It is disgusting to see political infighting within Pakatan Harapan right after the Tg Piai by-election where the people sent a clear message that something is seriously wrong with the ruling coalition. The people have enough of the intra-coalition bickering and political maneuvering over the succession of premiership that is threatening to destroy itself, and with it thrashes whatever hopes for a new Malaysia. Economic issues deserve more attention and political leaders must get cracking now.
Patriot has mentioned in our previous statement that the issue of premiership succession should be left to the PH Presidential Council and all politicking and horse-trading for support between rival groups, scheming and secret meetings must stop. There are far too many national issues that need attention. Our nation has no place for recalcitrant politicians who do not provide good leadership in their respective portfolios, who are not proactive but rather react after a problem has arisen, and good only at playing politics. If politicians have a conscience they should be ashamed after the Tg Piai voters have spoken.
In line with the Shared Prosperity Vision 2030, our people of all ethnic groups must be made to feel empowered, to patriotically contribute to our nation’s gross domestic product and towards nation building. Our economic progress has been plagued by declining standard of education, lack of innovation and skills, and a stagnating productivity growth. Cabinet members must take leadership to empower our people by raising the education standard, to prepare them for the Industrial Revolution 4.0 with focus on Internet-of-Things and Artificial intelligence. With progress in science and technology, along with an educated and technically minded populace capable to earn much higher income, our nation will soon be a high-income nation escaping from the current middle-income trapped since 1992.
But when political leaders fight for positions, use their art to scheme to outdo rival groups, and make secret pact with opposition politicians; ignorant to realistic poverty line; ignorant about the orang asli in poverty when those in Pos Simpor have to beg for food supply; suspicious of other ethnic group or treat them as enemies; indifferent to the depressing world economic trend that will inevitably has a negative impact on our people’s socio-economic welfare; we as a nation is as good as a living dead. We are devoid of pride and honour. When politicians care for nothing else but politicking to secure power, it sure tells of greed, power-crazy, selfishness, indifference, and incompetency.
Our country was once in the same league as Japan, South Korea and Singapore in the 1970s in terms of GDP and per capita income. While these countries have progressed to high-income nations, ours lags behind to see our leaders champion in ethno-religious politicking. What a crying shame.
Enough is enough of political infighting. Focus on economic issues now.
BG Dato Mohamed Arshad Raji (Rtd)
President, Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan
www.patriotkebangsaan.org.my
