Let’s celebrate another peaceful transfer of power

 

The GE15 suspense is finally over. There’ll be more drama down the road, certainly, part of the “Long GE15” syndrome, but let’s worry about those events later.

For a few weeks during campaigning our politicians were for once blissfully authentic, showing their true selves – politicos begging people for power using whatever pretexts they think will work. It was both fun and sad to watch.

But now, let’s celebrate another peaceful transfer of power, one without the Machiavellian intrigues of GE14, the comedy of the US and UK’s recent transfers of power, or the tragedies of some other countries.

This is the biggest legacy of GE14. We messily, but peacefully, transferred power when for decades we didn’t think that could ever be possible.

We now don’t have to shudder at the thought of kicking out one batch of politicians to put in another. We should treat these politicians as if they’re baby diapers – change them when they get dirty.

We Malaysians have always shown that when you think it’s all lost, we’ll pull back from the brink. Long may we always pull back from the brink, and may we no longer ever approach the brink to make that necessary.

For ‘brother’ Anwar, a long time coming

Congratulations are in order for Anwar Ibrahim for becoming prime minister. It’s been a long time coming.

Some people think Anwar and I are brothers. Our names are similar, we’re both sons of Ibrahim, we’re both from Penang (I’m island-born – must mention that), both good looking (though I’m clearly ahead here), and both have been punched in the face for what we believe in.

That last part may not be true. I’m smarter than my “brother” by not saying stuff that people don’t like (well, not much anyway), and I stay out of confined spaces with people who have anger management issues.

My lawyers Hantam & Suethem and Ass are sending a cease-and-desist letter to Anwar to stop him from claiming that he’s my brother and issue a public apology and statutory declaration to that effect, and if he hasn’t been making such claims, to explain why not.

Our hardworking King

My congratulations and gratitude also to our Yang di-Pertuan Agong for steering the Malaysian ship of state safely through treacherous and unprecedented political storms, and facilitating what is the best decision for the country.

If people had thought being the King was easy, think again. Never has the King been asked to work so hard to help resolve political situations as over the last few years. It explains why our Kings have to go on shift rotation every five years!

With the Sabah ruling coalition (parties!) and other one-MP parties joining the bigger coalitions, you get a mind-boggling number of political parties in the PH-led government, something that’ll terrorise our children’s history tests for decades to come.

Fear tactics that worked

Two major trends appeared to have driven the votes in GE15, and the subsequent events.

The work done by the previous two post-Sheraton Move governments has shown results. They’ve seared the anti-Chinese sentiment in the minds of many Malays, often aided and abetted by DAP, albeit unwittingly.

Conjuring a political bogeyman using race and religion here worked and brought huge support for the PN coalition, especially for PAS. They’ll scream more of the same especially if the new government tries to be Malaysian – rather than just Malay-centric.

Incompetent and inept

This agenda also allows for glossing over the fact that the last two governments were some of the most incompetent and inept we’ve ever had run the country.

During the pandemic our ship was steered by deckhands, and not captains. Luckily we had a few good hands (and brains) – you know who they are – or else we’d have sunk.

The old governments spent money like there’s no tomorrow, incurring debts our children will have to pay. Now we must hope the new one can earn money too, or we’re sunk.

The backlash

The other trend shows race politics can only go so far. The strident Ketuanan Melayu rhetoric created a backlash from many non-Malays and East Malaysians, enough to thwart the ambitions of its proponents.

Hopefully this will bring trust in the democratic process again. While one side can always count on fanatical support (when you offer heaven for voting you…), the other side tends to despair more easily. Perhaps this will raise their hopes, and hence our long-term future too.

Now that the drama is over, the King, the other rulers and the rest of us can go back to what was once described by Bill Shankly, the legendary Liverpool Football Club manager, as more important than life or death – football! Bring on the World Cup!

Who pays for paid holidays?

But while I’m happy with many things, I’ve one disagreement with the prime minister. I’d have to say “Hey Bro (no family connection intended), why lah declare a public holiday?” I know it’s popular, but we’ve to move away from this silly practice.

Putting money into the salary earners’ pockets without good reasons means taking money from the other people’s pockets. While some may come out from the rich ones, much will also come out from those who’re poor and can’t join in the fun of paid public holidays.

So, Bro (again, no family connection intended), here is what I think about such public holidays.

If you really do need to declare public holidays, declare that general election days will henceforth be public holidays, so that we won’t have to wonder any more.

Exception is only when we win the World Cup of course! - FMT

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