Lauded for its efforts, but needs to do more
Even though some of the government’s actions leave a lot to be desired, analysts commend the overall effort.
THE Pakatan Harapan government gets an “A” for its efforts in introducing institutional reforms, says Datuk Noor Farida Mohd Ariffin of the Group of 25 Eminent Malays (G25).
This is despite the cost of living having increased to an unacceptable level in the past year.
“They set up the Institutional Reforms Committee under the aegis of the Eminent Persons Council.
“The committee sought extensive consultation with NGOs, embassies and various institutions.
“Although their report has not yet been made public, I believe that the government has started to implement some of the committee’s recommendations,” said Noor Farida, a former diplomat.
A big part of Pakatan’s manifesto for the 14th General Election centred around institutional reforms to check corruption, cronyism and nepotism allegedly happening in many government agencies under the Barisan Nasional administration.
G25 is made up of former highranking civil servants who know how vital institutional reforms are in ensuring a clean and working government.
Noor Farida said it was heartening to note that the Pakatan government has set up more parliamentary select committees to oversee the work of ministries.
“They are also tabling a plethora of laws which benefit the rakyat, including a gender equality law. They are consulting the public widely regarding whether or not to abolish the death penalty.
“They are cleaning up government agencies and institutions which were ridden with corruption under the Barisan government.
“These include Tabung Haji, Felda, Felda Global Ventures and the Human Resources Development Fund, to name a few.
“They have also ordered the police and the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission to investigate those who are responsible for the misappropriation of funds from the above-mentioned agencies and institutions,” she added.
Noor Farida also said the charging of allegedly big-time perpetrators of corruption such as former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor and former deputy prime minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was proof that the Pakatan government
One must remember that the Pakatan government has no two-thirds majority, which makes passing legislation quite difficult.
Brigadier General (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji
has the will to clean up past wrongdoings.
“On the economic front, they have re-negotiated the terms of the East Coast Railway Line (ECRL) project and succeeded in bringing down its cost.
“Most economists believe that the resumption of the ECRL at a much-reduced price will stimulate the economy.
“They have also renegotiated the terms and conditions of the Bandar Tun Razak project, which will also be resumed.
“Again, it will bring benefits to the economy,” she said.
According to Noor Farida, one reason why some of the promises “are being slowed down” is because the government has to contend with the 3Rs – race, religion and royalty – being bandied about by Umno and PAS.
“This tactic succeeded in making the government backtrack on the issue of accession to the United Nations’ treaty, the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd).
“They are doing the same with our accession to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court by misrepresenting the provisions of the Rome Statute and misleading the Malays.
“Hopefully, good sense will prevail and the government will succeed in convincing the rakyat, particularly the Malays, that it is working for the welfare and benefit of the people,” she said.
However, Noor Farida stressed that the government must be seen to be making efforts to bring down the cost of living, which is a very real struggle for many Malaysians.
Patriot president Brigadier General (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji said the uninformed public was baying for blood due to the government’s failure to relay what it was doing.
“It would be too much to ask any ‘first-timer’ government to fulfil everything that it promised in merely one year.
“On top of that, one must remember that the Pakatan government has no two-thirds majority, which makes passing legislation quite difficult,” he said.
That being said, Mohamed Arshad pointed out that there were issues which should be given priority and which the Pakatan government was dragging its foot on.
“Bread and butter issues need to given priority and this isn’t being done fast enough.
“I think trying to lower the cost of food to make it affordable is slow, more like a supply and demand factor,” said Mohamed Arshad.
He added that the government was also seen as taking too much time to punish perpetrators from the previous government who contributed to the huge debt when Pakatan took over.
“The rakyat wants the perpetrators to be punished quickly, but this isn’t quite possible due to the various legal processes.
“Perhaps the actions taken in solving the issue aren’t being disseminated quickly enough to the rakyat.
“In this regard, the media plays an important role. An uninformed public is dangerous,” said Mohamed Arshad.