NURUL Izzah Anwar, a three-term MP, is far from a political novice. A scion of an important Malaysian political family that counts a former and sitting deputy prime minster among its members, she must be aware of the implications of her statements, especially when quoted in the Singaporean press, in the middle of a diplomatic row over water, shipping routes, landing rights and airspace.

Some of these disagreements were revived after the election of our new government, led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad. The Singaporean government has appeared keen to paint Malaysia’s requests as unreasonable, with Dr Mahathir singled out as someone with an axe to grind.

Statements within and outside Singapore’s Parliament, along with well-timed comments by pundits like Bilahari Kausikan hint that Malaysia is a jealous friend and difficult neighbour.

Calling Dr Mahathir a former dictator who wrecked the system only serves that narrative.

Pakatan Harapan has won power. The time for vilifying Dr Mahathir should have ended with when the alliance to take on Barisan Nasional was formed three years ago.

A lot of changes have and are taking place, many of which, as members of the ruling coalition, the good MP, and her family members are a part of. Her father, the PM-in-waiting himself chairs a reform committee tasked with Parliamentary and other reforms, while the Deputy Prime Minister is the number two leader of government. 

Of course, it is has not been an easy ride either for Dr Mahathir and his team, or his newfound allies in PH. Both are used to doing things their way, and sometimes this meant polar opposite stands from each other.

While PH was voted into power, it should be kept in mind, a significant proportion of votes were not from their traditional vote bank, but protest votes against BN, or more accurately, Najib Razak. This means that values and ideals expounded by PH may not necessarily sit well with this group.

To add to the complexity, maintaining administrative stability meant balancing the sensitivities of conservative Malay-Muslims as well, a large proportion of whom are civil servants that powers the executive branch of government, and who are mostly used to the “old way” of doing things.

Changing these mindsets aren’t easy, and it falls on the government of the day, who often defers to the wisdom of the prime minister, to make the final call.

Working within a rigid framework, while simultaneously attempting to whip it into shape, is not an easy or enviable task. If that were the case, the government could have easily ratified all international human rights treaties, ended child marriage and banned unvaccinated children from schools with just a stroke of a pen, wouldn’t it?

While some of the reforms are taking longer than expected, and quite a few need to be put off, that they are still taking place keeps hope alive.

Mutual respect and tolerance between Dr Mahathir and his cabinet and MPs, despite their ideological differences and former enmity, has carried these reforms further that thought possible under the previous regime. And this means putting aside egos and personal interests, and moving the agenda forward without rocking an unstable boat or giving BN an opening to destroy PH, and with it, our best shot at any reform in a long time.

As the learning curve flattens out, it should be remembered, that sacrifices, even of self to prove a point, is a valid democratic expression that should of course be defended, but if it ultimately diminishes the chance of that point to be expressed completely, it would just be a case of sacrificing the greater good for the lesser. – March 27, 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.