The nation has no place for recalcitrant politicians who do not provide good leadership, says Mohamed Arshad Raji.
It is disgusting to see political infighting within Pakatan Harapan right after the Tanjung Piai by-election where the people sent a clear message that something is seriously wrong with the ruling coalition.
The people have had enough of the intra-coalition bickering and political manoeuvring over the prime minister’s succession that is threatening to destroy the coalition and, with it, thrash whatever hopes remain for a new Malaysia.
Economic issues deserve more attention and political leaders must get cracking now.
Patriot has mentioned in our previous statement that the succession issue should be left to the Pakatan Harapan Presidential Council, and all politicking and horse-trading for support between rival groups, scheming and secret meetings must stop.
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There are far too many national issues that need attention. Our nation has no place for recalcitrant politicians who do not provide good leadership in their respective portfolios, who are not proactive but rather react after a problem has arisen and who are good only at playing politics. If politicians have a conscience they should be ashamed after the Tanjung Piai voters have spoken.
In line with the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, our people of all ethnic groups must be made to feel empowered, to patriotically contribute to our nation’s gross domestic product and towards nation-building. Our economic progress has been plagued by a declining standard of education, lack of innovation and skills and stagnating productivity growth.
Cabinet members must take leadership to empower our people by raising the standard of education to prepare them for the fourth industrial revolution with focus on Internet of Things and artificial intelligence.
With progress in science and technology, along with an educated and technically minded populace capable of earning much higher income, our nation will soon be a high-income nation, escaping from the current middle-income trap since 1992.
But when political leaders fight for positions and use their art to scheme, to outdo rival groups and to make secret pacts with opposition politicians; when they are ignorant of a realistic poverty line, ignorant of the Orang Asli in poverty when those in Pos Simpor have to beg for food supplies; when they are suspicious of other ethnic groups or treat them as enemies; when they are indifferent to the depressing world economic trend that will inevitably have a negative impact on our people’s socioeconomic welfare, we as a nation are as good as the living dead. We are devoid of pride and honour.
When politicians care for nothing else but politicking to secure power, it tells us of greed, power-craziness, selfishness, indifference and incompetency.
Our country was once in the same league as Japan, South Korea and Singapore in the 1970s in terms of GDP and per capita income. While these countries have progressed to become high-income nations, ours lags behind to see our leaders champion ethno-religious politicking. What a crying shame.
Enough is enough of political infighting. Focus on economic issues now.
Retired Brigadier General Dato Mohamed Arshad Raji is president of Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan (the National Patriots Association).
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
How many of elected reps are interested in own country’s economic issues ore even aware of values including ETHICS-INTEGRITY-ACCOUNTABILITY-PRINCIPLES as most politicians in most countries when there main interest may be self-enrichment via whatever means?
The absent MPs during Malaysian Parliamentary Sittings as is visible on live coverage on TV may give the perception that the absentees [except those with prior approval] may be more interested on personal matters and the high remuneration packages.
The sincerity, honesty & unity to build Malaysia shown by PH prior to GE14 really got the trust & votes of the nation to win and overthrow BN. After winning and forming the Cabinet majority PH leaders are now a proof of what 3rd class politicians perform like;
Power crazy, bickering, back stabbing, unpolished statements, poor judgement, meaningless comments, selfish & already becoming incompetent leaders for the Rakyat.
Do they realize the rakyat pays for their Salary, Allowances, Medical care, Clothing, Overseas trips, staff salary, house, car, petrol, utility bills and food???????
Reminder; The rakyat can Hire & Fire Politicians.