What kind of government we want?
I am afraid that most of the people are disappointed rather than having high expectations over the national achievements for the past two years. They are disappointed with BN, as well as PR.
By LIM MUN FAH/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily
Pakatan Rakyat has recently announced its political achievements in the four PR states for the past two years. But it is still hard to judge its performance based only on the data. Most importantly, we still have to see how the people think and do.
PR and BN are still unable to get rid from the fight over the past two years. As a result, the political war of words engulfed us and the media. They mutually ridiculed as BN described PR as a chaotic party while PR said BN an indiscriminate party. The fact seems to be the case, too.
PR is a new political coalition formed by three parties with different ideologies and directions. There are constant disputes, mutinies and party switching. It is indeed annoying.
As for the three major pillars of BN, MIC is still at its last gasp while MCA has been drowning by its party crisis. Even though UMNO has revived from the “setback”, its reform commitment does not seem going as well as expected. Some politicians are still opposing Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and racial provocative remarks can still be heard everywhere.
I am afraid that most of the people are disappointed rather than having high expectations over the national achievements for the past two years. They are disappointed with BN, as well as PR. The only difference is, compared to BN, which has ruled for 53 years, the general public is more lenient to PR and are willing to give them more time to learn how to coordinate and rule.
However, PR must not think that all these are taken for granted. PR should not neglect that all political honeymoon periods will come to an end one day. If PR fails to show incorruptibility and people-oriented politics in the four PR states, but becomes more chaotic, and is always busy with exposing scandals of the former state governments, or tries to please the people with some small populist policies, the so-called honeymoon period will be over earlier.
It is undeniable that PR has indeed shown something new in its states. BN should learn and be vigilant against it. For example, the Penang state government is able to turn the state’s financial loss to profit within two years. The Johor state government should be ashamed of itself for facing losses almost every year and owning the central government a great amount of money.
We must be fair. As a person of integrity can stand severe tests, if BN does not agree with the arguments, it can show us data and facts to prove that it performs better than PR.
In the next two years, we hope that the competition between BN and PR will no longer limited to blindly spreading hatred, but they will seek for greater interests and happiness for the people and the country based on the democratic values.
A democratic politics needs to be built together with mature voters. When we are opposing to draconian laws, we should also oppose to populism. We must loudly tell both BN and PR: A good government does not please the people but it carries out its tasks well. Only a democratic, fair, incorruptible, capable and good government will be our final choice!
