Warm salutations from a former college mate

CONGRATULATIONS, you did it, Tun (Dr Mahathir Mohamad)! Welcome to the chief executive seat, our seventh prime minister.

As someone who went to the same college – Sultan Abdul Hamid College (1962-1968) – as you, I am proud to have you as my prime minister again. I believe the following are what the rakyat want from your government.

1. Work as ONE. Show unity in everything that is to be carried out. Discuss and come up with decisions based on consensus. Speak and work as ONE harmonious unit and everything will be possible.

2. Pick the best to serve. Our beautiful Malaysia will never be short of experts in their respective fields, as proven in your choice of the five prominent figures in the Team of Eminent Persons.

For the Cabinet, select only those who serve based on the notion of country first and self second.

Weed out the deadwood from government departments and agencies. Show no mercy since they can be replaced with other worthy talents.

3. Please do not accept those from the other side into your coalition. They are betraying their beliefs and principles merely to safeguard themselves. The people elected them based on their respective platforms. When they jump over, can they be trusted?

To our dearest Tun, please navigate our beloved Malaysia through the choppy seas to a better port so that we can once again hold our heads high and tell the world that we are proud to be Malaysians.

I am confident that you are the right man to take the country to greater heights. After all, you are the one who introduced the inspirational motto “Malaysia Boleh!” Good luck and all the best to you, Tun.

CHIANG KIAT HIN Ipoh