PAKATAN Harapan needs to move away, quickly, from the defensive mode that it has been stuck in since winning the elections. Three months away from its full year in office, the narrative appears the same – save the country from Najib Razak and his cronies, make them pay for their crimes, rescue an ailing economy, put an end to Barisan Nasional’s hegemony and stop the rot.

But Najib has not been convicted, free to taunt the new government, the economy still feels sluggish despite positive numbers and reports, the reform agenda has seen too few breakthroughs, with plenty of time between them, and BN has had time to experiment with various political models and pitches that look like they are starting to pay off.

While some ministries, like Transport; Women, Family and Community Development; Housing and Local Government; and Energy, Science, Technology and Climate Change, are making strides in the eyes of the public, others have been slow to adapt to change, appear afraid to do so, or are more interested in pursuing their agenda behind closed doors. Even with the portfolios that are performing, there doesn’t seem a strong, visible common thread that binds their good work, a greater, long-term national vision.

With its election manifesto everywhere, and its ministers sending out different signals and messages in sometimes conflicting directions, it appears to the public that PH’s policies are both everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

At the same time, the growing threat from the new PAS-Umno pact, the reducing lenience and leeway granted by civil society, the increasing criticism from outside and within PH’s ranks make a solid sense of purpose and a unified front from Pakatan a necessity now, as compared to a political desirable a few months back.  

A new national vision and narrative is needed, one that is simple, logical and clear enough for people to get behind, and strong enough to repel the brickbats thrown at it.

Najib meekly attempted this with a watered-down Vision 2020, but Transformasi Nasional 2050 and 1Malaysia was more about stamping his legacy into the history books than it was about the future of this country. The reality is, Vision 2020 itself was never fully realised, though its track was set, and the direction, feasible. The nine challenges outlined by Dr Mahathir in 1990, seem even more relevant today, in a fragmented Malaysia, then it was in the economically stronger, socially more united nation we had been.

Perhaps it is time to revisit the ideals of the vision – in 30 years, have we even gone beyond the first challenge, to create a Bangsa Malaysia? Are our communities psychologically liberated, secure and developed?

Perhaps part of the problem has been mistakes made by the then administration in placing more emphasis on some ideals, rather than others, such as an emphasis on morality, which when taken alone, could be in direct contradiction with the other ideals, like liberalism and social justice and fair equity.

External factors and political competition could have steered the country differently from the vision’s cours, as well. This was made worse by two successive administrations’ half-hearted attempts to remain steadfast to its ideals.

The result is, in some areas, irreversible, like increased religious conservatism or a missed opportunity to change some policies that have seen been institutionalised and widely accepted as the new norm. Others are quite possible to turn around, like a unified, tolerant country working towards a modern future, despite our differences.

A sincere re-look at Vision 2020, taking into account the present social, political and economic realities could save us from the constant need to look back at the good old days, accepting what can and cannot be changed and start building better new days for our future and that of our children.

Wishing all TMI readers Happy Chinese New Year! – February 6, 2019.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.