M. Krishnamoorthy
A media coach, associate professor, and an author
Happy 1ST Anniversary as PMX.
Come 24th November, will mark Anwar Ibrahim’s 1st year as PM. He walked into office saddled with Trillions in debt, corrupt civil service opposition triggered racism and religious fanaticism.
It is indeed a mammoth task to inherit and manage a Government with Trillions in debts. Worse still, an inefficient, corrupt, divided, and bloated civil service in its first year in office.
Expecting PMX Anwar Ibrahim to turn around Malaysia following the cumulative damage over the past 66 years in one year is indeed irrational
1. Dr M failed to rid of bribery
Two-term PM Dr Mahathir Mohamad for 24 years contributed to the economic malaise of Malaysia. An Umno leader has denounced Dr. Mahathir Mohamad’s refusal to accept responsibility for the party’s “culture of bribery” as “hypocrisy”, saying the former Umno president did nothing to tackle the problem when in office.
Umno Youth permanent chairman Wan Agyl Wan Hassan said as president at the time, Mahathir had both “the power and the duty” to take all steps to combat corruption within the party.
“He was the one who controlled everything and could have put a stop to any wrongdoing,” he said last week.
2. PMX first year
Anwar’s first year in office since 24th November 2023, his Cabinet has achieved success in some areas and failed in most areas. Can we blame Anwar? No! Because he inherited the debts from nine PMs before him.
3. Cabinet
He entrusted his Cabinet with responsibilities, but most of them failed to deliver, self-trapped in many issues. Overall, the first year was spent in trying to put out fires affecting race, religion, and unreasonable issues raised by opposition.
An imminent and drastic Cabinet reshuffle with the right wise leadership should steer the nation on the right path to economic growth and success. If dramatic changes are not made, Malaysia is headed for doom and gloom. A professor commented if there is no drastic change in the Cabinet line-up without fear or favour, mediocre-thinking ministers will not be able to meet people’s needs and wants. Therefore, Anwar must make drastic changes, picking technocrats, street-smart, and people-friendly ministers. Drop the corrupt, lazy, and racist ministers.
Anwar and his new Cabinet will have to encounter many challenges ahead of them for the next four years. Many Malaysians will want him to be level-headed in selecting a Cabinet based on merit, leadership, experience, and expertise. Selection aligned to race and religious leanings will be disastrous and may run the risk of losing in GE16. My personal dream of Anwar being a two-term Prime Minister will be shattered.
4. Weak civil service
M Santhananaban is a retired ambassador with 45 years of public sector experience without any political affiliations said the bureaucracy is bloated. Accustomed to some mollycoddling, praise, and periodic salary revisions will eat into the resources of the nation.
“It was not accustomed to strict disciplinary action or measures on performance and productivity. Productivity, meritocracy, and truthfulness became secondary to obedience, and the need to get along with superiors and political bosses.” Fire them if they are corrupt and don’t waste resources of going to court, as Government rules have provisions for termination.
5. Lack of foresight and planning
Human Resources has not devised a plan to reduce the number of foreign workers, either. Over the medium term, the number must be trimmed. Remittances in Billions of Ringgit, by foreign workers to their home countries do not help Malaysia’s economy or society. Among several other drain of the nation’s funds, nipping it must be the Cabinet’s priority.
“The government, both in its internal and foreign policymaking, seems to be in a state of confusion. Far too much religion has been brought into government, affecting areas like education, healthcare, intercommunity relations, sports, and cultural activities.
“Apart from Sabah and Sarawak, the rest of the country seems to function like an appendage of some orthodox Arab Muslim nation with dress codes, use of Arabic terms, and an unscientific, unrealistic interpretation of events in West Asia,” said Santhananaban in his comment published in Aliran.
6. Anwar on Foreign Relations
Anwar speaking for Malaysia said, ASEAN should not be caught in a Cold War mindset, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasised the need to come together and collaborate. He said the need to work together during “chaotic and complex” times had made the meeting between US President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit.
“It should send a clear message that we are able to work together and trust each other to resolve serious problems such as climate change,” he said during a question-and-answer session at the 30th APEC CEO Summit titled The Global Economy and State of The World.
7. Mismatched skilled manpower
“Can we continue to cope with more mismatched people for the nation’s workforce? We need a reasonable number of English-speaking locals, a well-rounded and educated workforce, and enhanced mutual trust and understanding among the people,” said Santhananaban. Pushing Malay will make Malaysia insular and will not help in globalisation.
8. Focus on domestic problems
Malaysia must not be besieged or betrayed by the way these distant and disturbing issues in the Middle East and instead focus on resolving domestic issues.
Malaysia must not be perceived as exposing the country to new, novel, and dangerous attacks and threats to the United States economic sanctions. Backing terrorists and freely allowing Palestinians may create problems like what Bangladeshis are asking for the declaration of Sungei Buloh zoned only for them. Many European and Middle Eastern countries are keeping Palestinians out.
9. Anwar suffered in prison
No other Malaysian PM suffered what Anwar went through in life. To rise to the pinnacle, Anwar endured humiliating prison conditions for about 10 years, which moved Malaysians.
He was beaten, tortured, and served stale food in solitary confinement. Anwar’s agonising pain, suffering, grief, and loneliness in prison did not break him emotionally. His hopes and dreams of being PM dimmed after being sentenced to jail three times.
Yet, his will, vision, and humanity shone through his mind, soul, and heart on the road to Putrajaya. If our leaders can have the determination, will, and confidence to lead the nation without religious or racial bias, then Malaysia can see progress ahead of us. Malaysians need to learn, be inspired, and be determined like Anwar despite whatever hardships they endure. He has been in office for only one year and inherited previous leaders who have stolen the people’s wealth over 66 years. Let’s hope the next four years will lead the nation to recovery and economic progress.
Freelance Writer M. Krishnamoorthy (www.imkrishna.net) is a media coach, associate professor, and undercover journalist. He has freelanced with Bernama, NST, The Star, and Malaysiakini. He also freelances as a fixer/coordinator for CNN, BBC, German and Australian Television networks, and the New York Times. As an undercover journalist, he has highlighted society's concerns going undercover as a beggar, security guard, blind man, disabled salesman and Member of Parliament.
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