Anwar needs to sweep out his advisors and start with a clean slate
The dismissal of Wan Nurzila is a symptom of wider problems
The dismissal of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) chief strategic communications officer Wan Nurzila Abd Rahman is only a symptom of much deeper problems. Local media is touting interpersonal issues as the reason for her dismissal. Others around Putra Jaya are talking about internal disagreements, flip flopping, and internal politics.
There is also talk that some around Anwar are losing confidence in him and creating a toxic work environment within the PMO. Others are talking about the arrogance of some of Anwar’s private secretaries, that is counterproductive to Anwar’s cause. Still others are reporting the seeds of corruption and abuse of power are starting to germinate within the PMO, which needs to be nipped in the bud.
Anwar is already plagued with an unproductive cabinet, which is finding it very difficult to make wise and sound decisions within their portfolios. Ministers actually need to solve problems. To have these similar issues around Anwar’s inner circle is alarming, especially with 6 state elections, just around the corner.
The problem is not Anwar the man, but the poor advice given to him within the cocoon of the PMO. This leaves Anwar with little choice. He must get out the metaphorical broom and sweep the PMO clean.
Loyalty is one thing. Anwar doesn’t need yes people. He needs people who will tell him the truth, without fear or favour.
Anwar must quickly clean out his advisors before things get out of control. He must go back to his reformasi days, and get the assistance of those who were around him during those days. He must select those who always told him the truth, even if the truth is sometimes difficult to accept.
The cost of employing yes people will be the end of his administration. The administration’s problems are much deeper than just a cabinet reshuffle, most of the advisors must go too. Otherwise, Anwar’s administration will travel along a track of ineffectiveness and unpopularity, pleasing no one. Pakatan Harapan’s urban support base will just not go out to vote. While rural voters will vote for alternatives.
Government administration should not be about individuals accumulating power from their offices. Government administration must be about policy, which the Anwar government needs desperately.
Much of Wan Nurzila’s dismissal was concerned about the Madani message not getting out there. However, before the Madani message can go out, it must have deep substance, which no one has seen yet.
The dismissal of Wan Nurzila lets us know that Anwar knows there is a problem. Malaysians hope that Anwar can now go the full way and drain the swamp that is sucking him under. Â
Subscribe Below:
Anwar Ibrahim needs to practice what he preaches. The Xenophobia outside the PMO cannot be reflected within the PMO. What Anwar needs to pick up the courage to do is to bring in foreign advisors who are independent and not necessarily on a leash from the White House, the NED or Chatham House all of who funded his ascendancy for one reason or the other.
There is a playbook authored by his closest neighbour, Singapore from which he could tear out a few pages and educate himself with on the run. Quoting Shakespeare (out of context often) may impress those around him. But it does not make for good leadership or pay the piper.
Shock and awe is sometimes a good way to start. Malaysians have become too complacent and seem to thrive in an environment of lies, rumours, exaggeration and corruption. The problem is they've done it for so long they can't tell the difference between vice and virtue. Their legal fraternity is a glaring example of the point.
The opportunity to make a difference is with him. How he will avail himself of it and exploit it is up to him. Thus far he has been a man of pious platitudes and rhetoric. Like the roadrunner and the wily ole coyote he is now faced to face with the coyote and doesn't quite know what to do with it.
From the day PMX took office as PM, you and also the other bloogger Outsyed the Box whom I used to respect is now down the drain.
I read about nothing but negative articles after negative articles, critisism after criticism about this administration...even to the extend of can't wait for this admin to fall. As a follower of both of you, I can even 'feel' the hatred both of you have for Anwar.
Yes, I agree Anwar is no angel but looks like what both of you is subscibing is PAS ministers, Mahiaddin, and even Sabri is so, so much better than him. You mean to tell me you would prefer eg Hadi to be our next PM compare to Anwar? You mean to tell me he can do a better job running this country or even Mahiaddin is better From what I have read so far, looks like both of you would say yes to this.
Sorry, my respect for both of you whom I always thought are one of the better and intelligent ones in our blogging spheres has just gone down. the drain. I can't help but to think there might be some 'fishy' trnx or offerings to the both of you.