2019 Wish list

It has been 9 months since the historic elections that shook Malaysia to the core and changed a page in the history books, unseating the only government we have ever known in exchange for a loose coalition whose manifesto seemed to have resonated with the wishes of the majority.

Yet, the once popular coalition is, most likely, at its lowest point, in terms of popularity and support ever since it was formed. Inexperienced ministers, greedy politicians, cronyism, out of touch representatives, internal fighting within the component parties and among the parties are among the main reasons for this decline.

The relationship between the component parties are also rocky. There is deep mistrust between members of the parties and some leaders too. After all, they used to be political enemies, united only as they were facing a common foe in the form of the former Prime Minister. Once he is gone and the former ruling coalition goes through a major clean-up, then there is not much that the new coalition can bring to the table; if they go about as they are doing right now.

Within days of winning the election we had some key members of certain component parties expressing their unhappiness with the appointment of key positions. They were all back to kissing up to their respective party leaders. The previous talk of 'country first, party second' (something that was purported to be a key difference between the old regime) were all but gone. It was every one for their own party. Even now, talk about when the next PM should come in and if he would come in is rife. Personally, I feel the next PM should be voted in. It is not an entitlement.

We are now in 2019, the people are getting tired of all these antics. Moving forward, here are somethings we would like to see. It is good for the ruling government to look into these things else they risk not lasting a full term in power. 2019 Wish List :

1. Think before you talk

One common problem we face with the new government is the gung-ho attitude of some ministers. They shoot statements and decisions only to have to make an U-turn later on. Some times their statements counter those from their own colleagues and at times it even criticizes their colleagues.

We are all for transparency and openness but every time you say something and then take it back, you look like an inexperience fool to us and when you go ahead and openly criticize your colleague you don't appear 'transparent' to us, you just look like someone who goes for attention, a power seeker, making us feel you guys in a whole are not up for the task. We do not see you as separate component parties or individuals, we see you as a singular entity; the government. We would like your statements and decisions to be well informed and reliable. Not just a bunch of nonsense changes everyday.

Maybe discuss among yourselves before you talk?

2. Stop complaining about the past

YES, we know they previous government left you with a huge debt and multitude of problems but for heavens sake, move forward. Tell us what you are going to do about it. We know of the problems, that is why we voted you in. Your complaining at times seems childish and is perceived as just an excuse or reason to cover up your lack of action.

Move forward, tell us what you are going to do about it, how we can help and by when you want to get it done. Stop throwing big numbers and trying to sensationalize things. We know it well. Every time you issue a statement about the wrongdoings of the past it makes us wonder if you were living in oblivion previously.

3. Stop fighting for power and positions

Please stop talking about when the next PM should come in, who should be in, how we can get more votes for the next election and which component party deserves more positions. Try to work on retaining your current voters. I can strongly say that if an election was called today, you may lose!.

Your internal party politics is no bed of roses either. Losers gain more 'appointments', nepotism and cronyism, sense of entitlement for positions are as rampant as those seeking recognition for their support of the party leader, form within the party or outside. 

Respect the due process. Let those that has been voted to do their work without fear of conflict. Eliminate this feeling of entitlement. Unless we vote you in, we don't want you, that is clear. Stop discussing about who gets what. Its akin to a bunch of hyenas fighting over a rotting carcass at this point of time. 

4. Stop internal bickering

One of the major difference we notice is the lack of camaraderie among the component parties. More often than not we see criticism flying in from within coalition members as compared to the opposition. You are quick to judge, to criticize, to condemn, to protest, to call out your fellow colleagues but when it comes to apologies, none has been heard.

Many times we have seen members of the coalition be set upon the opposition on something they said or decided on and they end up facing it alone. No one from their party or coalition stands by them or stand up for them. To makes things worse, some even join in to gain political mileage.

When you don't seem to support you own people what makes you think we will continue to do so? During the election campaigns all of you were 'brothers in arms' fighting towards a common cause. You seemed to have each others backs but now it seems to all be just too fake.  

