I’m very simple. I don’t play games, and I cut off for good those who try to play them.
– Kirsten Hill, former US educationist
Just this week, when Parliament was in session and the prime minister was doing his winding-up speech on the 12th Malaysia Plan Mid-Term Review, pandemonium ensued.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was explaining the discharge not amounting to an acquittal, or DNAA, granted to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi recently in the latter’s graft case.
An (ill advised) off-the-cuff remark later by the prime minister was followed by a heated exchange among the MPs.
It was then followed by a shouting match, name calling then ended with a walkout by members from the opposition bench.
The off-the-cuff remark was directed to Putrajaya MP Datuk Dr Radzi Jidin, apparently suggesting that that the former senior minister in the Perikatan Nasional (PN) federal government was involved in alleged malpractices.
This prompted tempers to flare, particularly on Dr Radzi’s part who demanded the prime minister withdraw his remarks.
This tit-for-tat, back and forth between the government and the opposition is simply, getting out of hand.
When one is trying to uphold principles, the other simply resorts to whataboutism. “What about you?” and “Didn’t you do that too?”. It is saddening.
Apparently given the amount of polarisation among the people, nobody is calling out the other person.
Everyone seems to believe that they and the person, the party they are affiliated with is right. There is no honesty, not anymore.
There is no line anymore. No right or wrong. Apparently, the ones who are shouting the loudest on the streets and on social media, they are the ones in the right. The other group is simply not.
There is no telling if or when this will change. It seems like a deadlock.
While the current unity government led by Anwar is enjoying almost two-thirds majority, the fact that the rug can be pulled from under him by dissatisfied partners – just as history would prove – means everyone is on borrowed time.
When the Pakatan Harapan (PH) government collapsed back in 2020, there were calls for a snap election. The health situation, however, did not permit then.
Had it happened, possibly, the situation would not have happened. The overwhelming public opinion against PH at the time would mean those who were against them could have been elected as federal government with a comfortable margin.
Instead, we ended up with one compromise after another. First it was the loosely assembled coalition of partners under Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin as the eighth prime minister.
Then, Muhyiddin was tossed out by his partners (read Umno) and suddenly, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob was ninth prime minister who retained the same line-up in his administration, bar a few minimal changes.
Undeniably, the feel-good factor of the first few months in office for Anwar has worn off significantly and perhaps he is now under significant pressure.
Thus, the blunder in Dewan Rakyat as politics rears its ugly head and, in a bid, to win brownie points, if there is ever such a thing.
Sarawak in the meantime, remains undeterred and given its political landscape whereby the atmosphere is stable, solid and without much fanfare.
There is no tit-for-tat, back and forth going on between the government and the opposition.
Rather, the numbers in the opposition, by the looks of it, are diminishing with several members now expressing their support for the state government.
They believe that this government is doing well and is managing Sarawak to the best that it can, coupled with policies that work and brings meaning to the people.
The sole purpose of Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) being in the federal government is to establish a direct channel with Putrajaya to represent Sarawak interests as well as to pursue the return of rights under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
This has been promised by Putrajaya. Anwar’s presence during the Malaysia Day event last week, reiterating that same pledge, brings hope to Sarawak.
As crummy as it sounds, Sarawak is being selfish, in a good way. We only want what’s good for the future of the state, to develop the economy, the infrastructure and the people.
If it means that we have to contend with this political nonsense in Kuala Lumpur to guarantee our future and the future of the next generation of Sarawakians, so be it.
But make no mistake, we won’t play your game. Thanks, but no thanks.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
