Stop behaving like cleaners, be reformers instead, new government told

Asila Jalil Asila Jalil Updated 5 years ago · Published on 15 Aug 2018 3:12PM · 6 Comments

THE Pakatan Harapan government should stop behaving like cleaners and act like reformers instead to implement changes in the country as they had promised, an academic told a forum today.

Assistant professor of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at University of Nottingham, Gayathry Venkiteswaran, said the new PH-led government appeared far more intent on painting a picture that the previous Barisan Nasional administration was evil.

“Yes, they (BN) were responsible for many things but I think we need to deal with an environment where you give information so that people are able to understand the extent of these issues and make their own decisions,” Gayathry today told the forum, titled Suaram’s 100 Days Report Card for Pakatan Harapan Administration.

She said some ministries were so tied up with the “cleaning” that they were not focusing on neccessary changes and reforms.

Gayathry also said the cleaning had led to the government harping on the fact that it did not have sufficient funds to implement changes. 

“I think that needs to stop because that is expected of any new government. And, we know that this is a long process.

“So, it really needs to behave as a reformer and change its mindset to really reform,” said Gayathry. 

Bersih acting chairman Shahrul Aman Saari said he was not satisfied with the progress made but understood that it was not easy for the new administration to pick up where the previous administration left off.

“We understand that, but we cannot let the government move freely without a push and comments from the people,” he said on the sidelines of forum.

Shahrul, however, said he was satisfied with the freedom the new administration had given civil society groups to speak up.

“Previously, if any group made comments, it (the government) would say the group is pro-opposition when, in reality, we criticised for the betterment of the country.

“It may be different now but we still have to correct some situations.” – August 15, 2018.

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Comments

  • If nobody cleans up the shit first how are we going to move ahead? You want PH to drag the shit along? Easy for you who stays in your ivory towers to past judgement!

    Posted 5 years ago by Teh Ewe Leng · Reply

  • I voted PH as goverment, i want them to clean up and also reform, i dont see what is the problem. what kind of professor issue such brainless statement ? you should have just staying in academic field.

    Posted 5 years ago by Hock Keat Wong · Reply

  • I believe the dear prof has to be re-schooled.

    Posted 5 years ago by Robert Phang · Reply

  • Gayathry--- the cleaning is the initial act of reform process. With the clean slate provided, an impetus launch of the reforms programn will encounter less hiccups and success are pretty ensure. In all honesty a 100 days should not be used as judgemental call on performance when 61 years of mismanaging the country are tolerated until the final end where the sentiments of hate created the big push for change. Do not freey provide undue stress and unreasonable verdict for such a short span. All political parties of the future should avoid the 100 days barometer to prove their worth in the making when there are no crystal ball vision or foresight to know what is in store. Post winning appologies rendered after encountering set back do not serve well for it only create disappointmnet and change of heart in support. Overzealousness in blind heroic act on a 100 days of over committed capabilities looks fool hardy and will becomes zero which ultimately will also dilute the other success and achivements. Can't blame the rakyat and so called economic analysts in being unresonable as it is norm for their hindsight visions are 20/20 and what has been achived are considered history and what has yet to be achived are the fodders to raise hell. So...............

    Posted 5 years ago by Lee Lee · Reply

  • What a dumb Assistant Prefessor!

    Posted 5 years ago by Zaki Razak · Reply

  • Many of you are attacking her credentials as an academician which I see is not necessary as she is just exercising the right to freedom of speech by giving out her view on the current government. You can agree or disagree with proper manner. Come on, be more mature.

    Posted 5 years ago by Muhammad Naqiuddin Nazri · Reply