All we want is for our government to at least show that they are aware and support each other. If you don't think he or she is a team player then by all means replace them.

5. Don't be afraid to change or retain

Coming to the performance report card of some of our new ministers we can see that while some of them excelled, we also have some who are failing miserably. 9 months is not a long time but it is also not exactly a very short time. If someone is not able to pick up the task by 6 months, then it is obvious that they are just not capable.

We should be brave enough to make and enforce change. That includes changing non performing ministers and retaining well performing officials. There is no need to change everyone from the past regime or to forcefully retain your under-performing ministers just for political mileage.

Coming to policies, do what we need and not what we want. Stop giving in to pressure. If a change or promise is now looking not the right thing, then change we. Change for a good reason and not just for the sake of it. At the same time, not all from the previous regime is bad. Good elements should be retained and given due credit. If it was all bad we would have been in a much worse of situation.

Change, change for the good.

6. Stop being politicians, start being the government

This is one thing that bothers most of us. The election is all but over but the campaigning is not. I remember many years ago (before 2004) where we do not see huge billboards of our MPs all over our towns telling us that their are doing this and that. We also did not see every billboard of a project starting with 'Project Kerajaan xx". Our elected representatives used to turn politicians only during the election period. Once they are in power, they work as the government, looking out for the interest of their people.

Nowadays, we see our elected representatives still behaving like they are on the campaign trail. Every issue is politicized. Every opportunity is used to gain political points, mostly for themselves within their parties. They are so afraid to make any stand as it would effect their votes. All they think about is support and popularity often at the expense of long term sustainability. The shortsightedness of our ministers are worrying. 

What we hope is for our ministers to start behaving like the government. Stop talking about parties or doing only what is popular. Do what is right. Your kids may not agree with everything you do but when done with the best of intentions it will be received well, it is only a matter of time. The bitterness of a lousy popular decision will long outlast the sweetness of the temporary support.

7. Stand Up, Be heard

One of the trademarks of the current government is the silence of key leaders during times of crisis. We often hear the noise from irrelevant members who want to gain some attention, at times issuing popular statements while most of the times just spewing hate, insult, complaints and childish like name calling towards the opposition.

However, as evident by the recent incidences, the key leaders tend to be conveniently away, overseas or out of reach for any comments or intervention. While they may be fighting for power and positions, when the time comes up, they are no where to be seen.

Many times we have seen issues escalate from something trivial to something that threatens the safety, security and stability of the nation yet these so call aspiring leaders are nowhere to be seen. They seem to have more to talk when they were the opposition and calling for street demonstrations as compared to now. It is as if the new government has the same tactics, divide and conquer. 

If you want to be the next PM or DPM, don't go missing when a crisis happens, show us what you can do. Work for the job you want, not what you have. 

8. Stop/start behaving like the opposition

I think at times some of our elected representative tend to forget that they are now the government. The way they behave and act has left us wondering if these guys are up to the mark of leading and running a government as all they seem to be good at is complaining and bitching about others.

On the other hand we have a strong opposition who is not used to being on the opposite side. They crave the need for power even suggesting a joint government. What is even worse is that many are jumping over and they are being welcomed. Both sides feel they are weak and need reinforcements.

Let me let you in on a little secret, we voted you in for your respective parties and do not assume that our support follows you when ever you jump ship. To the government, most of you won not because we wanted you but because we did not want you opponent. Welcoming them in does not increase your support but makes you and your newfound friend both lose support.

You have a strong mandate. Start acting like that. The people have spoken. Stop trying to 'strengthen up' your parties and coalition. Stop talking about joining forces. It is a blatant betrayal of our trust. 

Those are some of my wishes for 2019. Hope some of it comes through, as soon as possible as we are in dire need for a major change. Remember, we have tasted change and we realized it is not so difficult and it is in fact rather entertaining. We can always change. We don't need to like you opponent, we just need hate you more. Happy New Year !