Pak Lah in control

24 September 2006

Reforms must be seen to be done

I refer to your report “I consult the cabinet on all matters, says Abdullah” (Star,September 18).

After a spat of criticism of the administration of Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, many Malaysians were beginning to give in to despair. The timely reassurance by the prime minister that he is in control of his administration and has not forgotten the reforms he pledged should be welcome.

While we agree that reforms must be introduced after careful planning and the results will take time to be seen, nevertheless the people must see the signs that reforms are being undertaken by the governing authorities. Only then will they have confidence in the government.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi started off with the right pledge to improve the nation and he should maintain his focus and be more aggressive in putting into place measures towards driving the nation towards that direction.

A number of reforms may be already underway. Among the most obvious is the tolerance of the present government to dissenting opinion. Even the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz had admitted this recently. The prime minister says that he would not resort to making arbitrary changes without consulting his Cabinet colleagues which is an encouraging piece of news.

In Parliament, backbenchers and the Opposition are allowed more room for debate. Similarly we hear ministers making all sorts of comments and even BN MPs are questioning certain actions of their own government such as the comments made by Datuk Zaid Ibrahim (BN-Kota Baru) recently. These were never heard of before.

Our newspapers now appear to report issues that were never possible before. The recent statement of the former Lord President regarding his sacking and the public debate of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC), were notable examples. More people are also expressing their opinion through the press without being fearful of reprisal from the authorities. Whistle blowers are encouraged to come forward to help in investigations.

This openness, although a small step, is the beginning of a long process of steering the nation back in the right direction, and if not hampered will go a long way to check the wrongs in the country. Suppression of public feedback and constructive criticism are sure ways to degrade the development of any organisation.

Datuk Sri Abdullah may have his weaknesses and shortcomings like all of us but he is humble enough to be willing to apologize if he is wrong, which many of us will not. His less combatant and more reconciliatory approach makes more friends then enemies at local and international level. It is also reassuring that in a multiracial and multi-religious society like ours, he does not resort to racial tactics for political advantage.

He may be not able to put an immediate stop to all the ills entrenched in society but at least he doesn’t use those for political mileage.

I agree these measures may not be not enough and there is much more to be done. Changes are coming although at a snail’s pace. In order to effect these changes, there is a need to change the mindset of the administrators at all levels and the public at large.

It may be an uphill tussle but with him at the helm, with patience and political will, God willing, we will ultimately succeed to build united Malaysia, which every citizen will be proud of.

Dr.Chris Anthony