Unity govt needs wake-up call on reforms, says Syed Saddiq

 

Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman says the unity government cannot afford to drag its feet on reforms. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan and its allies in the unity government need a “wake-up” call to understand that good governance, which is being closely watched by all Malaysians, will be key in how voters decide in the coming state elections, says Muda president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.

As a slew of reforms were promised in the last general election (GE15) by the parties and coalitions in the unity government, he said, serious efforts were needed to put them in place to show the government is serious about making the changes.

“Let’s not forget that those who actually voted us to power are those who believe in these ideals. If you can’t even deliver, and backtrack on many basic things, I think you will lose support especially when you try to pander too much,” the Muar MP told FMT.

The PH-held states of Selangor, Penang and Negeri Sembilan, and PAS-run Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah are due to hold their elections after June.

Syed Saddiq said the unity government could still do it as there are a few months more before the state elections are held, but warned that it could not afford to drag the implementation.

“I think that in the end, people look back to good governance and competence, so that’s the priority. As long as you show that, you can get support.

“I’m not discounting the fact that race and religion play a pivotal role in shaping politics in Malaysia, but I wouldn’t see it as the strongest force. I think we have to give a little bit more credit to our electorate,” he said.

Syed Saddiq disagreed that the so-called “green wave” in GE15 was mainly caused by tahfiz-schooled youths as there was more to it. For example, he said, the state election in Johor last March saw BN winning with a two-thirds majority.

He said the tide would not have seen such a huge change just eight months later in GE15 if that was the factor.

“The reason why there is a rise in right wing conservatism is because there is no coherent alternative. Everyone is trying to outdo one another on the spectrum to the right. There’ll be a lot more coming.

“At the same time, people take moderate, multiracial voters very lightly,” he said.

Asked what should be done to convince Malay-Muslim youths to vote for a multicultural Malaysia, Syed Saddiq said there is no escape from providing good governance to show that in the end, a united and prosperous Malaysia lies in competent leadership.

He said policy and decision-making processes must be driven by data and science, which was seldom done in the past.

“For example, after decades of so-called financial assistance, a quarter of Bumiputeras and Sabahans still live below the poverty line. Why is it the case? Why are there still privileges given to the elite Malays while in reality, there are many other Chinese and Indian underprivileged students and families who are suffering without proper assistance?

“You must make a proper case based on policy, driven by data and design. And again, I’m not advocating for a Malaysia where race and religion simply do not exist,” he said. - FMT