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The people are facing the problems of corruption, crime and price hike in their daily lives. It is meaningless to talk about “People First” without solving these problems. By LIM SUE GOAN/Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE/Sin Chew Daily
How is Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak going to implement the new policies to achieve his ruling goal 100 days after taking the office? We are looking forward to his 100-day speech, which is going to be delivered in the morning of 11 July, to see whether there is any other good news or policy direction. Najib’s principles of governance are “One Malaysia” and “People First. Performance Now”. The first 100 days are a trial period and the key is how to implement them. When former Prime Minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badaawi took the office, he as well put forward the anti-corruption and enhances the public delivery system slogans. Unfortunately, it ended up a failure because of lack of execution. Najib must take it as a lesson. “One Malaysia” is a perfect idea. The United States becomes a democratic country that attracts many immigrants because of its “American Dream that is being looked forward by less developed countries”. “One Malaysia” should as well be the common dream of all Malaysians, so that they are proud of the country. | "Such a back-tracking policy is inconsistent with the spirit of 'Performance Now'." | However, under the situation in which the country is dominated by racial politics with racial policies as the fundamentals, how are we going to achieve the dream? If we can’t be truly fair and equal, we can never achieve the “American Dream” level. The idea will slowly be forgotten. Najib put forward the eight values of the “One Malaysia” concept, including the culture of excellence, perseverance, acceptance, education, integrity, meritocracy, humility and loyalty. But he has left out the universal values of “freedom, democracy and equality”, which are the driving force for openness and progress. Meanwhile, the idea of “People First” must not neglect political changes, judicial independence, the freedom of press and the respect for human rights, as the country’s current political system has been losing its balance in which the executive is too powerful. Without an effective mechanism of checks and balances, the people would have to suffer once the executive goes wrong. The people are facing the problems of corruption, crime and price hike in their daily lives. It is meaningless to talk about “People First” without solving these problems. Other than official performances, “Performance Now” must not neglect precision in terms of policies and instructions. Take the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English as an example, the government has wasted six years of time, RM3 billion and a generation as the test products but eventually, back to square one. After the announcement of comprehensive abolition for the policy of teaching Science and Mathematics in English, parents became more worried while children cried as they are afraid that they may not be able to keep up with the lessons. Such a back-tracking policy is inconsistent with the spirit of “Performance Now”. Najib should make announcement on the country’s new direction, as well as the implementation of expert rule and professional management on Saturday (11 July). Minor and insignificant adjustments are no longer able to thoroughly change the spiritual values of the country. Without a reform for the system, old forces and interest groups will be back sooner and later, impeding the pace of opening up; without the eradication of corruption, extreme racial and religious thoughts, BN’s power will still be at risk. Whether Najib’s goal and concept could be achieved, the key lies on reforms.
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