Desperados in politics


IF Muhyiddin Yassin stays, Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s dream will be wrecked. If Dr Mahathir wins, Anwar Ibrahim’s dream will be smashed. If Anwar wins, Umno’s aspirations will be in tatters. If Umno wins, Pakatan Harapan members’ hearts will be broken.

In this game, traitors who jump ship are desperados. The political leaders charged in the court over various offences are keeping their fingers crossed, hoping their allies win. Newly appointed heads of government-linked companies are praying for their bosses to stay.

My God, only the Agong wants to make sure the people win. The stakes in the chess game that is Malaysian politics are extremely high.

The country has yet to see a statesman who declares “I will put the nation first, before my own interests”. We have yet to see a leader who says “I will not contest till the next elections, because my country is going through a tough time”.

Never have I heard leaders saying this country is for all Malaysians. My heart breaks when I hear lunatics saying this is a Chinese-majority government or a Malay-majority cabinet. God, please do not make a Syria or Iraq or Yemen of my beloved, peaceful and most wonderful multiracial country.

The dilemma cascades down the corridors of power. Some leaders, ministers and directors-general are surrounded by criminals, the corrupted, the illiterate and the ignorant, who are their advisers, secretaries and agents, to make sure those in power are not shaken or tested by patriots and world-renowned technocrats – the best captains to steer the Malaysian ship to safety, where people will breathe the air of democracy as enshrined in our constitution.

Rubbing salt into the wound, Malaysia’s overall debts and liabilities stood at RM1.09 trillion at end-2018. With Covid-19 and the resulting multibillion-ringgit stimulus package, the nation is at a critical stage. Thousands who have lost their jobs must find employement. Small and medium enterprises that have closed must reopen. The resurgence of the coronavirus must be blocked. Locals must be engaged. Foreign illegals must be registered. Economic recession must be overcome. The anticipated global recession must be managed. This is a huge crisis in the nation’s history.

All Malaysians must abandon petty politics. They must avoid racial intimidation. They must emerge from their mental cocoon and see reality. The nation needs all Malaysians to be truly united. Otherwise, we will have to pay for the seeds of failure that we ourselves had sown. Our children and grandchildren will be the victims of our folly.

The pandemic has given the nation new challenges. It also provides an opportunity for the political class to come together, for once, in the interest of the nation. Leaders in both the government and opposition have failed to seize this opportunity, to unite in positive action. Without appreciating the work done so far by the government, the opposition looks for opportunities to play up policy and enforcement defects, if any.

As the lockdown period tapers off, the political rhetoric is taking off. Malaysians were free from the power tussle these last two months. I advise the political class to refrain from derailing the government now, and consequently, causing another general election. Having elections now is the last thing we need.

The final request to the political class is, sit down, unite, form a unity government and get the best talent – even from the non-political class – to lead key assignments. Have a ceasefire on the infighting.

For once, put the nation first. We will never go wrong. – May 13, 2020.

* Raken Marimuthu 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.


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Comments


  • Very Precise Full of TRUTH article. Msians shld Abandon Party hoping first RESPECT VOTERS. Secondly do away with Corrupted Greedy Power Crazy Politicians. POLITICIANS SUCK TAX PAYER MONEY AS THEIR WAGES N THEY ILL TREATED RAKYAT WHO PAY THEIR SALARIES . Anti Hoping Law is badly required TODAY bcoz of IRRESPONSIBLE POWER CRAZY GREEDY POLITICIANS

    Posted 3 years ago by Lucky Boy · Reply