Fulfil pledges to win back support of the people

TUN Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s remark that ministers have the right to award contracts as long as it is within their respective portfolios is not only morally wrong but also a failed attempt to wipe out an old disease. Over the past one and a half years, the Prime Minister has sometimes forgotten that he is now leading a new Malaysia.

When the people rejected Barisan Nasional on May 9 last year, they obviously wanted a change so that they could have a better future for the country. They wanted stern action to be taken against those involved in the 1MDB scandal and also the bigots who were spewing hatred and causing disharmony among the races. Yes, we saw action being taken against the 1MBD scoundrels but not the bigots.

After a year in power, the new administration has started to lose its focus and seems to be gradually returning to the old style of governing the country.

Whenever there is a by-election, voters are told that the Opposition wouldn’t be able to bring development to their constituency. This tactic might have worked in the 1960s but not in this digital age.

The overwhelming victory achieved by Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng of MCA in the Tanjung Piai by-election is a clear signal to Pakatan Harapan that the people are extremely unhappy and their patience has been exhausted.

Obviously, the leader of the current government has to buck up or retire quickly so that a more energetic person can take over the helm.

A majority of 15,086 votes was a defeat for which the leader of the Pakatan coalition has to take full responsibility. It would be morally wrong for him to reshuffle the Cabinet and still retain his position.

In fact, he should remove the ministers who aren’t performing. If ministers still cannot perform after one and a half years in the Cabinet, keeping them would be a waste of taxpayers’ money.

The present government shouldn’t follow the old administration’s way of using cash to win the support of the people. Liberalising the economy and improving the competitiveness of our graduates are the right way to go instead of giving handouts. The small amount of cash received can be spent easily but it wouldn’t increase productivity.

I respectfully urge the leaders of the Pakatan coalition to fulfil the pledges laid out in their election manifesto. By doing do, they would regain the support and trust of the rakyat that was lost in the last few months.