MALAYSIANS are feeling disappointed with the government because of the behaviour of some of its leaders, prominent lawyer and human rights activist Ambiga Sreenevasan tweeted today, as she urged Pakatan Harapan to avoid narrow interests and work for the whole nation.

In a series of tweets, she said Malaysia needed more statesman instead of politicians, as statesmen think of the next generation, whereas politicians “only think(s) of the next elections”.

“I understand how people feel. Every time you expect the leaders to behave in a reasonable fashion, some let you down so badly. It’s as if we do not really matter, only staying in power.

“We thought they were different,” she said.

The former chair of the Malaysian Bar had been responding to tweets by DAP aide Syahredzan Johan, who said it was unfortunate that even with Merdeka Day around the corner, Malaysians appeared trapped in a cycle of racial issues.

“We should be united, yet it seems we are now more divided than ever.

“Let’s all have that courage to do what is right, instead of what is easy,” tweeted Syahredzan, who is political secretary to DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang.

Ambiga replied that certain issues were deliberately “played up to undermine the government”.

However, she added, the government needed to show “maturity and courage to set us on the right path no matter how difficult”.

“Those who distract do not have the interests of the people at heart.

“We are facing a huge global economic problem and we are arguing about race and religion.

“We must look so incompetent to investors. All this will adversely affect the people,” she said.

“If ministers keep appearing powerless to act when the going gets tough, then who can we count on?

“If this government does not set the right path, then who can?”

Ambiga, said despite these disappointments, Malaysians must still come together to celebrate Merdeka and Malaysia Day, which falls on September 16.

“We must not allow differences over one man or one issue to take the joy out of our celebration.

“We have challenges ahead that will require all our focus and energy,” she said.

Her exchange with Syahredzan comes after weeks of divisive debate over the government’s plan to introduce khat calligraphy, now renamed Jawi writing, to Year 4 vernacular school pupils starting next year.

There are still groups opposed to the move, even after the government’s compromise to scale the syllabus down from six to three pages and to make it optional.

The government has also been urged to come down harder on controversial preacher Dr Zakir Naik, who offended Malaysian Hindus and Chinese during a religious speech earlier this month.

Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said Putrajaya will not deport the Indian national, who has Malaysian permanent residency because he fears for his life if he were to return to India, and he believes he would not be guaranteed a fair trial for the money laundering charges brought against him.

However, Zakir is also under police investigations for his comments here.

The cabinet’s youngest member, Youth and Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman, is currently under fire for posting photos of him hosting Zakir to dinner two nights ago, and for urging Malaysians to move on because the preacher had already apologised for his inflammatory comments.

Syed Saddiq’s latest social media gaffe was to call opponents to the introduction of Jawi writing to Year 4 vernacular students “bodoh sombong”. – August 26, 2019.