“RUPA boleh diubah, tabiat di bawa mati” (it’s difficult to change habits).

We have been wanting to change the government for various reasons for more than six decades and did just that last year.

But more than a year later, we ourselves haven’t changed but seemed to be worse off, thanks to social media. Everyone has a say in everything and the sad part is, many want to impose it on everyone else – all in the name of right to freedom of expression. It applies not only among the ordinary people but also tycoons, associations and lawmakers.

One guy suggested that armed forces personnel should replace foreign workers at Felda plantations to address the country’s bloated civil service. They are doing nothing except eating and sleeping. I guess he wouldn’t mind if drivers in companies he hold shares carry out some work of foreign workers while waiting for the bosses and doing nothing.

He may be patriotic, sincere, honourable and a successful entrepreneur but national security and defence is not his forte.

When shareholders in one of his companies sold off shares and the price dropped by more than 20 sen, he called most of them weak holders, stupid or uninformed investors who can’t control their emotion to think logically.  

Being patriotic, his companies should hire the excess from the civil service and practise meritocracy in the selection and promotion of employees since all Malaysians are supposed to be equal under the law.

Obviously, he is not aware of the provision of security and rescue operations in cases of natural disaster, the issue of information security – one of the more important military issues today – and proper training in anticipation of any intrusion.

Another guy made an online posting where the Jalur Gemilang’s white stripes were altered to black when criticising the government’s khat policy to “express his feelings”. Did he consider others’ feelings?

Both have since apologised but these should not have happened.

An association, protective of its mother-tongue education, wanted to seek similarities across dissimilarities by paying more attention to cross-ethnic issues – all in the spirit of a single, united nation with multiracial differences. But on the issue of khat learning, the mood is different.

Given the announcement for implementation is not well thought out, the response was not within the spirit of a single and united nation.

A parliamentarian has called for a review in the decision-making the process at the Pakatan Harapan presidential council since there seemed to be too much power in the hands of the prime minister (PM). Adding that power needed to be shared equally.

Not sure if he understood the difference between the functions of the government and politics.

I can understand his fear of losing in the next election but election result depends on a number of factors, including the mood during campaign period, voters’ groupings, personalities and beliefs, potential candidates and a host of other idiosyncratic factors.

A minister in sending out a “personal” political statement against a controversial preacher used the ministry’s letterhead when he knew the matter will be brought up in the cabinet meeting. Later, he and another minister said they are leaving it to the PM to decide on how to deal with the issue.

It was just seven months ago he had agreed with other ministers not to issue statements that are unrelated to their portfolios and will only discuss things within his portfolio.

It is common for politicians to look for publicity and popularity but please do not shoot your own foot.

The damage inflicted by the previous government has been incalculable and we need to fix the whole system with a bunch of inexperienced ministers.

At this juncture, we should not be focusing on what benefits our race but what benefits our beloved country. We need to work together and respect one another. Being defensive will not work.

I am not surprised why Hong Kong folk, after 22 years still could not identify themselves as Chinese.

Just a reminder, freedom of expression or human rights and the law are not mutually exclusive.

Lastly, one can scream and shout about unity but one’s actions and habits will be a giveaway. – August 16, 2019.   

* 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.