YOURSAY | 'The 100-day target was a self-inflicted wound, and I am prepared to be patient.'

The real reforms we expected in 100 days

Shazam: I agree with Suaram adviser Kua Kia Soong's views. But it is still too early to judge Pakatan Harapan at this juncture because it has inherited a very messy government from the previous regime.

By mid-term, two years down the road, if things still do not change, then it's fair to say Harapan has failed in its promise for reforms.

By then, Harapan would be more worried than anybody else because failure to do so can only mean one thing, that they may be heading back to the opposition bench come GE15.

Jasmine: Kua has hit the nail on the head about many of Harapan's shortcomings so far.

But to me, the 100-days target is a self-inflicted wound, and I am prepared to be generous and patient with the Harapan administration. For now at least.

However, what touches a chord with me too is the mollycoddling of former Sarawak chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud and the clear absence or lack of a moral and political will to sincerely investigate all the allegations against this man.

Asking his detractors to show proof is sadly akin to what former premier Najib Abdul Razak and gang were blithely trumpeting regarding 1MDB and various other scandals that are now unravelling.

To me this is a very damaging blemish, so far anyway.

Ultimately: It’s not as if Harapan came into power in a normal democracy. It came into power in the face of a rocky scenario and an uncertain future, faced with a 60-year BN brainwashed and looted, wrecked machine to ride on.

The deposed drivers are now ganging up hoping to either regain control, or do its best to foil Harapan.

As for Taib, sure, let Harapan go and arrest him and have a huge chunk of Sarawak MPs turn enemy in the Dewan Rakyat, and see how well you get Harapan to pass its reforms then. Or worse, have them gang up with PAS-Umno to regain Putrajaya.

If that happens, Kua will surely have lots more to write about.

Kamaru: Given the complicated racial, religious and regional political minefields that it faces, it would be foolhardy for Harapan to steamroll ahead to fulfil all commitments in the Harapan manifesto. It would have led Malaysia into social upheaval.

I am certain the fulfilment of the manifesto will come over time. It is still a trying time transitioning from the divisive and morally depraved BN.

I am glad we have a pair of steady hands in Dr M controlling the nation instead of self-proclaimed wise guys.

Clever Voter: It's easy for Kua to shout with his long list of complaints. He knows nothing happens overnight, and he is also aware some of these tasks are very time-consuming.

But we have seen positive developments. Examples include changes of the guard at both government and GLC (government-linked companies) levels.

A textbook approach in addressing long-standing issues, including Sarawak, sounds easy. But Kua should be reminded that political considerations should never be ruled out.

Sarawak's support was decisive in removing BN, and while many will see this as a barter trade, it is significant that Harapan has a comfortable majority to push for things to move ahead.

Granted, not all decisions are ideal. The bigger picture is that we no longer have a regime bent on emptying the Treasury, and better still, we see possible closure on the 1MDB scandal. The list is endless; Kua has to be patient, and he must be realistic.

Anonymous_3b6c1f0c: Kua has written a very idealistic piece without any consideration of the political constraints on the ground.

May 9 ushered in change, and many have been doubtful of that change. There is a pre-existing system with flaws, but to make changes overnight without proper study of its implications will lead to a backlash from the many interest groups in this country.

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) issue where a minority has asked for recognition conflicts with the religious beliefs of a vast majority of Malaysians.

This one issue which is non-monetary and non-economic in nature could have pushed us into serious conflict, and the government has been placed in a very difficult position, what more the bread and butter issues.

People need to be assured that change will benefit all, before change is made. A mad rush to change because of promises made without thinking the process through is sheer folly.

Quigonbond: Kua just needs to let off steam every now and then.

It'll take a lot for Harapan to change the mind of this one person. The list he has is just a whole bunch of ideals that Malaysians are well aware of and would hope for Harapan to implement eventually.

But to do all that in 100 days without due consideration to impact on security and financial situation is just reckless.

I remain hopeful that when they review their progress, it would be from the lens of reducing abuse of power, having more checks and balances on discretionary powers of the police and so on, while having a keen eye on effective counter-terrorism/extremism.

The jury is still out on whether Harapan will be serious in implementing every major reform they promised, but it's just too early to judge them.

Beman: If I remember correctly, in a recent movie on Abraham Lincoln, the historic US president said something to this effect: "The compass just shows you where you should be heading. It does not show you the swamps, the rivers, the hills and the mountains you have to navigate to get to your destination."

Idealism is a good thing, but it can also be a hindrance to improving the state of the nation if it is embraced without taking into consideration the reality on the ground.

Thana55: Kua is an idealist. Execution is a different ball game.

Harapan’s pledges remain intact. Only the timing needs to be rescheduled due to the competence and allegiance of the civil service, et cetera. Do not get too hung up with the 100 days.

Change For The Better: Talking and finding fault is easy. Trying to execute policies in a complex environment made toxic by the race and religion rhetoric in Malaysia makes it a minefield.

Just A Malaysian: The regeneration of Malaysia after 61 years of abuse takes more than 100 days.

With a Merdeka Centre report in June finding that only 25 percent of Malays supported Harapan in GE14, any knee-jerk reformation will spook that 25 percent into the arms of PAS and Umno.

Malaysia needs time to massage its way back from the brink. At least Harapan has stopped the bleeding. The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is not a pleasant place, but that is what is needed to reform this beloved nation.

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