WE are in the Olympic season and cheering the best sons and daughters of Malaysia to bring glory to our beloved country. They were selected because they are the best and to represent us for two weeks.

However, at home, those who were elected to represent us for five years are doing the reverse – the current government is not the one we elected but the lawmakers were. It is sad that those who were elected are not proving to be the best and some showing signs of mediocrity.

We were warned about adherence to standard operating procedure but they have a different standard. We could not gauge their performances because parliament sittings were halted due to declaration of emergency. Now that we have, albeit a controlled one, we can really see their competencies.

Not only SOPs were bulldozed but the advice of the Agong is ignored. “As soon as possible” has a new meaning and opening of Parliament too has a new meaning. New norm, I guess.

And now, the proposals to rescind the emergency ordinances, which were supposed to be tabled and debated in the Parliament, was ignored and was passed by cabinet. This is a blatant disregard of the Rukun Negara and bypassing the Agong as the supreme head of the Federation under the constitution.

Never before has an Agong been extremely disappointed. I think this revocation (of the ordinances) that has not been consented by His Majesty, is the last straw on the camel’s back.

Total insubordination against the supreme head of the Federation.

Recently I wrote an article titled “Parliament can convene soon but…” and stated how we treated our Agong. We used the Agong to declare emergency but the Agong cannot have a say on convening Parliament and still having clowns or “court jesters” around.

They did it again.

However, our Agong is a good man and has asked all lawmakers to focus on finding solution to the problems faced by people due to the pandemic, during the ongoing special parliamentary sitting.

But, the core of democracy is people exercising power to be the masters of a country. Democracy must strike the right balance between free development of individuals and the overall interests of the people.

Now that there is insubordination and the overall interests of the people are sidelined, what should the people do?

Is a reprimand by the Agong sufficient or can the people give a proposal to the Agong?

Since those who have been tasked to discharge the function and powers of the Agong have failed, can we, the rakyat propose to the Agong on new faces to lead the country?

The Statistics Department can start an online survey for the rakyat (eligible voters only) to suggest names for the new cabinet and make a selection in collaboration with the Election Commission. Experts on legal and the federal constitution have to come forward to make this doable as a new norm. Of course, checks by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission is a must.

While we respect and value the contributions of the older politicians, we need to have fresh faces in this 21st century. Hopefully, we can avoid elbowing for positions.

We need to have competent and an optimum number of cabinet members and stop the whole world laughing at us. We don’t want a third time that will cause more damage.

Those who did not make it at the Olympics has to catch the first flight back and hopefully the cabinet members who are not up to mark will do likewise.

What say you… – July 29, 2021.

* Saleh Mohammed 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.