Focus Malaysia:
Forget about Tun M, Ku Li’s criticism: Anwar has done much more than we assume!
By Nehru Sathiamoorthy
UMNO veteran Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah is of the opinion that Prime Minister P(M) Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has done nothing since taking office two years ago.
In his view, everything that Anwar has done, he did so out of anger against his former mentor Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
“Is there reform? It’s just all talk. What he used to shout about was only because he was angry with the former PM Tun Mahathir for ‘attacking’ and arresting him,” Tengku Razaleigh who is also fondly known as Ku Li reportedly said.
“Thus, the Reformasi movement was born and people agreed with this call. Just so justice would be given to him.
“He says it takes time but it’s been over two years since he became PM. From the time when Dr Mahathir was PM twice and Barisan Nasional (BN) fell, there has been no record of how to bring about reform.”
The nine-term former Gua Musang MP’s observation mirrors a similar observation that Dr Mahathir made in August.
According to the nonagenarian who will turn a centenarian in a year’s time, it is “difficult” to think of anything positive that Anwar’s Madani government has done since he took office two years ago.
Reformist version
I am certainly not a fan of Anwar but I do believe that both Ku Li’s and Mahathir’s rating of Anwar is too jaundiced.
Although Anwar might have not done everything that he said that he would have done or he might have turned his back on many of the things that he said he would do, there are certain reforms that he has done which are not insubstantial.
As Anwar has not articulated what exactly he meant by reform, this has led many people, including Ku Li, to believe that all of Anwar’s talk about reforms is nothing more than hot air.
Anwar might have his own vision of “reforms” which is to release the country from the clutches of our past excesses and mistakes so that we will be able to soar into the future.
I would say that Anwar’s subsidy rationalisation and brave moves to raise the wages of workers are two immensely significant items of reform that he has instituted since taking office.
I am certainly not a fan of Anwar but I do believe that both Ku Li’s and Mahathir’s rating of Anwar is too jaundiced.
Although Anwar might have not done everything that he said that he would have done or he might have turned his back on many of the things that he said he would do, there are certain reforms that he has done which are not insubstantial.
As Anwar has not articulated what exactly he meant by reform, this has led many people, including Ku Li, to believe that all of Anwar’s talk about reforms is nothing more than hot air.
Anwar might have his own vision of “reforms” which is to release the country from the clutches of our past excesses and mistakes so that we will be able to soar into the future.
I would say that Anwar’s subsidy rationalisation and brave moves to raise the wages of workers are two immensely significant items of reform that he has instituted since taking office.
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad (left) and Tan Sri Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah (Image credit: Malay Mail)
Anwar’s move to implement such actions as the subsidy rationalisation and wage increment are definitely steps to dismantle the Dr Mahathir economic legacy, thus releasing Malaysia from our past mistakes.
Without being able to develop their full potential, Malaysians have grown so bitter and dejected that their frustration and disappointment have created a toxic landscape filled with endless power struggle, race and religious tension as well as ill will and bewilderment.
Anwar’s subsidy rationalisation, wage increment and perhaps even inheritance tax are all moves that are engineered to unburden Malaysians from the weight of our past mistakes, hence wash away the toxicity from the Malaysians Experience while charting a path of
growth for our future.
Challenges
The problem with Anwar is that he is playing his cards close to his chest – and revealing too little of what he has in his heart and mind.
Moreover, he is also likely to be engaged in a cat and mouse game with the remnants of Dr Mahathir’s ancient regime that are bitterly opposed to his reforms.
The fact that toxicity in the Malaysian Experience is regularly in danger of getting out of hand, might also be making the waters so murky to such an extent that it is hard to see what Anwar has planned.
The problem with Anwar is that he is playing his cards close to his chest – and revealing too little of what he has in his heart and mind.
Moreover, he is also likely to be engaged in a cat and mouse game with the remnants of Dr Mahathir’s ancient regime that are bitterly opposed to his reforms.
The fact that toxicity in the Malaysian Experience is regularly in danger of getting out of hand, might also be making the waters so murky to such an extent that it is hard to see what Anwar has planned.
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim chairing the National Economic Action Council (MTEN) meeting
Moreover, with old timers like Ku Li and Dr Mahathir still tie the concept of “doing something” with the construction of highways, skyscrapers or new cities might also be a part of why many people see Anwar’s administration as a “do nothing”.
But at the end of the day, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Rather than invest his time, energy and effort to satisfy the expectations of the likes of Dr Mahathir or Ku Li, Anwar is better off succeeding in liberating the country from its legacy of mistakes and to find a meaningful future.
If he does that, I am confident that despite his shortcomings, he will be able to contribute to his country, win the favour of the next generation and be remembered as the “Father of Reformation” by saving his country at a time when it needed saving. – Oct 16, 2024
Nehru Sathiamoorthy is a roving tutor who loves politics, philosophy and psychology.
Moreover, with old timers like Ku Li and Dr Mahathir still tie the concept of “doing something” with the construction of highways, skyscrapers or new cities might also be a part of why many people see Anwar’s administration as a “do nothing”.
But at the end of the day, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. Rather than invest his time, energy and effort to satisfy the expectations of the likes of Dr Mahathir or Ku Li, Anwar is better off succeeding in liberating the country from its legacy of mistakes and to find a meaningful future.
If he does that, I am confident that despite his shortcomings, he will be able to contribute to his country, win the favour of the next generation and be remembered as the “Father of Reformation” by saving his country at a time when it needed saving. – Oct 16, 2024
Nehru Sathiamoorthy is a roving tutor who loves politics, philosophy and psychology.
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