The 2018 General Election has been an exciting one. A historical feat was created. A government which had comfortably been in power came crashing down overnight. The leaders did not expect this to happen but for most Malaysians, it was a humongous victory. Many new faces were brought into the cabinet and Malaysians expected a new Malaysia to emerge. At the same time, the promise of a clean-up was undertaken. Many, including the former Prime Minister, his wife, the Deputy Prime Minister, and many other ministers and family members, were charged in court with corruption. This action brought news of hopes and joy for Malaysians expecting a clean and fair government. But, alas all hopes were dashed when the new government collapsed. Sadly, the collapse was orchestrated by a few members of the new government and some past ministers. Another new government was formed, headed by a former sacked DPM. Many politicians were also lured into jumping parties. It was a pity to see representatives voted in by the people switching sides because of personal interests. This action broke the hearts of many voters. And, the new government made up mainly of shenanigans also collapsed miserably. A power struggle ensued after the PM resigned and there was so much confusion among Malaysians. Malaysians were sad at the sorry state of affairs created by politicians. There was another round of negotiations with the King and once again the lead was taken over by a senior minister of the collapsed government. It was back to square one as the new team had almost the same faces but only a different leader.
The Covid 19 pandemic has created a lot of destruction for Malaysians. Many were out of a job and had difficulty putting food on the table. Many businesses were also closed due to the lockdowns. And, to make matters worse, prices of everyday goods and services skyrocketed. It was a very difficult time for Malaysians. The government came in to help but it was not enough. People were still having difficult times but sadly our ministers did not react positively to the miseries of Malaysians. They were still haggling and going for each other’s throats. And this does augur well for Malaysia. Political stability is one important point to attract investors but our politicians were doing otherwise. Till today, as I write this article the government is still not stable. So, the big question is what is the quality of ministers we have in Malaysia? What kind of politicians do we have?
Politics is not doing the things right but doing the right things. Politicians should work for the betterment of the society they are representing. Statesmanship is an important feature every politician must-have. He cannot just be a politician which means he must have integrity and discipline to stand up for what is right. He must be accountable in all ways, even if it means resigning a position in the government for the sake of upholding a principle. But, is this happening in Malaysia? I just don’t think so.
Having responsible politicians in the government is vital. Responsibility is one of the most important leadership qualities. Politicians are the decision-makers in the country, state and in society. They are the people who look after and distribute the economic resources in the country as well as create relationships with society. They have also been entrusted to make important decisions that have a great impact on the well-being of the country. A progressive country needs responsible politicians. We can’t have politicians who jump political parties just because he is being threatened or given monetary incentives. We have seen this happening in our midst, and so are our politicians responsible? Many are not. They are only there to fill their pockets.
Our country is in great debt. Although the economy is picking up it is not enough to strengthen the ringgit. The value of the ringgit is deteriorating so a lot of foreign exchange will be lost. We are also at risk because there are so many foreign workers sending billions of ringgit back to their homeland. Investors are also moving away probably because of the instability of the government which is hanging on a thin thread. Are we going in the right direction? Malaysians please answer.
Many people’s opinions are that we are in the current dilemma because of Malaysians themselves. Mark Skousen says, ” We shall never change our political leaders until we change the people who elect them.” So, it’s important as Malaysians we choose the right leader who can create changes. We should elect leaders who have the ability and capability to make a difference and add value to society. We should discard self-centered shenanigans who cheat and steal money that belongs to the citizens. In the coming election please make the right decision. Make a logical decision.
Palaniappan Karuppan is a content writer under Headliner by Newswav, a programme where content creators get to tell their unique stories through articles and at the same time monetize their content within the Newswav app.
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