The chaotic political situation

 

Writer: Dominic Lau Hoe Chai

Oriental Daily, Feb 26, 2016

Several vexing issues cropped up recently have highlighted the Government’s erratic stand which changes by the day. Good examples are the sudden suspension of the intake of 1.5 million foreign workers, the row over Bahasa textbooks for Chinese primary schools as well as GST collection on pre-paid phone cards. All these have exposed the government’s indecisive and unprofessional image. To the ordinary people, they could only sigh and hope that such conditions can be a thing of the past quickly and the days of peace and stability will not be far off.

As our political condition is in chaos, it cannot be denied that Malaysia needs reformation and leaders who dare not reform are guilty of negligence of duties. If the leaders are interested only in their power, their own interest and agenda, even if there is a reform, it would be half-hearted and would not succeed. It is not easy to carry out reformation in politics, but it has to be done and it should not remain only on paper.

All this while, I have been strict with myself to keep my cool in realizing my political ideal regardless of what has happened in the ruling or opposition camps. I say no to procrastination and no to impulsiveness, no matter how lonely I feel.

I failed in the 13^th general election but I am trying to stand up again. I admitted I have not done enough, or thoroughly. Many times I just take a cursory look and have not really gotten in touch with people, to understand their problems and follow up in relieving their pains and anxiety.

In recent years, I have been busy running around in Gerakan constituencies as well as my own in Batu where I was defeated. I was in touch with people at different levels to understand their problems and to personally experience their difficulties. I feel that a politician must take consideration based on people’s perspective.

Our 1Malaysia concept is based on the principle of “People first, Performance now.” It tells us clearly that those who win the hearts of the people rule the country. Why then we lost? I believe that if the concept remains only as a slogan and has not been put into practice, we will find it difficult to win in elections.

When a policy is applied to people’s life, such a policy must bring about greater convenience to the majority of people. On the contrary, when a policy burdens the people, it would cause grievances and resentment. In the three years after the 505 general election, many things have happened in the political, economic, education and cultural spheres. Gerakan has its own view and stand in many of these issues. As our party president says, “We don’t want to be part of the problem, we want to have solutions.”

Gerakan wants to be a party that can solve problems and not just talk only.  On this, I have my own understanding and experiences. Our focus is whatever we do, big or small, as long as we can rally some reform forces to change our country, then our work in all these years are worthy. I have always reminded myself, I would not betray or disappoint the people and party, regardless of how much or how little is my work.

To change Malaysia for the better and to give our people a better tomorrow, Gerakan has rallied a reformation group. Even if we may anger certain strong partners like UMNO in Barisan on certain issues, we will persist; we will not compromise or give up because we must do what is right. I am hopeful that this group of people will grow in the party and I am hopeful of seeing reformation although it may take some times. I am absolutely sure that this people would not destroy Barisan but they will present themselves as reformists and leave their mark in Malaysia’s history.

As the ruling party, we must ensure that Malaysians are optimistic about their future because this is our duty and our contract with the people. We don’t want slogan; we want the true realization of 1Makaysia because we are all Anak Malaysia!