LETTER | Who can save Malaysia?

LETTER | Perikatan Nasional has called themselves saviours through their strong support and endorsement for the “Save Malaysia” rally that just concluded a few days ago.

It seems like they have forgotten that they are the ones who are always attempting to tear the social fabric of Malaysia apart by constantly issuing extreme statements that undermine the rights and existence of the minorities.

No one would be afraid of the “Green Wave” if it is not led by a bunch of racial and religious extremists.

Meanwhile, as a response to the “Save Malaysia” rally, Federal Territories Umno information chief Gulam Muszaffar has jumped out to protect his party chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi by crediting the latter as Malaysia’s saviour who ended the post-GE15 political deadlock.

In his view, Zahid’s commitment to realising the current structure of the unity government “saved Malaysia”.

He seems to forget the fact that the unity government came together as a political decision to share power.

No one could guarantee that Pakatan Harapan would never work with PN if Umno did not come forward last year, given politics is the art of possibility.

Therefore, Zahid’s move to collaborate with Harapan to form the government is not “brave” but rather a desperate move for political survival, especially after BN’s gruesome defeat.

He would need to answer both the elite leaders and grassroots members of BN if he could not secure any power or positions for the remaining winners.

Moreover, Umno’s participation in the federal government has become one of the biggest reasons for the “Green Wave” gaining momentum in Harapan’s strongholds.

Their presence has also tied up the reformists’ hands. The reformists within the government would need to see their faces before proposing any reforms that may go against their interest as a conservative racial party.

Thus, we see old practices being brought back and the government’s promise to eliminate corruption and good governance fading away from our sight.

You call this “saving Malaysia”?

To be frank, I do not expect any crucial reforms to be completed or even sophisticatedly planned within this term.

At this point, all I wish for is the government to manage the economy well so that the people’s lives get better.

There is a third force at the federal level now, with Muda quitting the government bloc following Zahid’s discharge not amounting to acquittal.

Since then, its president Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman has been making headlines through his strong criticisms of the government’s lackadaisical effort in fulfilling its election promises.

Finally, there is a third party existing in the spectrum that does not align with any of the big coalitions.

However, how strong can Muda be, with only one parliamentary and one state seat?

When they refrained from participating in the dual by-elections in Johor, I knew that something was wrong with their political strategising.

They participated in the six state elections, which they absolutely had no chance to win, but withdrew from their possible strongholds in Johor.

Muda needs to be politically strong to have enough say that could really raise tremendous social impact, like when PN leaders fork out their extreme statements.

Other than that, Muda will remain as a “COTNA” (Can only talk, no action).

So, given the current political scenario, who is there to save Malaysia?

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.