Is Anthony Loke’s Express Reform Agenda Real?

 

“As the Secretary-General of the party, I take full responsibility for the shortcomings and the failure of DAP to win any seats in the 17th Sabah State Election,” Loke said right after the Sabah election results were announced. Now, when Western leaders say they are taking full responsibility, you can usually expect a resignation letter the next day. When Japanese or Korean leaders declare it, the consequences may be even more severe.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Sabah

 

When Malaysian politicians say it, however, it probably just means they might have heard the word uttered somewhere. Maybe they read it in an article or saw it in a TV drama, thought it was a neat phrase and assumed that saying it would impress everyone.  

Loke returned with another declaration – this time promising that the DAP will “accelerate the reform agenda in the next six months”. After an emergency central committee meeting, he proudly announced: “After thorough reflection, we will compile all feedback received and work closely with the prime minister (Anwar Ibrahim) to accelerate the reform agenda over the next six months.” Is this a Tamil movie with Rajnikanth? 

The way Loke is promising reform to be delivered in six months, you’d think he and Anwar are already paragons of reform, fully refined, fully reformed. Reform is slow because we plebs are slow, we can’t keep up with the political aristocrats, and that is why the political aristocrats most graciously move at a slower pace just so that we can keep up.  

Now that Sabah voters have clearly told them they are dissatisfied with the pace of reform, Loke seems to suggest he and Anwar will finally run at full speed – like they are the Usain Bolts of Reformasi.  The delusion is stunning. Where does this delusion come from? 

This delusional attitude comes from three places:

 

·        Conceit – believing you’re far better than you really are

·        Ignorance – being completely clueless about the true scale of the obstacles

·        Disrespect – assuming successful nations reformed themselves through simple tricks you can imitate in half a year 

A person who thinks they can pass exam finals with a week of studying or become a millionaire through gambling usually ends up failing exams and owing Ah Longs. 

Nothing will change, it may actually get worse because when someone thinks reforms can be done in six months he needs medical help. Even if it is possible, why don’t he list the reforms that will be done within six months. In reality, expect the night to get darker or the rain to get heavier before any reforms are done! 

Reference:

Why Anthony Loke’s ‘express reform in six months’ is doomed to fail, Nehru Sathia Moorthy, Aliran, 4 December 2025