Can Anwar unite the country as one people?

 

Let us not throw stones at Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his team.

Haven’t we wasted enough time to get to this stage? Nor should we be disappointed with the slow pace of reform, and show our impatience like how we did in 2018/2019.

For over 60 years, we have suffered from bad management, a failure to have checks and balances, a lack of enforcement, and abuse of political power. We cannot undo these in a matter of months. It would take several years, but we can at least make a head start now.

Are some of us prepared to adopt a different mindset than before? If the majority of the population thinks that the reforms are against their best interests, they will reject any form of change anyway.

Some of the reforms that several sectors of the public expect of Anwar are shared below. They are from a diverse group, including Bumiputeras, from different professions and of varying ages.

• Fulfill the complete manifesto and the promises made in GE15 – Student studying overseas.
• The country can only move forward if Cabinet and GLC appointments are based purely on meritocracy. This is true reformasi. I am fed-up of seeing ‘kayu’ (wood) as ministers or those in charge of GLCs. Disgraceful! – Businessman.
• Check the quality of academics in our universities and get rid of stupid, self-righteous lecturers who are intellectually deficient. – Former member of the diplomatic corps.
• Anwar should focus on education, health and infrastructure (roads, water supply, electricity) in the rural areas. Focus on governance to make the government more accountable so that most things will fall into place. – Sarawak accountant.
• Malaysia is in a precarious situation. If Anwar can keep (the nation) steady and stable, and work on his stated principles with conviction, he can achieve meaningful progress in nation building. – Professor in a local university.
• Start an investigation against Muhyiddin Yassin, then allow cases involving the court clusters to proceed. Anwar pledged to reduce the size of the Cabinet and introduce a diverse, competent group in his administration. No point rushing his inclusion policies, but he must manage the root-and-branch transformation slowly but steadily. – Hotelier.
• Invest, improve education and regulate the religious schools. – Ipoh lawyer.
• Anwar or his people should spend time to understand the situation and sentiments of the Sarawak people. He should not depend on the (views of the) few MPs. My wild dream is to cut Sarawak PH loose, so that they can form an independent block and challenge GPS. – Sarawak farmer.
• Do the right and fair thing for all the rakyat; bring justice to those who ripped off the people; be transparent in governing; zero tolerance for corruption; and improve our economy. – Charity worker.
• Meritocracy and equality for all Malaysians. Anwar must end the Ketuanan Melayu mentality and affirmative action policies.  After more than 50 years, this has only benefited a small group of Malays, and has made people more corrupt and greedy. These are also against the tenets of Islam.” – Engineer.
• I only have a few requests: independent attorney-general and MACC chief, independently appointed judges, no interference with the judiciary. Religion should also be separated from politics. – Developer.
• I would like a clean government and equality for all races, an improved economy, and the removal of the 30% + Bumiputera equity for all businesses, local and foreign. – Nurse.
• I would like to see equal treatment for all Malaysians, but Anwar needs to work slowly as there are several pitfalls along the way. The non-Malay partners in the government must be patient. Let him complete at least one year. By then, his record may be able to speak for itself. I believe he is a good man. He went through hell, but did not surrender. His family may prove to be his ‘Waterloo’ of sorts. – Retired surgeon.
• Make sure our transport system is improved and connected so that everyone can have easy access to conduct their daily lives and need not find reasons to own a vehicle. – Head of NGO dealing with women’s issues.
• Be fair to all races, especially the underdogs like the poor Indians and the Orang Asli. There are many poor Malays and Chinese as well, and I think Anwar knows that already. -Veterinarian.
• Restore fully and sincerely what was promised to us in MA63. – Sabah religious leader.
• Anwar must unite the country as one people.” – Writer.

 -FMT

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