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KUALA LUMPUR – Aliran, the country’s oldest human rights and public reform non-governmental organisation, has reminded freshly minted prime minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that his forthcoming cabinet must be led by competent ministers.
The NGO’s executive committee stressed that while the Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman’s appointment is celebrated and the unity government is welcome, one of his first major moves in the high seat must not be compromised by politics.
“Anwar and his team have a lot on their plate. They must have a common purpose to rebuild the nation, given that they come from different political backgrounds,” it said in a statement this evening.
“Our collective future must not be squandered by relentless politicking or political sabotage in mid-stream.”
Formed in 1977, Aliran and its activists were heavily involved in the “reformasi” movement that followed Anwar’s dismissal as deputy prime minister in 1998 and his subsequent imprisonment.
The NGO was also embroiled in various other episodes, including the historic mass detentions without trial of activists and politicians under then prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s Ops Lalang in 1987.
The Aliran committee pointed out that outstanding and urgent matters the new government needs to tackle include the sluggish economy, rising cost of living, underemployment and unemployment, poverty, unequal development, and shortcomings in the quality of education and public healthcare.
“All these require swift and adequate attention,” it said.
“This means that ministries – especially key portfolios such as finance; international trade and industry; family, women and community development; healthcare; education; and rural and national development – must be led by competent ministers.”
“The people and their concerns must be prioritised over politics, which is what Aliran and over fifty other NGOs had advocated for in our People’s Agenda,” it added, referring to the initiative backed by 53 civil society and public interest groups.
It added that Anwar’s swearing in is an occasion to rejoice, especially after days of “an emotional rollercoaster” experienced by many ordinary people, who bore witness to intense scrambling for Putrajaya between PH and Perikatan Nasional.
Revive Pakatan government’s anti-corruption plan
Anti-graft activist K. Sudhagaran Stanley said that the incoming government must prioritise implementing good governance policies and accelerate the fight against corruption.
“The National Anti-Corruption Plan 2019-2023 (NACP), which was devised during Pakatan Harapan’s first stint in power at the federal level must be continued,” he said in a statement.
“The NACP was a five-year road map to address governance and corruption issues in the country. However, one year away from the deadline for full implementation, we have performed terribly in implementing the NACP.”
Stanley stressed that the reform agenda must be the topmost priority of the new unity government.
“Appointments of cabinet members must take this as the first consideration into account. We need ministers that can push these reforms forward,” he said.
“Equality and the fair treatment of all Malaysians must be the agenda of the day. Human rights must be respected,” he added.
Stressing that the next five years must be a period to “reboot” the country, he said the most qualified candidates must be selected to head relevant institutions via proper appointing processes that uphold good governance practices, including via Parliament. – The Vibes, November 24, 2022