reforms for ensuring political stability

BusinessFirst: I think this is all a ploy by Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob to stall for time. Action speaks louder than words. His acts so far?

1. Retain almost all the past ministers.
2. Strange 'new evidence' has led to cases being withdrawn.
3. Former PM Muhyiddin Yassin is back to help with the pandemic response despite leading Malaysia to rock bottom in the battle against Covid-19 (with ministerial rank too).
4. Najib is back to help with the economy despite 1MDB and a conviction (perhaps with ministerial rank too).
5. House speaker and attorney-general are still around, and the motion to replace the speaker is not going to see the light of day.
6. Motion of confidence not in sight.
7. A man from the court cluster nominated for the deputy speaker post.

So far, the PM has not done anything that indicates he wants reforms. And from experience, we have learnt their words fall far short of their actions.

The Wakandan: They didn’t want reforms. They are happy as it is with the status quo.

The only reason reforms are taken up now is because it is a popular issue; at least Pakatan Harapan could win the election on this platform.

It's pure politics - of survival and robbing Harapan of its political ammunition.

Undecided: It may not be exactly what the opposition had hoped for; nevertheless, the uncertainties resulting from a hung parliament in GE15 and the "frog dealing" that is bound to follow can be avoided if the reforms are successful.

Speculating whether the offer is sincere is not going to result in anything positive.

MS: Since it is the season to talk about reforms, let me throw in the following:

Leadership appointments in all enforcement and regulatory agencies be subject to scrutiny and approval of a bipartisan parliamentary committee with the powers to review their performance and act accordingly.

Two words: caveat emptor.

ScarletPanda9731: It is laudable and commendable that the government has reforms to be tabled in Parliament and all Malaysians should welcome them with two conditions to test the sincerity of its intentions.

1. Will they be tabled immediately?
2. Will they, once tabled and approved, be implemented post-haste?

I ask these questions based on past situations.

Two years ago, Parliament approved Undi18; and yet, the government and the Election Commission (EC) did not immediately implement them.

Now, the High Court in Sarawak and Sabah ordered that this implementation be done by the end of this year. It appears that the authorities agreed to move on the issue only after a court order.

Why, for heaven's sake, must brave youngsters go through the hassle of bringing this matter to the High Court before action is taken?

And why should Pejuang's application for registration be rejected in the first place and why should Dr Mahathir Mohamad have to go to court to force the home minister and the Registrar of Societies (ROS) to approve the party’s registration?

Now, Muda is also being given the run-around. The party has yet to get its registration. Why can’t the government, through the home minister and the ROS, do their jobs professionally?

Such an attitude leaves a bad taste in the mouth. The ROS should not be used for political ends. The registrar must do his job professionally.

Now, comes the most heart-sickening problem. Sabah and Sarawak have signed the Malaysia Agreement in 1963. Has the agreement been fully implemented?

Fifty-eight years later, the people of Sabah and Sarawak are still waiting.

BobbyO: For 60 years, the ruling party have been promising many changes, but yet they have failed to proceed to carry them through.

Now that the equation in Parliament between the ruling coalition is fragile, they want to try and get support by offering the changes.

When BN had a supermajority in Parliament, why were these changes not carried out?

The opposition should tread carefully as these changes are good for the nation. The question is whether Perikatan Nasional (PN) is sincere. What is the real agenda behind all these?

Is it because when it comes to important decisions, they need the support of the opposition?

If they do not get certain decisions through Parliament, it could mean the end of the ruling government, and the nation will have to face the need to find a new PM or have general elections.

P Ramlee: Pakatan Harapan MPs, the court cluster is in control now, so don't be fooled.

Look at how the graft cases are progressing and the way the convicts are being treated by this administration.

Continue to show your resistance in the Parliament while preparing for the Sarawak state election. I believe you have a convincing story to tell Sarawakians why they should ditch GPS and pick Harapan instead.

Tiger in the Jungle: There is no time frame when these reforms will be enacted. In the other words, these are aspirations for the gullible to swallow. - Mkini