A YEAR has passed and Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s speech on May 9, on the first anniversary of 14th general election, sets the tone for clear narratives for our nation’s socio-politico-economic construct. The first year of Pakatan Harapan administration has been neither here nor there, a step forward to be followed by another backward, with no clear narratives on the direction our nation is heading.

The keywords in Dr Mahathir’s speech were: shared prosperity, income inequality, new development model, rural-urban divide, fair and equitable, inclusivity, and justice. Although the PM’s announcement has yet to be in the form of an official document, the central theme of shared prosperity gave a clear dictate and the driving principle for our nation’s development in the next 10 years.

Let the stated aims of this new development plan thunder into the minds of all Malaysians – “To provide a decent standard of living to all Malaysians….to ensure that all people will benefit from the nation’s wealth fairly and equitably….that all these initiatives under its promises will be fulfilled so that all future achievements will be based on inclusivity, justice so that the nation’s wealth will be shared by all based on the spirit of shared prosperity”. Indeed, the speech was very inspirational and morale lifting.

Pakatan Harapan leaders had started off with the correct footing immediately after the last general election. Malaysia Baru, national reset, ketuanan Malaysia, and ketuanan rakyat were welcomed rhetoric, hailed as a new dawn and national rebirth. As quickly, the new dawn soon became dusk when the appointments of the finance minister, attorney-general and the chief justice were exploited into ethno-religious-royalty issue by the Umno-PAS unholy alliance. It was a weapon that derailed PH’s course for national reconstruction. After three by-election loses certain ministers were convinced the Malay and Bumiputra Agenda ought be prioritised without apology, prompting critics to warn PH not to be a BN 2.0. Few would disagree that PH started the year in rudderless fashion.

The narrative that Malays, Islam and the Malay rulers are under threat and, therefore, have to be protected; allow Umno and PAS to call the shots and dictate the political discourse, that at times reached the tipping point of tolerance. Incoherence, unclear direction, inexperience, plus incompetence among some PH ministers compounded the problem. Unfulfilled election promises confirmed public notions that reform agenda were derailed. The non-ratification of ICERD and the Rome Statute, through which the International Criminal Court was instituted, are cases in point. If all PH ministers and top leaders had spoken in unison on allthe reform agenda, the outcome could have been different.

The prime minister’s policy speech on May 9, is a welcome change. It signalled to critics and those in despair to hold their horses. It also signalled that leadership in PH is alive and clear paths ahead are now visible. However, this signal alone is not enough. All ministers in PH and its top leaders must now play ball. Teamwork is crucial.

Economics will be the decisive factor for the outcome of the next general election, not ethno-religious issues. Any of the following events can cause the world economy to spiral down: a geopolitical conflict that involved superpowers, or a bank run in any country that sparks a global contagion because derivatives are entwined in the banking system of major banks, or the unfulfilled demand for gold repatriation of certain countries from vaults in US and England, or the current US-China trade war which does not seem to abate but has escalated could crash the world stock market.

A global economic recession will affect Malaysia badly. Our country’s huge liabilities, debt and obligations combined just below RM 1 trillion, is also seen as a humongous opportunity cost that may deprive whatever handouts to ease the pain of those in the B40 group in the event of economic hardship. An economic recession is a certainty for a crash in oil price. Hence, Petronas’s contribution of RM 24 billion in 2018 to the government’s coffers, when the oil price was high, may not be sustainable.

All PH ministers and leaders need to be conscious of economic factors and prioritise effort and programmes to increase economic goods and services instead of pandering to opposition bickering over toxic ethno-religious issues. The shared prosperity, as expounded by our prime minister, aimes for the welfare of all, to include those who are in need, fairly and equitably. These must now be clear narratives that all PH leaders must speak in unison. – May 14, 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 the means to help the new government in rebuilding our nation and promote national harmony. Captain Wong is also a member of the National Patriot Association.

* 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.