Kuala Lumpur: Political maturity among leaders of the two major national coalitions in the Unity Government – Gabuingan Rakyat Sabah and Pakatan Harapan - must continue to be strengthened to safeguard political stability and ensure the country’s development remains on track.
Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said Malaysia’s post-one-party-dominance political landscape, which is the country’s new political landscape, required all parties to strike a balance between political interests and the greater responsibility of nation-building.
He said his experience serving in the Cabinet as one of its “newcomers” had shown that differences in political views did not necessarily prevent cooperation in government administration.
“As an ‘observer’ who is not directly involved in the new dynamics between the two major national political coalitions in the Madani Unity Government, I am honestly impressed and grateful for the political maturity shown by my Cabinet colleagues.
“Although party leaders outside the Cabinet have been trading barbs over the past few months, their relationships and interactions during Cabinet meetings have remained harmonious, constructive and professional,” he said in conjunction with National Day celebrations here on Aug 31.
Armizan, who is also Papar MP, said the experience underscored the need for political and party interests to be balanced with the responsibility of building the nation.
He said government stability was crucial to ensuring that the mandate arising from the Unity Government Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding signed on Dec 16, 2022, could be fulfilled.
“The events between 2018 and 2022, when the country saw three prime ministers and three Cabinet line-ups in a single term, were not a good formula for building sustainable prosperity for Malaysia,” he said.
Meanwhile, Armizan said he also acknowledged that he had previously chosen not to involve himself in federal-level political polemics when engaging with communities in Sabah.
However, his experience in the Cabinet had made him realise that Malaysia was a “big home” that had to be jointly protected and developed.
“Although I come from a party and a smaller political home, I too have rights and responsibilities towards this beloved homeland,” he said.
He stressed that everyone, whether an ordinary citizen or a leader, had a role and responsibility towards the country.
Armizan said National Month celebrations provided an opportunity for Malaysians to strengthen their sense of togetherness and express gratitude for the peace and independence enjoyed by the country.
He said patriotism should not be confined to National Day celebrations on Aug 31, but should instead be reflected through a shared determination to build Malaysia’s future.
“Whoever we are — leaders, civil servants, business communities, civil society activists or members of the public — we each have a role to play in the nation’s system of governance.
“Regardless of our similarities or differences, this homeland belongs to every citizen, and that ownership comes with both rights and responsibilities,” he said.
