I watched with interest as the Government of the day pushed for a declaration of a state of emergency. Many have said that this was done to avoid a vote of no confidence, while others view this as a requirement in order to reduce the recent politicking and horse trading (I would rather call it katak trading) between politicians so that the country can focus on tackling the current COVID-19 crisis.
The reality is that it does not matter right now as small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and daily traders are already hanging by a thread.
The last thing on their minds now is who is in power and what they represent but more who is going to pass down this budget and get us out of this mess.
According to SME Corporation Malaysia, SMEs make up 98.5% of the businesses in Malaysia, they employ about 7.4 million of Malaysians. With the loan memorandum gone, many SME business owners have resorted to cutting salaries and costs across their business, delaying the payment of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and as a last resort, firing staff to face the COVID-19 storm on their own.
Many, if not all, SME owners right now are not getting their own salaries and are pouring savings into their businesses to keep it afloat. Some have simply given up and closed down as they see no near end in sight.
Many of the ex-staffs that have been loyal to their employers for many years are now struggling and forced to find other jobs. In fact, we all have friends among us who are desperately looking for jobs.
The reality is we have been failed by the politics of our country. If the measures implemented are strictly enforced, a significant number of people would practice our national hobby, which is to complain. And if the measures implemented are too loose, we still complain!
It’s no wonder that those in power are left trying to please both sides and this results to something that is much worse: policies that are neither here nor there and so in the end, everyone complains.
I watched with interest as the Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Harun has said there have been over 16 no-confidence motions against PM Muhiyiddin.
It is understood that this comes from the MPs across the political divide but in my view, this goes against what the Agong expressed. His Royal Highness reminded all politicians to stop all forms of ‘politicking’ that can upset the stability of the country’s government.
The Agong also highlighted the importance of the upcoming Budget 2021 that is essential to provide funds to heal the country’s economy whilst ensuring sufficient funds for frontliners to carry out their duties.
The Budget 2021 debate is expected to be a fire storm, where politicians across the board will use this to further their own political ambitions for power.
We have already saw a few days ago, Najib Razak and DAP support Anwar’s push for power only to embarrassingly make a u-turn by throwing ultimatums at each other.
We have seen Zahid swap support for the PN Government for the Anwarled coalition only to go back and forth between support for both in a matter of hours.
If a vote of no confidence is carried out, it goes against the Agong’s wishes. If it does pass, the question is how long will this last for?
Will the next government survive another vote of no confidence? And if the Agong does not feel that the new Prime Minister carries the majority, does he not have to call for an election? Can we even afford an election right now?
While this is allowed in a parliamentary democracy, it is neither the time or the place for this. Malaysia is burning and our leaders are more concerned with jostling for power and katak trading rather than focusing on what’s key to us all right now: our jobs, our economy, the stability of the country and providing our frontliners with the funds and support they require to carry out their job effectively. – Oct 29, 2020
Winston Robertson
Concerned SME business owner
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
