AS an ordinary citizen of Malaysia, like everyone else, I wish to see a stable Government administering our beloved nation.
Due to a massive swing in voters’ sentiments, we saw Pakatan Harapan dislodging Barisan Nasional in the last general election.
However, vested interests took precedence soon after and the voters’ mandate was betrayed via the infamous Sheraton Move, which brought forth a new coalition called Perikatan Nasional led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
However, karma has its way in dealing with treacherous people and Muhyiddin got ousted by the very party he worked with to dislodge Pakatan; UMNO. Later, UMNO vice president Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob took over as the new prime minister.
Due to the political upheavals in the last two years following the Sheraton Move, our economy is in shambles as foreign investors are losing confidence in our policy makers. On Feb 8, 2021, the United Nations (UN) itself said that Malaysia was losing foreign investments due to political uncertainty.
However, economic woes are not our only plight. We also have students who had their education affected due the COVID-19 lockdowns, with the Education Ministry (MOE) having little to no idea at all on how to help our students to get back on their feet, in terms of their education.
All in all, I dare say our problems are caused by opportunistic politicians, who have no regard whatsoever of national interest but only care for position and power.
Hence, I appeal to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob to hasten the passing of the anti-hopping law. This is one major step in ensuring the electoral process no longer gets sullied by self-serving politicians.
Our young nation needs political stability to become a developed nation. We cannot afford to have low-class elected leaders holding our country to ransom just to appease their vested interest.
And I trust you sir, Mr Prime Minister, will have the moral fortitude needed to get this Bill passed by the Legislature…even if some in your administration are opposed to it.
Once this law is in place, voters will have confidence again in the electoral process and perhaps, turn out in droves to make their votes count once the 15th General Election is called.
And I sincerely hope you will do the right thing for our country, Mr Prime Minister. – May 31, 2022
V Pappa Raidu is the chairman of the Malaysian Indian Voice.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
