Show priority to the needs of the rakyat

IN any election, there would be winners and losers. The winners should concentrate on fulfilling their election pledges and begin the process of rebuilding or rehabilitating the country. The losers should exit graciously and reflect on the circumstances that led to their loss. Sometimes, it would have had nothing to do with their popularity, past service or personal fault.

But it must be clear that in a democracy, there is no room for illicit political manoeuvring. Some sore losers might resort to using questionable tactics to further their political ambition but history has shown that such manoeuvring would only destroy the nation, and the perpetrators would ultimately be exposed as there is nowhere for them to hide.

The political upheaval in BosniaHercegovina is a clear example of political manoeuvring that led to bloodshed, loss of a generation and prosperity, ending with carnage. All the ethnic leaders, at one time national heroes, were arrested and are now languishing in jail.

Now that there will be a new government, there are burning issues to be resolved.

Inflation has jumped to double digits in the past five years. Government spending had escalated due to many mega projects that ostensibly stimulated the economy but led to little productivity.

It is time the government distinguishes between productive versus unproductive projects. Tourism, plantations and food production are examples of productive industries that would generate income for the country. They must be pursued and supported.

Building long winding roads or railways to nowhere, high-rise luxurious homes and office towers might improve the “standard of living” of citizens but would not enhance the productivity of a nation.

Corruption has been a top issue of contention among the electorate. Education to dis- courage corruption has proven to be futile. What President Xi of China did was a successful way to rid his country of corruption. Penalty on public servants implicated in corruption cases should be increased. In times of severe financial deficit, perhaps the government could allocate a period of amnesty where the corrupt voluntarily surrender their illegal proceeds with lighter punishment. Subsequently, harsh punishment should be meted out to those who are guilty.

There has to be a conclusion to the 1MDB affair too. Some form of commission that is truly independent should be empowered to investigate it thoroughly and the report be publicised and endorsed by the government.

We have a long hard road ahead but together we will travel through that in no time.