Are you able to convince the ruling elite and the professional elites that this is a mission that must be supported by all?

– Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim

COMMENT | Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said a few queer things in a recent keynote speech, including reforms depended on convincing the ruling and professional elites.

Two points: First, politicians who are voted into office are the ruling elites. Together with the royal houses and the professional elites, either through government-linked bodies or big business, they make up the sum total of policy-making in this country.

Also keep in mind that this unity government has former activists and outspoken political operatives in positions of influence who, for obvious reasons, have gone silent in their clarion calls for reform. Furthermore, nobody wants this government to rush into anything.

What reform-minded individuals want is for the government to demonstrate that there is the political will to carry out these reforms and the necessary engagement with stakeholders by the State.

Secondly, by admitting this, what the prime minister demonstrates is that our already gerrymandered votes mean bupkis.

Apparently, the voice of the rakyat is secondary to the...