The Malaysian Insight

WHEN Malaysians voted on May 9, the majority took the courage to finally take a step to the unknown by voting out one government and replacing it with a veteran leader and his one-time critics and political foes.

It was a leap of faith made easy by the arrogance of kleptocrats and crooks.

Having said that, the Malaysians who supported Pakatan Harapan (PH) on May 9 understand the political realities of Malaysia but do not want this new Mahathir government to take the path of least resistance when making decisions.

It is simply unacceptable to say that the government will not table new laws in part because PH does not have a two-thirds parliamentary majority to ensure the legislation goes through. After all, PH still does not control the Senate.

The wrangling over the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) and the subsequent announcement not to ratify it is a case in point.

It appears to be a cop out statement from Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad and PH. Just as he says that functions and powers of the attorney-general will not be split because PH is unsure if the move will obtain the necessary support.

This is also a cop out. Surely the reasonable thing for a political movement that came to power on the back of a reform agenda is to take this reform to the summit of all change: Parliament.

If Barisan Nasional (BN) lawmakers don’t support any particular legislation, then voters will know how to teach them a lesson at the next general election.

More worrying perhaps is the nagging feeling that even some PH lawmakers may not support overhauling a system that has produced excesses, abuse of power and thieves.

Is Dr Mahathir now not confident that members of his front bench will support change?

That is a sad and disconcerting thought. – November 25, 2018.