YOURSAY | Time is of the essence for Anwar

YOURSAY | ’Be the prime minister that the masses desire and not just satisfy the few’.

Kit Siang: Anwar must speed up reforms as he may not have five years

Mazilamani: The intentions of veteran DAP leader Lim Kit Siang are praiseworthy but one must sit in the prime minister’s seat to remove the blocks and clogs in the administrative departments of the government before straightening matters and delivering the promises. This could take six months to a full year.

The civil service may already be teeming with pro-Malay and pro-PAS elements who must first be identified and removed. It is going to be challenging for ministers to overcome these impediments.

Surely Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim understands the resistance encircling him from known and unknown forces, particularly his bitter enemies, and he has to plough through them to deliver his promises.

But I am sure he will deliver them with the undivided and full support of his ministers and brethren MPs. All of them must understand one thing, this is the last chance that this government will get to walk safely through the "Red Sea" before it falls under the weapons of the "pharaoh's" army. This is the only chance destiny has generously given us.

IndigoSwan6963L: Reforms must start now while the team can focus on the economy. Get rid of the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) 2012 without delay. It is a double edge sword and it cuts both ways. Institutional reforms to remove policies that are detrimental to nation-building starting with education, and health care.

Remove cronyism and nepotism and monopolistic policies such as approved permits. Create a level playing field for all Malaysians. Inculcate and innovate talents to spearhead changes for growth, harmony, and prosperity. Listen to the advice from royalty to get rid of religious bigots from the political arena and maintain the harmony of our multi-racial society to make Malaysia a well-respected country. Religion should not be used as a political tool to waylaid others.

Do not let others dictate what is right or wrong. Care for the poor and needy. A good education must be available to all. Tackle inflation holistically. Be the prime minister that the masses desire and not just satisfy the few.

MS: Anwar has one shot at greatness. After 24 years of waiting during which time, he would have imagined all that he would do if he only had the chance, whether it is now or never. Whether he seizes the moment instead of piddling about with the trivial depends to an extent on whom he listens to and what his motivations are.

But as Lim rightly points out, time is not on his side, the plot to remove Anwar grows by the day and the patience of those who rooted for him will wear thin in no time.

GreenFalcon8572: Lim’s advice is quite applicable. Imagine if Pakatan Harapan worked fast to enact the anti-hopping law by 2019, then the Sheraton move would not have happened. Ensuring the judiciary’s independence, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) being answerable to Parliament, measures to ensure the Election Commission is unbiased, and so on will only strengthen the check and balances ensuring the country's democracy.

Taking a page out of Indonesian President Joko Widodo's books, perhaps work on legislation to ensure religion and racial tolerance so that extremist parties will not be able to benefit by selling their bigoted views to younger generations. Also, ensure all education and religious institutions teach about harmony rather than infuse people's minds with imaginary "enemies".

All these will lay down the foundation of a stronger nation while weakening parties with far-right views. Anwar is in power and should use his power to build the nation that he envisioned by first ensuring the foundations are laid and done quickly.

AnotherKomentar: Anwar and Harapan have limited political capital and goodwill as the new government pursues its painful reform agenda. There will be political costs that will affect the popularity of the Harapan government and the acceptance of Anwar as the prime minister, especially as Harapan has to contest for the middle ground Malay and to portray itself as not a stooge of DAP (coded word for Chinese).

These costs versus benefits effects were what the previous Harapan failed to appreciate which led to the Sheraton move. One suspects that Anwar will use his experience, guile, and charms to navigate the political minefield of the reform agenda.

BluePanther4725: Anwar has to clear up all the mess that BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) made for over 60 years. He will need much time, so he should focus on the most critical matters first like the economy and law and order.

It will be disastrous to let PN in again to create more mess and the people must stand up firmly against PN and any attempts of Sheraton Move 2.0. As for former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, he will gladly see Malaysia burn as long as he can benefit from it.

Milshah: While the speedy reforms are good, remember it's a unity government, not a Harapan government. Harapan supporters accept that they did not win the last general election. They are happy as long as PAS does not become the government. The reforms are a bonus. As long as PAS is not the government, they are okay. The lesser of two evils they say.

Anonymous9483: Lim, despite having retired, still acts and behaves like he is the one calling the shots. Change doesn't happen overnight. It is a gradual process. Malaysian politics is like a gigantic tanker in the sea, with waves hitting it on and off. Its enormous inertia means you can only change the tanker's course gradually.

Imagine if you shift it instantaneously, it will capsize immediately. No wonder DAP never really had any traction when you were at the helm.

MarioT: Lim and his vast and valuable experience in Malaysian politics, should be encouraging and helping the prime minister instead of issuing veiled warnings.

Anwar has many vultures outside waiting to pounce on him at the slightest opportunity and he certainly does not need your discouragement. Have a positive outlook to encourage the team to move forward.

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