AN April Fool’s week seems to have caught the Pakatan Harapan government flat-footed, and even threatened to knock it out. From one issue to another, in close, overlapping succession, starting with the Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63) to Lembaga Tabung Haji (TH) and the Suhakam findings, all these culminated in an intriguing announcement by our prime minister that the earlier accession to the Rome Statute of the International Court (ICC) is withdrawn.

The announcement by Dr Mahathir Mohamad on April 5 shocked the nation. Not only the people, but PH politicians themselves were asking what the devil had happened, a second flip-flop after the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

Information that came in bits and pieces – the attorney-general being called for a special briefing of the rulers’ council, special briefings for the inspector-general of police and armed forces chief, Dr Mahathir stating that the reason for the Rome Statute withdrawal was because of the political confusion raised and not because the treaty was harmful – seemed unconnected.

Things became clear after information surfaced that a group of academics, believed to be disgruntled members of the now-defunct National Professors Council, gave contrarian opinions to the rulers’ council.

MA63 was already a nagging issue at the start of the week, even when the PH government attempted to amend the federal constitution to recognise Malaysia as formed by three entities. The proposed amendment removed the words “Borneo states” to distinguish the position of Sabah and Sarawak from the other 11 states. But, opposition parliamentarians from Gabungan Bersatu Sabah and Gabungan Parti Sarawak were still not happy, and demanded the tabled bill be referred to a parliamentary select committee.

A day later, on April 5, TH announced a dividend of 1.25% for 2018 to its 9.3 million depositors, the lowest ever in its history. In each of the last 10 years, the dividend rate had not dipped below 4.5%. It was also announced that previous TH administrations had manipulated accounts to allow for higher dividends. This lowest-ever rate must have come as a great shock to the millions of rural poor, who depend on the little but meaningful income from their TH savings.

Suhakam’s findings on April 3, concerning missing persons, specifically named the police force’s Special Branch as the culprit. This sent shock waves throughout the country. Based on the findings, activist Amri Che Mat and Pastor Raymond Koh are now officially classified as cases of enforced disappearance.

Rightfully, there should have been an outcry following the Suhakam report, but there was none, perhaps because it was already a foregone conclusion to the intelligent masses. However, the brave decision of the Suhakam panel, led by former Court of Appeal judge Mah Weng Kwai, sent PH leaders, including the prime minister, into defensive and damage-control mode.

Various top leaders of the police force, including the former inspector-general of police, had denied knowledge or culpability. After such a thorough investigation by the Suhakam inquiry, which lasted 18 months, it was expected of the government to be magnanimous and take necessary actions to settle the cases of Amri and Koh. The people want a quick termination of the cases and to move on. An internal inquiry of the police force is necessary, and disciplinary action against those responsible, or even criminal charges, if needed. The families of Amri and Koh need to be informed soonest if both are still alive.

It is unfair to put blame on the whole force, or even Special Branch, for this sad episode. It is most likely a special unit of the force that operated on a need-to-know basis, and reported to only a certain person, committed the secret operations. Until the truth is finally revealed, the former home minister has to take responsibility.

A very important event, although very small, had gone unnoticed. An article written by a prominent person from the Defence Ministry, on why our country needs a defence White Paper, was published by a mainstream newspaper. It was intended to solicit public discourse to contribute to the writing of the White Paper, a subject matter that our prime minister, defence minister and his deputy have talked about on several occasions. Sadly, no one took interest in a subject that concerns our security and future.

Returning to the Rome Statute of the ICC. Shouldn’t our cabinet members, as well as senior PH politicians, be at all times ready to support one another on key issues, and speak in unison on why we need the treaty? Shouldn’t our information department be ready to get experts to speak on the issue in the quickest of time to counter contrarian views? This April Fool’s week has witnessed so much shock and confusion. – April 11, 2019.

* Captain Dr Wong Ang Peng is a researcher with an interest in economics, politics, and health issues. He has a burning desire to do anything within his means to promote national harmony. Captain Wong is also a member of the National Patriots Association.

* 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.