The rumour mills are grinding again, sparking suspicions of yet another political coup in the works.
However, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has brushed them aside, like any good PM is expected to do.
Can we allow our politicians to consider such a coup when we have a legally sanctioned “unity government”?
Yet, we should remain wary, as it has become a trend in Malaysia for such rumours to turn out to be true.
The country is already under great stress, having to face multiple challenges and to rebuild and repair the abuse and the neglect of past governments. It has to make critical improvements on the political, economic, social and environmental fronts.
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If we need reminding, we are still a “third-world country”, which has been running on empty for years. We are still far from being self-reliant and self-sufficient.
The hopes we have pinned on “FDIs” (foreign direct investments) may be dashed anytime – in the event of geopolitical changes or hegemonic confrontations between superpowers.
Today any attempt to review or reform weaknesses in the fundamental structures of the country – such as installing an impartial judiciary, reviewing our outdated human rights policies, reconsidering our racial policies, curtailing religious exploitation and bigotry or dismantling the systemic corruption in the country – is viewed with suspicion.
The decades of preferential politicking in the country have bred and instituted a complex culture of corrupt systems.
Even setting a realistic or liveable minimum wage sees resistance from the business community.
The proposal to increase employers’ monthly contribution to workers’ retirement savings in the Employees Provident Fund also faces a wall of resistance.
The unity government is itself riddled with politicians and warlords who have only self-interest at heart.
Today, even convicted criminals dare to seek pardons after barely serving time.
With all these threats, the country could sink deeper and deeper into an unstable state of bitter feuds and enmity. This does not augur well for the country, which is desperately trying to emerge from the woods.
Amid all this, we hear rumours of a political coup. The uncertainty generated from the opposition bloc’s political wheeling and dealing is not helping the country at all.
With all these internal and external challenges, the government faces relentless pressure. Unscrupulous politicians seem to want nothing less than to topple the government.
When the urgency and the compass for nation-building is ignored or dismissed by these ruthless politicians, our future as a progressive nation is threatened.
Democracy will eventually die if we allow crooked politicians to hijack the agenda of the nation and to topple a legitimate, elected government.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
