OVER the weekend, former prime minister Najib Razak was quoted as saying Bersatu’s formation was Lim Kit Siang’s idea. This was followed by a series of sarcastic responses, denials and a former Bersatu vice-president gloriously declaring that she was the source of Najib’s “intelligence”.

And just like that, the nation’s focus turned to this rather pointless “discussion”, which made the news for three days.

Really, who cares about who suggested Bersatu’s formation? The fact is, the party and its Pakatan Harapan coalition kicked out Najib’s government! If anything, they should give Lim a medal for it.

But that seems to be the trend of news reporting on politics and the administration since the new government took over – light and surface-level. Sensationalist, often unnecessarily. Raw, but shallow. It is as though media outlets don’t really know what to report any more, and this new openness has turned things… open-ended.

The lack of a firm national “narrative” from Putrajaya has left it to policymaking bodies, pressure groups and political parties to fill the void with their own visions and agendas, many boldly going where they have never gone before.

Some ministries have cleverly, and quite justifiably, engaged their own machinery, and outlined clearly where they want to bring their respective industries and fields. Others, though, are still struggling with issuing a proper press statement.

This is more than the mere politics of perception or a popularity contest.

The jigsaw pieces need to fit, and the bigger picture needs to be seen by all – civil servants, government agencies, government-linked companies, and those in between. The Information Department needs to play its role. Without knowing where the country wants to head to, they could be unknowingly devising strategies or planning programmes that run contrary to the nation’s direction. For example, a government policy that promotes tolerance and acceptance should not allow the more conservative among religious motivational speakers in schools.

The poor dissemination of information also gives leeway for “Little Napoleons” to widen their fiefdoms, and allows too much latitude for warlords to interpret broad-based policies however they see fit.

The media can play a purposeful role here, to guide public opinion in the mainstream dialogue and affect outcomes that benefit larger groups, or get funds into the hands of marginalised and overlooked communities, rather than feed into the shouting match merely for the sake of sales and clickbait views.

Parallels and comparisons can be drawn to promote concepts beneficial to the country, like empowering youth, promoting human rights and healthcare, improving women’s rights, and advancing a pro-labour agenda. Over the years, some of these might have been unfairly associated with a leftist agenda, or seen as an attempt by Western powers to subjugate Malaysia into adopting a value system closer to theirs.

These campaigns, in more ways than one, were encouraged by previous administrations. Media outlets today have the opportunity to fairly critique them and open up discussions, so that the “New Malaysia” not only allows Malaysians to openly support or oppose policies, but also arrive at better-informed conclusions, equipped with a broader worldview.

The PH government has established that the economy has taken a fair beating by its predecessors, and that a lot of work needs doing to bring the country back to its glory days.

What sacrifices need to be made? How can the average Malaysian help? Should the government proceed with dishing out freebies if it means sacrificing our development? What kind of university courses and infrastructure would Technical and Vocational Education and Training, and Industry 4.0 require?

We have real questions that need answers, and for once, a real chance to reshape Malaysia, and open up the national discourse as we had done in the 1960s and 1970s. Let’s not squander it with idle talk. – July 17, 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.