COMMENT | Bring on the elections. It’s our best option
COMMENT | Let’s not pretend anymore. We have to face the stark reality that things are not alright in the country.
Sadly, all we have been getting are bad news, day after day. And do not expect to hear gladder tidings because there will be none if our political crisis is not resolved.
As a nation, we are sinking deeper and deeper into the abyss. Some say we are not a failed nation yet, but we are getting there, slowly but surely.
Bloomberg has commented that “it may only be a slight exaggeration to invoke the dreaded label of a failed state for Malaysia as the nation is beset by multiple crises - social, economic and political - fed and worsened by each other.”
Well, that international source was quoted for a reason - so we know that our friends (and foes too) all over the world are watching us, some sneering and others sympathetic towards us.
On the political front, we should bow our heads in shame really. Our elected representatives can turn from allies into foes overnight, they keep making promises they know they couldn’t keep and will not hesitate to sell their souls to the devil for as long as they could remain in power.
This is politics never seen before...
COMMENT | Let’s not pretend anymore. We have to face the stark reality that things are not alright in the country.
Sadly, all we have been getting are bad news, day after day. And do not expect to hear gladder tidings because there will be none if our political crisis is not resolved.
As a nation, we are sinking deeper and deeper into the abyss. Some say we are not a failed nation yet, but we are getting there, slowly but surely.
Bloomberg has commented that “it may only be a slight exaggeration to invoke the dreaded label of a failed state for Malaysia as the nation is beset by multiple crises - social, economic and political - fed and worsened by each other.”
Well, that international source was quoted for a reason - so we know that our friends (and foes too) all over the world are watching us, some sneering and others sympathetic towards us.
On the political front, we should bow our heads in shame really. Our elected representatives can turn from allies into foes overnight, they keep making promises they know they couldn’t keep and will not hesitate to sell their souls to the devil for as long as they could remain in power.
This is politics never seen before in Malaysia, not since the Sheraton putsch of February 2020.
Ismail Sabri Yaakob is not the reformer we badly need at this crucial hour. In fact, he is no leader at all and certainly, not prime minister-material, judging from what we have witnessed so far.
A prime minister who has too many former bosses to listen to and take instruction from without any action plan of his own is no prime minister at all.
Believe me, it gives me no pleasure to critique the prime minister and I have been hoping to hear something positive from Ismail Sabri so that I could write a “feel good” story about him and the good work he is doing.
I believe my fellow Malaysiakini columnists feel likewise. We wish our leaders well and want them to succeed too. Unfortunately, none of those positive vibes about the prime minister or the government has been forthcoming.
Seriously, I’m not sure who is in charge of the country today. Ismail Sabri or Muhyiddin Yassin? Or is it Najib Abdul Razak, who is making a comeback? And what about Ahmad Zahid Hamidi? He is also the PM’s boss, being the Umno president.
These are no ordinary guys but heavyweights whom Ismail Sabri has to ensure their political wants and needs are satisfied.
Ismail Sabri’s position as PM depends heavily on their support. I don’t think a man weighed down by such enormous pressure is able to function effectively as prime minister.
GE15 in February
Our politics has always been noisily adversarial. There are camps in the same party within a coalition and the unending intra-party squabbles only lend credence to an unstable government.
In Parliament, MPs talked over each other, shouting and even screaming at times. As it stands now, a full debate on the national Covid-19 recovery plan has yet to be carried out.
There are just too many distractions and uncertainties. Ismail Sabri’s government will fall if half a dozen MPs were to withdraw their support.
I think the best option is to bring on the elections. Yes, let’s call for GE15 by early next year.
Like most Malaysians, I have joined the “no election” bandwagon as protecting lives is paramount. The Covid-19 pandemic has not gone away yet, but we are hopeful that we are on the road to recovery.
I remain optimistic that by February next year, the immunisation programme would have long been completed and most states would have been on the final recovery stage.
Why did I mention February? This is the month when the localised emergency in Sarawak ends and if not extended, the state polls must be held by then.
This is the opportune time for the 15th general election - to be held together with the 12th Sarawak state election.
This is five months earlier than the July date originally proposed by former premier Muhyiddin before he stepped down last month.
An election is the best way to resolve the political impasse once and for all. Ismail Sabri’s government today is a continuation of the backdoor Perikatan Nasional government which the majority of Malaysians abhor.
I don’t think we can continue to tolerate a government formed by just 115 people. No, this has to stop, and we have to go back to a democratically-elected government, chosen by the majority of eligible Malaysian voters.
Parliamentary democracy, which we subscribe to the day this nation was born, must prevail above all else.
Let us all say “No More” to any future illegitimate government formed by political frogs and traitors and their silly SDs (statutory declaration).
FRANCIS PAUL SIAH is the author of 'Hijack in Malaysia: The Fall of Pakatan Harapan'. Obtain autographed copies from sirsiah@gmail.com
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
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