CERTAIN quarters are calling out Prime Minister (PM) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to “stop behaving like the opposition leader” – likely triggered by Anwar’s probing of the potential squandering of billions worth of funds – allegedly associated with the previous government.
For example, we saw such criticism from former aides of the then PM who reportedly criticised Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail for saying he would discuss the allegations with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
Additionally, other issues have also been brought up such as the questionable funding sources for the recent general election campaigns, and directly awarded flood mitigation projects worth RM7 bil.
If these serious allegations hold water, they will no doubt make the people involved acting like cacing kepanasan (literally hot worms). It makes them anxious and uncomfortable. It is a given that such probing may leave some quarters to be in the hot seat. In any case, people are innocent until proven guilty. So, why the fuss?
Firstly, we are not talking about petty crimes. These are serious allegations and the involvement of staggering amounts. Secondly, it is wrong to state that Anwar has not been behaving like a “true” PM whatever that means.
It is unclear how these aides define a “real” PM – but if setting high standards, carrying the economic burden with the people, having his first order of business to look into the “tummy” economy and cost of living issues while simultaneously tackling potential mega corruption cases and scandals and balancing tricky cabinet dynamics to ensure stability don’t fit into their definition – then I don’t know what is.
Balancing act
Anwar set a high bar by example when he chose not to take salary despite helming two roles and was able to get the ministers to agree to a 20% salary reduction as a sign of sharing the economic burdens with the rakyat.
Additionally, within a short timeframe, we see efforts to drop the prices of eggs, with egg storage plans to ensure sustainable supply.
On top of this, given how gambling has serious impacts on society whereby it has been associated with addiction, bankruptcy, crime, family problems such as divorce and domestic abuse, and even suicide, Anwar’s administration reduced special lottery draws to just eight per year from 22 under the Perikatan Nasional (PN) reign. This is for the society’s benefit.
While focusing on the people, Anwar did not forget to look into potential misappropriation of funds, corruption and potential scandals which are all well within his role as PM and Finance Minister.
Thus, contrary to their statement, this is indeed one of the roles of the PM. It is wrong to think that uncovering scandals, corruptions, and fighting syndicates and cartels are simply the role of the opposition leader. If anything, this is a role for all lawmakers, what more for the PM and Finance Minister?
The fish rots from the head, and similarly, culture starts from the top. If Anwar wants to change the deep and widespread corruption culture, then it starts with him. Thus, Anwar is staying true to his brand of absolute rejection of corruption.
Understand that Malaysia has many issues, and Anwar is doing a tough balancing act. It has only been a few days and his priorities are very clear – people, people, people! And make no mistake that cleaning up a corrupt system is ultimately for the benefit of the people.
Innovation agenda
Democracy is hard work; addressing immediate term socio-economic issues is one thing. But repairing a broken system is even harder. While Anwar is doing what is good for the nation and the people, he is also cleaning up the mess left behind due to poor governance and integrity of the past.
Addressing near-term economic issues must go hand-in-hand with sowing the long-term seeds of change. Setting a new culture starts now and starts from the top.
Relatedly, such criticism begs the question: is this the first time some people know Anwar? It is inevitable that Anwar will carry his brand of reforms which whether one likes it or not, entails uncovering scandals and putting a stop to corrupt deals and practices.
Reforms have been the central message in Pakatan Harapan (PH) and their election manifesto. Hence, when they were voted into power, it only makes sense for the coalition to pursue what they have been fighting for.
Not to mention that it is also what a lot of voters wanted as evidently shown by PH garnering the highest share of popular votes. In other words, PH is not only staying true to its mission but is upholding the mandate of the people.
Moving forward, Anwar’s administration should look into the “Innovation Agenda” (IA) which has the potential to utilise his new mandate aimed squarely at social, institutional and economic challenges that demand the government’s most immediate attention.
The focus of IA shall be:
- Unity and tolerance: Only by espousing a common identity can the collective interest of society be served with new policies, initiatives and programmes designed to lift all the rakyat together.
- Radical transparency and good governance: Anwar’s contemporary ‘Reformasi’ movement means implementing genuine institutional reforms, moving towards an impact-oriented use of government resources that quantifies and measures outcomes and results.
- Curbing costs: Disintermediation of inefficiencies and breaking up monopolies should be the administration’s top priority, focusing on bloated value chains with restricted approved permits such as rice, sugar and other agricultural items.
- Food security: The government and agricultural GLCs (government-linked companies) must take the lead in investing and promoting the use of innovative technologies and sustainable practices in farming, fishing and livestock so that they become innovation industries.
- Digital transformation: Complementing local start-ups with internationally sourced IP (intellectual property) and knowledge transfer not only to create a thriving community and ecosystem in Malaysia but to also serve as a springboard into the exciting digital marketplaces in Southeast Asia.
- Sunrise technologies: Cleantech companies will surely become the largest enterprises in the world, replacing the tech giants in the not-too-distant future. The existential challenges of climate change are engendering a shift in consciousness in the way that humans balance their consumption with their environment.
- Foreign investment: Reverse Malaysia’s diminishing role as an investment destination of choice. Build up its public and private marketplaces and exchanges that it is worthy of attracting global funding sources looking for high quality, high tech, high-value investment returns.
Related to attracting foreign investments, there should be a revival of Malaysia as a destination for tourists which requires a full appreciation of the intersection between tourism, art and culture. The importance and magnitude of Malaysia’s creative industry in the world today must not be under-estimated.
The Innovation Agenda suggested above and being promoted by the new administration should be a holistic movement in which the government takes the lead to replace outdated and broken old systems at the pain points of society, institutions, and the economy.
Thus, Anwar’s administration has a clear and well-defined path. As shown above, the administration is doing all of it and setting up future waypoints. Thus, cleaning up remains a priority which must also be done in tandem. – Dec 15, 2022
Datuk Dr Rais Hussin is the president and CEO of EMIR Research, a think tank focused on strategic policy recommendations based on rigorous research.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
Main photo credit: Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Facebook
