COMMENT | Flood disaster: The rot worsens
COMMENT | There are a few things that the rakyat must always bear in mind.
The present government is not the government the rakyat voted in the last general election.
It is now already two failed governments, which were cobbled together, like a patchwork doormat, of unlikely political bedfellows, who have nothing really positive in common except self and vested interests.
Mutual backscratching, and in the interests of the rakyat and nation, beyond the usual lip service and rhetorics.
As such, not much can be expected from those in charge, in so far as good, effective, reliable, and accountable governance are concerned.
Everyone wants to be "in charge", but is not able to actually take charge.
It is an "afterthought government", in which every person who carries a vote (that can keep the backdoor government, from losing a no-confidence motion in the Parliament), needed to be carefully "looked after".
Hence, the over-bloated cabinet, the biggest in the world
The "job and post creation" for the rest, in GLCs and anywhere there are posts to fill, even trying to fit square and jagged pegs into...
COMMENT | There are a few things that the rakyat must always bear in mind.
The present government is not the government the rakyat voted in the last general election.
It is now already two failed governments, which were cobbled together, like a patchwork doormat, of unlikely political bedfellows, who have nothing really positive in common except self and vested interests.
Mutual backscratching, and in the interests of the rakyat and nation, beyond the usual lip service and rhetorics.
As such, not much can be expected from those in charge, in so far as good, effective, reliable, and accountable governance are concerned.
Everyone wants to be "in charge", but is not able to actually take charge.
It is an "afterthought government", in which every person who carries a vote (that can keep the backdoor government, from losing a no-confidence motion in the Parliament), needed to be carefully "looked after".
Hence, the over-bloated cabinet, the biggest in the world
The "job and post creation" for the rest, in GLCs and anywhere there are posts to fill, even trying to fit square and jagged pegs into round holes, ie unfit pegs.
Retinues of advisers to advise regardless of the existence of a civil service, whose very functionaries are there to advise, formulate and implement policies as they have been doing for many decades. Perhaps the ones needing advice, are the square and jagged pegs?
Is it any wonder then, that when faced with daunting tasks, adversities, and disaster situations, many of them can hardly keep their heads above water. Or even tread water?
They are clueless as to what to do effectively without putting politics into every equation in decision-making. For example, the launching of disaster relief events instead of directing every ringgit straight to the affected rakyat.
Printing and making of banners and having politically motivated programmes, with no real good outcomes, all in the name of flood relief.
Worst of all, the National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) only convened a meeting several days after the floods had ravaged so many places.
To add salt to the wound, Nadma had the gall to cite "too much costs" as the deterrent to their doing what they should.
Our military had to step in to take on the responsibility of evacuation etc. Syabas!
Are the many lives lost, so far, not a cost, as far as Nadma is concerned? As some have pointed out, Nadma itself is a disaster.
And the massive losses of properties, and livelihoods, in so many areas, are not of consequence?
Massive infrastructure damages
The explanations from those in the government seem to be "meetings have been held" and "briefings have been given" etc. The punchline is money will be given. As though after money is given, all will be okay.
The government cannot continue to "buy" the way forward, even using our EPF money for flood relief. Already our future nest egg has been depleted, many will have very little to depend upon on retirement.
And so, with the backdoor government, having announced all that, the question can now be asked. Is that all?
No follow-up on a daily basis? No ensuring there is precise feedback on the exact situation in all affected places. What are the measures beyond the flood disaster?
There have been massive infrastructure damages all over - interstate highways, roads and waterways, bridges, all forms of connectivities, residences of all types, personal property and asset damages, environmental damages and losses in many forms in every affected area.
These must be attended to now. Not to wait for more briefings, meetings, and political considerations.
It would most probably be a daunting task, that this failed government will not be able to surmount. Why not?
One answer is that a backdoor government, not voted in by the rakyat, will not be able to give orders to, or criticise, its own hodgepodge group of cabinet members (and deputies, etc) for fear of losing those expensive Parliament votes.
And it will always be making decisions on the run, always thinking of preserving votes and preserving political support and power.
But the rakyat moves. It must be placed on record, how the ordinary rakyat, without the government, have, wherever they could, reached out to those affected by the ravaging floods and, regardless of race, religion and political inclinations, have continued to collectively alleviate the sufferings of those who have lost much, if not everything.
Kudos to the very caring rakyat, and may the almighty shower blessings upon all of them.
Meanwhile, the backdoor, self-installed government, can continue to have endless meetings, briefings, and sloganising and reveal how clueless some can be when needing to get out of their well-cushioned comfort zones and really get down to the ground, wade into the raging waters, and see for themselves what is happening.
Managing disasters require effective, and expeditiously executed, rescue and relief programmes, and well-planned rehabilitation, reconstruction and community revival measures.
There should be no bureaucratic processes that hinder and constrain, no fanfare for the sake of publicity, no PR/comms job for image building, no hidden agendas or motives, no paying money for consultants, and such.
Time is of the essence.
Floods and climate change, as also time and tides, wait for no one.
May the almighty save our nation, our Malaysia.
RAFIDAH AZIZ is a former international trade and industry minister.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
