LET’S AIM FOR PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION IN SHORT TERM
The new govt cannot be expected to solve all problems within a short period
AWEEK is a long time in politics, let alone a month. Malaysia has undergone a seismic shift; to say that a lot has changed in these past few weeks is an understatement.
We have our first new coalition government since the nation’s birth, and although there are many familiar faces in power, there are also enough newbies to give the government a flavour that is hitherto unknown.
However, it can be dangerously easy to get carried away with the euphoria of change, especially if there are unrealistic expectations.
Many expect that the new government will solve all their problems, from rising costs of living to the blocked drain in their the road. Now that thinking aloud is allowed, there are also many who have come forth to share and declare the righteousness of their views.
This is sometimes coupled with the view that those in the opposition are myopic at best, and criminal at worst.
Such strong sentiments lead to conflict. We must tread carefully, given how we are neonates in the art of speaking freely and are searching for the right level of maturity in public discourse.
It is important to remember that as fast-paced as the past few weeks have been, many things will not change overnight.
The quagmire that is our education system is not going to suddenly produce Nobel prizewinning scientists, the Home Ministry is not going to solve the issue of stateless children anytime soon, and our new cabinet will not be able to declare the end of corruption tomorrow.
It is also worth noting that not everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet.
Millions did not vote for the Pakatan Harapan government and even among those who voted, many were more anti-Barisan Nasional rather than pro-Pakatan Harapan.
Not everyone will be carried along by the momentum at the same pace and some may choose to remain ignorant or withdraw into their comfort zones if they are unable to cope with the pace.
The increased polarisation and rise of extremism in the United States that led to the election of Donald Trump as president is arguably partly the corollary of the triumphalism of the liberal wing of the American public.
The audacity to hope led to unrealistic expectations, including awarding the Nobel Peace Prize for no tangible reason, and increasing dissatisfaction and fearmongering in parts of the US population.
A similar scenario may pan out in Malaysia if we are not careful.
As the more liberal elements of society push for rapid changes in cultural norms, the more conservative factions will find a common cause to band together.
Those who are pushed into a corner will start to lash out, especially if there is a sense of existential crisis or if there is nothing left to lose.
Politics is a matter of perception, and is oft-times influenced more by emotions than the cold, hard logic of a rational mind.
While we may know deep down that actual change takes time — a generation at least in most circumstances — we may be impatient in wanting to see the fruits of the recent general election.
Besides managing our expectations, we must focus on the long-term outcome and shared values that we have as a nation, values that include the principles of liberty and justice.
Organisations and governments can only change their culture if the stakeholders change their behaviour, and this begins from the ground up. Our shortterm goal is progress, not perfection.
The quagmire that is our education system is not going to suddenly produce Nobel prizewinning scientists, the Home Ministry is not going to solve the issue of stateless children anytime soon, and our new cabinet will not be able to declare the end of corruption tomorrow.