|
When Barack Obama was elected the President and when the financial crisis is sweeping the globe, what issues are Malaysians dealing with? What are we quarrelling about?
The current financial tsunami happens to be more serious than the financial crisis in 1997. Meanwhile, the first Black President-elect reflects that the world is asking for changes. Malaysians should think about how to deal with it. When the Finance Minister announced the RM7 billion economic stimulus package, the Opposition focused on the question of whether it complies with procedures, instead of whether the amount of is sufficient or how to implement it. When the whole world is cheering the first black President-elect of the United States, we are still emphasising skin colours and language issues. Similar to the Chinese community, the extension of the tenure of New Era College's principal has consumed too much of time and energy. It has also highlighted the Chinese preoccupation with internal fighting. | "The lack of quality would be a deadly blow to the country." |
More than a decade ago, when I was assigned to cover parliamentary stories, I have seen the chaotic scene of dispute between MPs from the ruling and opposition parties. But when the Speaker asked them to sit down, they would comply with a smile. Today, the parliament is still a mess. Recently, four Pakatan Rakyat's MPs were expelled from the House. Filthy languages like "bastard" and "bloody bastard" could be heard and even the session was forced to adjourn. Although BN no longer holds two-thirds majority seats in the House, MPs are still unable to discuss, legislate and check and balance the professional way. The crux of the problem is the lack of quality of Malaysians MPs. A political party must first obtain more than half of the parliamentary seat before gaining the federal regime in Malaysia, but the government commands the Parliament and the Parliament has never questioned the government. And the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has never revealed any improper practice throughout its review of the government's accounts and transactions. Today, many MPs debate only on side issues and sickeningly disgusting jokes that again and again, extend the session time but come out with no substantive results. This is the country's political tragedy. Politicians focus only on disputes to gain cheap political propaganda. And they just focus on the surface when dealing with an issue, causing no progress for themselves and the country's politics. The outside world is fast changing. We can only respond to challenges by adjusting ourselves and changing our thinking. For example, Americans immediately correct it when they found they had chosen the wrong President and the country was headed in the wrong direction. This reflected the strong foundation of the United States. But Malaysians are not aware of the crisis. The lack of quality would be a deadly blow to the country. The global financial tsunami comes together with an enormous impact and changes. If we do not change, the world will change us. But such a result will cost a heavy price. (By LIM SUE GOAN/ Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/ Sin Chew Daily)
 |
The Blogs 
