Let’s get on with serving the rakyat
Four months have gone by since the historic 12th General Elections. The people rose above racial divide and voted for a stronger opposition. There was so much hope that it would pave the way for a two-party system that would provide a better check and balance governance. Unfortunately the very people who were elected to safeguard our interests are failing us miserably. Our aspirations and hopes are being shattered today; with every passing day, there is increasing fear that the nation may be going into in a state of chaos and lawlessness.
Following the elections there was great hope that finally we have voted in an ideal parliament but these hopes were dashed when our parliamentarians proved to be just interested in promoting their self interests rather than that of the people and the nation. The nation is plagued with so many problems that are threatening the well being of the rakyat but unfortunately till today there has been hardly any fruitful debate in parliament to find solutions to these problems.
The most pressing problem facing the people today is the increasing cost of loving brought about by the sudden steep hike in fuel prices. The vast majority from lower income group is finding it almost impossible to cope and if this problem is left unattended very soon many families may be ruined.The situation is very serious and the government needs to act fast.The people are crying for help.Regretably our wakil raayats don’t seem to be perturbed by the plight of the people but continue with petty political squabbles.
Instead of focusing on the issues that are affecting the people, our wakil rakyats, from the BN and Pakatan alike, have chosen to indulge actively to bring down one another with the aim of securing power. They are doing everything else except what they are supposed to do.
The Pakatan should work to strengthen their coalition by adopting a common 'constitution' to guide its members. At state level, it should strive to improve the administration to serve the people better and at the national level act as an effective opposition to check abuses by the ruling party. It should spend more time and energy to do these rather than being preoccupied with attempts to overthrow the duly elected government by the people.
On the other hand the federal government should honor its pledges to give what is due to the people in states controlled by the opposition. It is morally wrong and may even be constitutionally wrong to deny what is due to the people just because they have voted for the opposition. It would amount to punishing the people for exercising their constitutional rights. Wouldn’t such acts amount to blackmailing the people?
The ongoing political battle between Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib and the de facto Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, that has gripped the pulse of the nation,is the least the people want at this time of financial crisis that they are facing. Their alleged crimes must are best left to the police to sort out in a professional manner. In fact their cases provide the police the opportunity to convince the people that they can rise above politics to investigate and punish the real culprits in a professional and independent manner. Unless the public trust and confidence in the police and other enforcement agencies are restored, our whole system of parliamentary democracy will be nothing but a mockery.
The people at large are sick of personalized politics that is going on and want their wakil rakyats to get down to the serious tasks entrusted to them. They have tremendous work ahead to combat the spiral effects of fuel price hikes, implement a more effective and strategic economic plan to to fight inflation,a plan that would benefit all the people. If the government fails to do that we may not withstand the assault of the global economic tsunami that is poised strike our shores in the very near future.
Dr.Chris Anthony
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