People are just tired of ‘pasar malam politics’
(The Star) – Stop the politicking and get down to putting the nation’s economy on a firmer track.
This is the reaction of Malaysians who are feeling the pinch of the economic slowdown to the excessive politics being practised in the country.
UiTM law professor Dr Shad Saleem Faruqi likened the current situation as two football teams trying to score goals without observing rules.
Politicians should display some integrity, he said. “We don’t have red cards or yellow cards and no impartial adjudicators and referees.
“Some rules have to be observed, like in party-hopping that causes the downfall of a government and etiquette in the Parliament,” he said.
“Leaders have to inspire people to new goals. There are too many people in the Government and Parl-iament descending to the level of pasar malam politics,” he said.
MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat had said the party had more important matters to handle, such as the economic situation, than to respond to speculative news and half-truths circulated by certain groups.
Fomca secretary-general Muham-mad Shaani Abdullah said politicians should not focus on “longkang (minor) issues” but pay attention to the economy and making policies for all Malaysians.
“We say that we are a multiracial country but politicians talk about my race, your race, my quota and your quota. Why don’t we get together and do it together for everyone?” he asked, adding that politicians should also not manipulate the people to remain in power.
MCA legal bureau chief Wong Nai Chee said the political scene in the country had yet to reach maturity, citing the party-hopping issue in Perak as an example.
“This has to do with political education, which is lacking in this country. And you will see more often than not that they are part and parcel, products of the society,” he said.
He urged politicians to come up with constructive proposals, not those that serve only one party.
“People still talk about race politics. If you put race and religious issues into public policy, there will be no end to the quarrel,” he said.
MCA Youth chief Datuk Dr Wee Ka Siong said there were pressing issues that politicians need to tackle.
“We need to focus on our work. There is the economic issue, how we can beef up the delivery system — these are the matters that are close to the heart of the people,” he aid.
Medan Damansara residents association assistant secretary Randhir Singh said policitians should stop undermining each other.
“Both sides should stop all politicking. Let’s meet again in 2013 for the next general election. Until then, let’s tackle bigger issues,” he said.
Malaysian Institute of Integrity president Datuk Dr Mohd Tap Salleh said the political situation was very confusing for the people, with politicians showing more interest in holding on to power rather than facing the impending economic downturn.
