THE problem with governments that have been in power for too long is that they forget what it is that got them into power in the first place.

Political leaders, after years and decades of functioning within a well-oiled system – regardless if that system is corrupt or seemingly honest – often trade in the hunger to fight for something better, for a status quo mindset.

It’s undeniable that the majority of our Pakatan Harapan leaders are fuelled by a simple, uncomplicated desire to undo the years of scandals and mismanagement, which had worn down the resilience and reputation of our country’s economy, spirit and pride.

But lessons from our not-too-distant past must remind us that power and time corrupts even the noblest of intentions, and the rot usually begins with misplaced priorities.

Focusing on what’s important

PH won the elections on many factors, but it was clear that bread-and-butter issues topped the list.

History was created on May 9 and now almost 100 days later, our new leaders have probably never worked harder in their entire lives.

They have taken on the unenviable task of turning around a decades-old government system, which served only an elite few, and for that gargantuan task, Malaysians are by-and-large happy to give them the time they clearly need.

But what Malaysians should not be patient with are unnecessary distractions.

Barely a month after taking over Putrajaya, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad told delegates at a conference in Japan that Malaysia’s ambition is to start another national car.

Considering the sense of shame that most Malaysians have with the quality of our first national car and  the constant reminder in the past year that we are on the verge of bankruptcy, it appears that another national car was Dr Mahathir’s ambition, not that of the nation’s.

Weeks after that, he brought our southern neighbours on a walk down memory lane when he voiced his long-standing unhappiness with the existing water deal between Malaysia and Singapore.

The reporter had asked him a pointed question and never one to back down with ambiguous, politically correct statements, the 93-year-old statesman did not disappoint. 

The expected angry response from across the Causeway reignited fears of another era of the prickly, almost childish, relationship both countries had once shared.

While national pride plays an undeniably crucial role in uniting the people after the high-stakes general election, our leaders must rein in their personal crusades lest they become distracted from what truly matters to our nation at such a time as this.

Discontentment breeds when Malaysians read about lofty plans to make another national car (with automatic windows that will or will not work), as they look at how the cost of living continues to squeeze them dry.

Patience wears thin when we see our leaders sparking off a pointless war of words and getting on Singapore’s nerves – both with the water deal and the lack of clear direction with regard to the postponed high-speed rail project – instead of clearly spelling out how Putrajaya intends to make good of its pledge to return 20% of oil royalty to Sabah and Sarawak.

And the people’s anger will rise when the government seems intent on policing how Muslim women dress up or what sexual orientation Malaysians must have, while young girls and boys continue to be abused under the guise of marriage.

While much good has undoubtedly already been set in motion, there is still much more to do and our new government will be wise to focus on those, and not be tempted to flex their muscles in the wrong direction.

The Orang Asli are still left to their own devices by setting up wood-and-stone blockades to protect what is rightfully theirs, and the number of young Malaysians unable to find employment is growing.

Malaysians don’t expect all the wrongs of the past 60 years to be fixed in one fell swoop of an election, but our patience should not be tested by distractions and political stunts that make the headlines but do very little for the economy and the lives of everyday Malaysians. – August 13, 2018.

* Julia Yeow has been in journalism for two decades and counts it as her first love, despite enjoying brief stints as a lecturer, clown and salad maker. She is a strong believer in social justice, and holds that there is sometimes more truth in the greys, than the blacks and whites.

* 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.