Echoes of Defeat: Five Things Anwar Must Do!

Alarm bells at Sungai Bakap and other places must be heard and reflected. Clearly, many among the ethnic minorities are no longer willing to give PH their undivided support. But because many of them feel they do not have a political alternative they are comfortable with; they may stay out of by-elections.

The ethnic majority, the Malays, have no such qualms about voting for the opposition, so they switched their support from Umno or PH to Perikatan Nasional. It is not a PN triumph at Sungai Bakap but a PH collapse. 

Source: https://www.wikiimpact.com

So here are some suggestions put forward by Anil Netto for Anwar to recapture support.

(i) Don’t take reforms for granted

Speed up the pace of institutional reforms. Remove non-performing ministers, including the one for education. 

Are candidates for key positions reviewed by a parliamentary committee before they are appointed? Try to understand Bersih chair’s F score and do something about those institutional and electoral reforms. Work with civil society instead of treating them like the ‘enemy’.

(ii) Focus on People’s Agenda

Raise the people’s quality of life, especially the lower-income group of all ethnic backgrounds. Revamp the education curriculum, hire the best teachers and increase public confidence in government schools.

Reduce the long waits in government hospitals. In private conversations, many complain bitterly about long waiting times in general hospitals. These things matter in shaping public opinion. So, review the salaries of specialists and doctors to stem the brain drain.

To further ease the pressure on public hospitals, pay attention to long-neglected preventive healthcare. Get manufacturers to cut down on excessive sugar and salt in processed food and drinks, maybe the ‘sugar” tax be increased and/or widened. Educate the public about boosting natural immunity with a balanced diet (fibre, fruit and vegetables) and exercise. Consider the role of traditional medicine and remedies.

The removal of blanket subsidies in favour of targeted subsidies looks set to raise inflation. A sharp hike in fuel prices will surely increase the cost of living and hurt the people. So, go easy on this. Take a more gradual approach. Why not remove subsidies only for those with luxury cars or cars with engines above, say, 2,000cc for now? Anyway, are we not a net exporter of oil? So where does the surplus go?

Meanwhile, improve public transport and “first mile, last mile” connectivity.

Introduce wealth taxes, Tobin tax and progressive or excess profit taxes. 

Raise the minimum wage for workers. RM1,500 is simply not enough. Work towards a minimum living wage (above RM2,500). Look into the struggles of the working class, including the plight of delivery personnel.

Focus on boosting food security for the nation. Stop the forced evictions of farmers from their farmlands.

And tackle the problem of youth unemployment by providing skills training to make them more independent.

(iii) Stop Kowtowing to the Bigots

Anwar used to say: “Anak Melayu anak saya, anak Cina anak saya, anak India anak saya, anak Kadazan anak saya dan anak Iban anak saya.”

But can he say that with a straight face now? And if he can, will the people accept what he says now? The PM needs to become more inclusive and grow a spine – based on his own Madani (civil and compassionate) principles.

In a string of recent controversies (KK Super Mart, cardiothoracic specialists, student quotas), the government’s stand (or lack of it) disappointed many among the minorities. As for the ethnic Malays who may still be feeling insecure, empower them through education by revamping the quality of education and the curriculum and providing them more skills training. Improve the conditions in rural schools and schools in depressed areas. And try to regulate the Madrasah schools and the sekolah tahfiz.

It is time for Anwar to try out new, more inclusive strategies. Don’t meekly give in to the loudest or shrillest voices. Cut the rhetoric and walk the talk. Imagine an enlightened, progressive Malaysia and work towards that vision.

(iv) Fight Corruption from the Top Down

Yes, we have seen the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission being more active of late. But has it captured the public imagination or is the public still cynical or sceptical? Perhaps that cynicism is due to the lack of big fish hauled up or a perception of selective action.

The rot starts from the top. Make the MACC truly independent so that it can rein in the sharks – the corrupt politicians and business leaders who are dragging Malaysia down. Cleanse the government and civil service – especially at the highest levels.

(v) Stop Relying so Heavily on Foreign Investments

Yes, the country needs investments. But consider domestic investments and especially small and medium businesses as well. Encourage and support local entrepreneurship instead of relying too much on foreign investment.

If Malaysia is to have a vibrant people-powered democracy, it needs to shake off the influence and grip of Big Tech, Big Pharma and Big Capital. The global firms are driven by huge profits and shareholder returns with tentacles around the world.

Many political leaders and MPs may have lost touch with the masses. After all, with their high salaries and allowances (and fat – perhaps multiple – pensions!), they can afford comfortable lifestyles. Many are chauffeur driven in fancy cars, so they don’t see what ails our public transport system. Can you travel without your police escorts and sirens? Many can afford prompt specialist attention at private hospitals, so they don’t see the long queues in government hospitals. They send their children to private or international schools. Rising food and fuel prices won’t dent their budgets.

When politicians lose touch with the masses and don’t appear to support the People’s Agenda, the masses can sense it. That is why the privileged Sunak and his well-heeled colleagues were booted out. While the working class in Britain were struggling, the number of billionaires in the UK soared. 

So, before the masses rise, please take the “wind out of the sails” – solve them and if it means ejecting a political party from PH then just do it! Have a spine Brother Anwar!

Reference:

Echoes of defeat: Five things Anwar must do to win back Malaysia’s trust, Anil Netto, ALIRAN, 9 July 2024