POLITICS is not for the faint-hearted. But then, neither is politics for the unscrupulous.

Mr Prime Minister, you last month implored Malaysians to profess loyalty to Perikatan Nasional (PN) – so much so that your PN coalition has made the people of this country a deal – give PN unbridled support and let it rule the country for years to come.

You made the offer saying PN is a political coalition that would carry the country’s aspirations for generations to come.

You also said PN wants to administer Malaysia more efficiently, effectively and competently. And you spoke too of preserving unity among Malaysians of various faiths.

You said: “Perikatan Nasional is offering a new deal to all Malaysians and we are here to stay for a long time. We wish to continue feeling the pulse of the rakyat and fulfil their needs in a very caring way.

“We are committed to administering this country with integrity for the sake of safeguarding the well-being and welfare of all the people.”

You spoke of integrity and fulfilling the people’s needs in a caring way.

Is this mere rhetoric given that the next general election is on the horizon?

Given the couldn’t-care-less attitude of some of your incompetent cabinet ministers, you compel Malaysians to doubt each and every word spoken vis-a-vis the deal PN is offering.

Take, Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin, for example. When I, as a journalist, highlighted the never-ending problem of open burning in Malacca and the flash floods faced by residents, she did what most politicians notoriously do – she turned a blind eye to the issues raised.

I kept highlighting the ordeal both to her and to Majlis Bandaraya Melaka Bersejarah (MBMB), and like their boss, the local council refused any assistance.

Leadership by example from Zuraida? Appears so, looking at the dismal performance of MBMB in maintaining cleanliness and ensuring Malaccans enjoy a good quality of life.

Exasperated, I texted Zuraida on the same issues on August 13 last year, and a day later, came the reply from her office: “Kindly take note YBM no more handling this phone. Kindly follow up with the Mayor. Tq.”

Is open burning, flash floods, clogged drains and streets riddled with potholes the responsibility of the mayor? Or are these issues too petty and unglamorous for Zuraida as the housing and local government minister to deal with?

Zuraida is uninterested in ensuring the streets are clean and pollution is dealt with promptly. So, why then is she helming the Housing and Local Government Ministry?

So, how do you, Mr Prime Minister, then have the gumption to assure Malaysians that the PN government cares about their well-being?

It baffles me that Zuraida has no qualms pursuing her own agenda, making time instead as patron of Institut Wanita Berdaya, but hardly bothered about the day-to-day struggles of Malaysians.

It would be to your advantage as the leader of a nation to honour your word to Malaysians and bend over backwards whenever necessary to care for them.

Assess the performance of your ministers. None is deserving of praise. Be it Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Harun, who instead of focusing on the responsibilities that come with her portfolio, is more interested in flaunting her slim and trim figure.

What is going on, Mr Prime Minister? Is this your idea of assuring Malaysians that their welfare will not be neglected?

Then, there was Transport Minister Wee Ka Siong, who wasted no time in congratulating the regent of Johor over the birth of the latter’s fourth child.

Wee, the Ayer Hitam MP, in his Facebook post, even put up a photograph of the regent and his family.

Again, is this not politicking at its lowest? Did Wee ever bother to, via his Facebook posts, highlight the cruelty to animals and other hardships faced by Malaysians?

Mr Prime Minister, are you feigning ignorance at the incompetence shown by the ministers, all, including yourself, are here to serve the rakyat or are you simply not bothered?

Has politics in Malaysia become the last refuge of scoundrels? – April 24, 2021.

* Jeswan Kaur 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.