ONE of Malaysians’ top grouses about the Pakatan Harapan government is the cabinet’s seeming ineptitude.

Setting aside the question of whether this is a fair assessment, four kinds of ministers help shape this view.

First, those who fixate only on certain things under their portfolio.

For example, talking mostly about a specific agricultural product when they are in charge of the sector as a whole. Or, favouring a certain group of “physical activity enthusiasts” when they should be looking after the welfare of all such groups.

Perhaps, these narrow areas do warrant extra attention, but certainly not to the point of taking up all of a minister’s time, especially when they yield little to no result.

Another instance is the flying car project. What is really a straightforward matter had been prolonged by a minister’s absurd understanding of and strange language used to describe something that the entire world understands as an autonomous passenger drone.

The minister then proceeded to talk investment and innovation about a largely foreign product that is neither original nor groundbreaking. The more he spoke, the more ridiculous he looked, dragging the entire cabinet down.

In the end, the drone, project and minister did not go very far.

Second, ministers who say they are misquoted by the press on a near-weekly basis.

The knee-jerk statements cause economic panic and distrust between communities, and cost us investor confidence and the public’s faith in the government. They also present an opportunity to the opposition to compound these issues, especially when it comes to repeat offenders.

Whether it is poor communication skills or lack of ability to keep cool when bombarded with questions, these ministers should undergo media training, preferably not on taxpayers’ dime. Once they have mastered the art of saying what they mean and meaning what they say, they can be allowed back into cabinet meetings.

Third, those who have little to show for after a year and a half in office.

As PH approaches its second year in power, the people expect, at the very least, a solid plan with visible goals and key performance indicators. The days of blaming the previous administration must come to an end. Having tabled two national budgets, PH should already know the country’s shortfalls and how much work is required to address them.

Private-public partnerships, memoranda of understanding and cross-border cooperation are the way to go. There is an urgent need to move beyond polemics and discussions, and actually take action that produces results.

And fourth, ministers who abuse their position for political gain.

Back-room horse-trading and closed-door politics are best kept far, far behind secret doors. Of course, there is the occasional hint that requires the politically attuned to read between the lines and decipher the power play among those in the upper echelons, but it is quite another thing to broadcast it daily on every news or social media platform, making it fodder for coffee-shop talk and gossip.

It is still not too late. Apart from acknowledging their faults and making amends by working harder, these ministers should also stay humble and remember how hubris brought down the previous administration.

Transparency and good communication are key.

Ministers should take a leaf out of Malacca Chief Minister Adly Zahari’s book. He sets aside one day of the week for the people and another for corporate entities to publicly propose ideas. State government leaders and agencies attend these sessions. This way, everyone knows everything that is going on, and they are all on the same page.

It is something we could use more of, from the executive. – November 27, 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.