I REFER to media reports quoting Klang MP Charles Santiago as saying this year’s Merdeka mood is sour because of the public’s disappointment with the Pakatan Harapan government.

As someone who voted for PH in the last general election, I believe Santiago hit the nail on the head. The PH government has fumbled over one issue after another – Zakir Naik, the teaching of Jawi in vernacular schools, and Lynas, among others.

So, when Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad announced that there would be a cabinet reshuffle, it brought a glimmer of hope that things would finally change for the better.

Several cabinet members are clearly ill-suited for their jobs, such as Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik, Primary Industries Minister Teresa Kok and Entrepreneur Development Minister Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof, name a few.

Imagine our shock and disappointment when the PM later clarified that any change would only involve portfolio swaps. Why is he playing musical chairs in the apex policymaking body of the country? He should be roping in technocrats like Jeli MP Mustapa Mohamed to lend weight to his inexperienced team.

Dr Mahathir could also bring PKR president and Port Dickson MP Anwar Ibrahim into the cabinet. Anwar served in the cabinet for more than 15 years holding various portfolios, including deputy prime minister and finance minister, until 1998. Surely he can bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the cabinet.

Further, as the anointed successor to Dr Mahathir in a deal made before the 14th general election, Anwar’s entry into the cabinet would make the eventual power transition seamless.

But Dr Mahathir, when asked if Anwar would be co-opted into the cabinet, said there is no vacancy, as no minister wants to give way. Who is the PM trying to kid here?

Everyone knows that cabinet appointments are the prerogative of the Agong, at the advice of the PM. If the PM were to give non-performing ministers their marching orders, if only to create vacancies, there would be no reason why Anwar couldn’t be made a cabinet member.

Of all people, Dr Mahathir’s track record shows that he is quite adept at bringing people into the cabinet. In the late 1990s, in a bid to de-politicise the Education Ministry, he roped in former Universiti Sains Malaysia vice-chancellor Musa Mohamad as minister. The move shocked many.

In 1997, Dr Mahathir triggered two by-elections in Selangor just so his trusted minister, Abu Hassan Omar, could be elected as assemblyman for Permatang and eventually become menteri besar. This followed the resignation of Muhammad Muhammad Taib over currency irregularities in Australia.

Of late, Dr Mahathir has increasingly resorted to a passive-aggressive style of leadership, which characterised his first administration. This is unbecoming of a leader. At a time when racial/religious tensions are threatening to tear the fabric of this nation, and the public is getting increasingly restless over unfulfilled electoral pledges, what we need is a strong, confident leadership.

To ensure PH retains Putrajaya come GE15, and in the face of Umno and PAS gaining ground from stoking racial/religious sentiments, it is time for Dr Mahathir to put his foot down, rise to the occasion, and face up to the current political reality. If he doesn’t want to, then it is best that he hands over power soon, before Putrajaya is returned to the kleptocratic Umno-led coalition. – August 31, 2019.

*Lim Kian Ong reads The Malaysian Insight.

* 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.