Our new Prime Minister Mohd Najib Abdul Razak is trying very hard to win back the middle-ground. But many Malaysians, I am quite sure, are sceptical about the promises he is making about ‘1Malaysia’.

One would have thought that after Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s six years of ‘slogans’, politicians would have learned about promising too much. Najib has created a huge mountain of expectations, it remains to be seen if he can scale it.

Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s return to Umno and presumably to a position of greater influence over governmental affairs is also being greeted with unease. If the BN turns the screws tighter against civil liberties, they might find calming down a radicalised electorate very difficult.

Internally, the BN now has to demonstrate power-sharing more meaningfully. Some in the MCA are already demanding a second deputy prime ministerial position. How an Umno that has moved to the political right will react to this MCA suggestion will be an indicator of reforms within the BN.

The reality on the ground is that Malaysians have an alternative to the BN. Malays know that they need not be held captive by Umno alone. There is always PAS and PKR hovering in the background waiting for their votes. BN’s component parties have also lost their shine. It is increasingly difficult for them to argue their case with non-Malay voters whose gaze is fixed on political equality.

Thus Najib Razak is taking the only route that he can: moving away from race-based politics by advocating his ‘1Malaysia’ concept. Abdul Razak’s reputation as the father of the NEP with its cardinal principle of ‘eradicating poverty regardless of race’ and creating an equitable society should be the guiding light for the implementation of this national policy.

However, collective responsibility, one of the most crucial ideas behind a Westminster-style democracy, must be held up by Najib’s new cabinet. This means that the cabinet must not be dominated by warlords from the various political parties but should include competent

individuals whose sole obligation is to pursue the best for the nation and its citizens.

Najib’s decision to release 13 ISA detainees risks being just a demonstration of political chicanery if it is not followed-up by a comprehensive repeal of the law. To promote ‘performance now’, the new PM should also look seriously at repealing the Official Secrets Act.

The OSA allows little Napoleons to dictate terms and encourages corruption because those who bribe and receive bribes can hide behind it. This in turns frustrates the smooth implementation of government policy and financial leakage means the idea of an equitable society can never be achieved.

The new cabinet should also institutionalise and put into practice the concept of individual ministerial responsibility. Let us not hear of ministers refusing to step down when public money has been lost owing to inefficiency, negligence or sheer carelessness. The minister must assume responsibility for the actions of his/her ministry. Ministers should also react more positively to criticism.

They must take every opportunity to explain government policy and engage in intelligent arguments. This should make the PM's life easier and encourage the opposition to fulfill its obligation of finding weaknesses in government projects and policies. This results in better policies and a more responsible government. Ministers who wail and say ‘act of God’, should be sent out to pasture.

Our new prime minister also talks about demonstrating good management and wants to provide for all Malaysians. The real challenge is that Najib needs to expertly manage change. His entire cabinet will be closely watched.

If they fail to stimulate an economic transition from manufacturing to a more service- oriented one, the effects will be felt mostly by the middle and working classes. This will further erode support for the BN.

Finally, the new PM will need to demonstrate that he is his own person. Abdullah was seen as weak and ultimately did not succeed in providing a clear path or direction for the nation. Najib will have to provide stronger leadership, be willing to make unpopular decisions and stick to policies that can bear fruit later down the road.

In short, Malaysia must not be held captive by narrow ethnic or class interests. How Najib handles the language policy and meritocracy in education will be good indicators of his overall strategy to move the nation forward.

However, the PM faces the problem of time. There is only four more years left in BN’s mandate. With an economic crisis looming and a structural sea-change at our door-step, the PM will need to unite all Malaysians. Reminding us that we are all ‘1Malaysia’, all sailing in the same boat and that we need to paddle in one direction may be a public relations coup but Najib needs to pull it off.

This time round, the goods must be delivered in the form of a more transparent and open government, declaration of assets by cabinet members, a body to oversee the police force, judicial reforms that is demonstrated publicly and visible improvement in the nation’s reputation globally.

Malaysia now needs to compete for global capital and talent to stay abreast of its neighbours. Only a mature democracy will deliver us to the next stage of economic, social and spiritual development.

Slogans and populist policies aside, Najib Razak needs to demonstrate his commitment to building this nation. Performance will be crucial as there may be no more second chances for the BN. The reservoir of goodwill has been spent by his predecessor, so Najib needs to perform now.