Early glimpses of the new government don’t look good

Nearly one month in and we can clearly see the signs of what is to come

We are not even one month into this new government and we are already starting to see clear signs of what it will look like. This is certainly not going to be any type of ‘reformasi’ government.

Anwar Ibrahim’s administration is starting to appear to be more of the same. Its conservative, non-reactive to opportunities, on the arrogant side, ignores meritocracy, expanding Islamization, and contributing to inflation, rather than trying to reduce it.

There are signs of potential conflict, and we have already seen backflips.

This is not to say there haven’t been some good signs. Anthony Loke in transport appears to be doing a great job.

However, with clear statements that any local government elections are off the table, dampens any ‘reformasi.’ Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who lost his seat of Kulim-Bandar Baru in the recent election and is now home minister has refused to abolish or even amend Sosma, in an arrogant manner.

Then the recent court decision to award RM 5 million to Altantuya’s family, admitting government collusion in the murder, should have been a great opportunity for Anwar to announce the reopening of the investigation of Altantuya’s murder, and the disappearance of others. No such commitment to seek justice and the truth was made.

The addition of ministers and deputy ministers to the cabinet from those who lost their seats, or failed to win one is a slap in the face to those talented MPs in parliament who were passed over for the positions. Fauziah Salleh couldn’t even hold here seat, but was given a deputy ministership at someone else’s expense. Ketuanan Melayu finance minister Tenku Zafrul, who failed in trying to win a seat, was recycled into the trade minister and couldn’t even turn up for the first cabinet meeting.

Many talented people in parliament were passed over for these losers.

Newly appointed religious affairs minister Mohd Na’im Mokhtar plans to continue with the Syariah Court (Criminal Jurisdiction) Bill, empowering Islamic authorities to intrude into the lives of Muslim citizens even more. Rather than stemming back on the influence of political Islam, we are seeing more draconian measures put into Syariah law. PAS would be proud of such a move.

We see that monopolies are not going to be broken and disbanded. The same kleptocrats will remain in control.

The fight on the rising cost of living doesn’t look good with the new electricity tariff hikes that will flow on and increase the prices of everyday consumer goods. The new health minister Zalida Mustafa’s ideas to dish out free sanitary pads to ministry employees, who have some of the highest salaries in the country is not going to assist in the eradication of poverty.

Only a couple of days ago, all political appointees to government linked companies, known as GLCs were sacked. This was a popular move. Then a couple of days later deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reappoints Ahmad Jazlan Yaakub once again as Felcra chairman. What a backflip and sign of potential conflict within the cabinet.

All the goodwill that Zahid built up over the last two weeks is spent. Did the move to reappoint Ahmad Jazlan have Anwar’s tacit approval, or is this a sign of future rifts to come?

People will justifiably start to asking, what of this Anwar? Does he have the strength to run this government?

These are signs of what will be install for Malaysians. “Political considerations” seem to rule over wisdom and even common-sense. Some say this is to be expected as this administration wasn’t easy to patch together. However, little respect is being shown to those who put them in power.

Let’s hope this is not going to be just another government of mediocrity. The Rakyat deserve better.

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