The new Malaysia era in the past two years has undergone a real shift in the political environment that allows more open discussion of issues and circulation of criticism around civil society.

Many Malaysians had great hopes and expectations after the GE 14 wave and took a leap of faith in the new government, believing it would perform differently and do things much better than before.

Nonetheless, recent political developments appear to be sliding towards the polarisation of politics based on power, race and religion.

Due to this, the confidence level of people plummets, compared to when the coalition first won power in May 2018.

A report by the Merdeka Centre involving 1,204 respondents has revealed that the economic dissatisfaction among the people has risen from 12% in May 2018 to 52% in a similar followed-up survey in March 2019.

Of those, 63% agreed that economy remains the top problem of the country, because it affects the whole ecosystem of people’s livelihood.

When it rains, it pours. A sluggish economy in Malaysia is a double whammy when the substantial impacts from Covid-19 from late 2019 has prevailed until today.

The FBM KLCI has dwindled to eight-year low while foreign investors have backed off, leaving a meltdown in the Malaysia market.

Undeniably, Malaysians are anticipating a robust policy reform from the new government, thus creating new chapter for Malaysia.

With regards to that, there is a need for government to scrutinise effective communication strategies to disseminate information and instil good values among the people in order to enthuse their confidence level towards the calibre of government.

The multiracial background of the nation has provided a fertile ground for bigots to spew racist messages, and social media has become a cesspit filled with racially fuelled information that disintegrates the nation’s unity.

Nonetheless, many policies and proposal introduced are allegedly to please or appease the people, causing a false impression and disillusion for the electorate.

Issues of Jawi calligraphy, toll abolition, reintroduction of teaching maths and science in English (PPSMI), decriminalisation of drug abuse, and the most recent introduction of stimulus package has seemed to be a knee-jerk reaction to falling confidence among the people.

In a hot haste period like this, the government needs to wear many hats to face challenges, especially on crucial aftermath in Covid-19 outbreak.

With 23 cases as of yesterday, the government needs to prioritise pragmatic strategies as well as establish effective communication to disseminate messages and information to the people.

Fake news prevailing in the social media platform should be closely monitored and stern actions need to be taken over spreading bogus information regarding the outbreak.

Secondly, the government needs to convey messages on policy buffers between Malaysia and China government towards the impacted national economy.

The tourism sector is the third largest income source and one of the sectors of economy adversely affected by the outbreak.

The weak economy, resulting from Covid-19 and the latest political upheaval, needs a boost to achieve a stronger and sustainable gross domestic product (GDP) of 4.8% in 2020 to bring back its strong macroeconomic fundamentals.

Sabah for instance, the state of most Chinese visitors, has faced a miniscule fall in income.

Visitors to tourist attractions in Sabah like Semporna has dropped from thousands to only hundreds of people per day.

This has resulted in ripple effect among hospitality and tourism industry as well as smallholders and even impacted the nation’s GDP.

Thus, it is vital that the policymakers in China and Malaysia come out with sufficient policy buffers to equipoise an economic strike that could staunch from this viral outbreak.

Not forgetting, 2020 is an important year for Malaysia to spur visions in Shared Prosperity 2030.

It is the best time for Malaysia’s government to recoup the people’s support as well as regain faith that the government is people-centric in steering governance and navigates decision-making.

The nation needs more free and open dialogue as well townhall sessions between the people from grassroots level and government to provide more platforms for public views to be heard.

Besides that, Malaysia needs to be compassionate and inclusive of eternal stakeholders in policy making and framing governance structure.

Institutions that represent public conscience made up of the civil society, media, academics and civil society groups should play a vital role in pinpointing problems and also providing a constructive role in sensitive issues.

Government and stakeholders should be on the same page in moving the country towards unity.

Prior to that, Malaysia needs to be empowered and accountable in communicating with the people. 

Appeasement policies can be both be constructive and destructive.

A one size fits all approach does not apply to a multiracial society like Malaysia.

To appease the people is to allow voices and assure the people that regardless of any political changes in the nation, the people are still secured from a good future in the country.

The government needs to place serious attention in strategising communication with the people so the electorate is well-informed of movements and policies – leave aside all political games and start to bring back the true people-orientated democracy to the rakyat.

* Iris Ng 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.