Patronage system is damaging PH, says activist

The PH government has been prioritising its own members and supporters by rewarding them with plum positions, often at the expense of more suitable and qualified candidates outside the coalition parties.

(FMT) – A Sarawak activist says the patronage system inherited from the Barisan Nasional government is causing damage to Pakatan Harapan.

Francis Paul Siah, head of the Movement for Change, Sarawak, said PH leaders must do more to look after the state’s affairs rather than spend time politicking.

He said many PH leaders were more concerned about their survival in politics than getting down to do serious work for the people.

He attributed the government’s non-performance partly to its patronage system, carried forward from the BN government.

“The PH government has been prioritising its own members and supporters by rewarding them with plum positions, often at the expense of more suitable and qualified candidates outside the coalition parties.

“Malaysians had tolerated the abuses by the BN government and it is sad to see that some former BN leaders, who are now in the PH government, have not changed their ways,” he said.

Siah said the expectations of the people were high as they voted for a new government and expected changes for the better to take place.

He agreed with remarks by DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang that PH leaders must recognise the disillusionment felt by many supporters who believed the government was returning to the ways of Barisan Nasional.