Opposition’s divisive racial-religious agenda could erode investor confidence

In a coalition government, no single party or individual wields absolute authority in matters of government.

Instead, compromises provide the middle path to sustain the collective.

But several recent statements and observations are worrying, such as:

• A certain minister saying that obnoxious laws need to remain in the statute books
• The government’s inability to rein in recalcitrant employers flouting the law on the implementation of the minimum wage and the progressive amendments to the Employment Act 1955
• The appointment of ruling coalition politicians to helm government-linked companies and agencies

From this, it can only be surmised that the current administration is under siege to conform to the status quo. It also appears to be influenced by pull and push factors within the coalition, and the racial-religious-based polemics propagated by the opposition.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim heads a motley collection of political parties, including those carrying unsavoury baggage. He is obviously navigating a minefield in trying to appease his political partners while striving to bring about meaningful socioeconomic and political transformation.

Thus, it would be naive to expect the current “unity government” – not a Pakatan Harapan administration, mind you – to bring about quick changes since forming the government last November.

Anwar seems to have limited space to manoeuvre. He appears to want a holistic transformation of the existing system, including getting rid of political patronage. But he risks being dumped if he ruffles too many feathers.

So it looks as if he is adopting a guarded approach, premised upon the need to sustain his broad-based government.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Anwar has to walk a tightrope with utmost care, as any misstep could be disastrous. Given the many challenges confronting the nation, we cannot expect him to right the wrongs embedded in our decades-old political landscape overnight.

Having taken office during a tumultuous period – trillion-ringgit federal government debt, geopolitical upheavals, soaring cost of living, more households being pushed to low-income levels, the growing racial-religious drumbeat – Anwar must be tearing his hair to find solutions to these challenges. Yes, the government urgently needs to address the economic challenges confronting the nation.

But while that is the reality, the racial-religious polemics propagated by those seeking to dislodge the current administration could undermine investor confidence. This could lead to a decline in domestic and foreign direct investments and jeopardise job creation.

If the opposition parties are as patriotic as they claim to be, they should recognise the prevailing headwinds and act with a sense of responsibility.

Stoking the flames of a racial-religious agenda runs counter to the founding pillars on which our nation was built. The opposition parties should drop their damaging agenda instead of exploiting it for political mileage.

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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