Think Big Dream High,E54-The  Government For All

The Sanctity of Unity

1.The country survived another election and all went well. Though there were dissenting voices here and there on the results, nothing can replace the choices made by the people themselves. They have ample time to decide who they want as their leader that can represent and put forth their views and grievances.

2.The ruling coalition party(BN) won by slightly more than a simple majority. This is democracy to the fore. Gone were the days where the ruling coalition party holds a two-thirds majority in Parliament. No doubt a two-thirds majority facilitates quick decisions, quick passing of laws and  setting aside differences in views just so that decisions can be implemented quickly.

3.As the democratic culture grows, leaders have to learn to accommodate delays in the passing of the budget or for that matter delays in passing of any legislation or law. There is nothing wrong or the need to feel ashamed by winning with a simple majority. 

Reality in life

1.Human beings being what they are usually differ in thoughts and opinions and this can be seen no further than your own home. Your wife and child might disagree with your choice of places for holiday or even for that matter the choice of food to order at a restaurant. If two people agree on everything that means only one is doing the thinking.

2.The country has a long history of tolerancy culture among the people. During Friday prayers, owners of cars double park their vehicles but there is enough maturity to wait  for the guy to come out. During Chinese New Year, there are firecrackers at midnight till dawn but the people tolerate all this. Even during Thaipusam where the Hindus moved in processions  congregating at Batu Caves and inconveniencing the traffic flow and again the people tolerate all this.

3.The country has come a long way from a developing nation status with agriculture as the main economic activity to one of becoming an industrialized country and a developed nation status. This means that within the society there is a sufficient number of mature people who know what’s going on, understand laws and what the nation needs.

4.There is a great deal of give and take in the country. For instance, we have the largest pig farms in this country, which is a Muslim country and despite the fact that all Muslims have a sense of revulsion towards the pig.   We have proven that even if we don’t learn together, we can live together. We try to find common grounds  because of the love for the country.

5.Every community has some stake in the country and all of them wants to live in harmony, being able to move freely and working on creating wealth for themselves and for their future generations. All of this was a result of the coalition created by the former leaders of the three major communities in the country. They created conditions of peace.

6.Though the leaders from different political parties acknowledged there are a lot of things they disagree with the ruling coalition party but  they are prepared to be friends in sports, on humanity issues and on some fundamental issues.

Tips

1. Those in power and sincere in their work, already have the courage to transform and revamp the country’s administration style. This is the best time to introduce more changes as the country has just undergone the general elections. Changes for the better, changes to make the people work together building a strong economy and changes that will make the leaders highly acknowledged and respected among the domestic and international communities.

2. As mentioned earlier we already have a bold and courageous leadership. Leadership that is brave enough to introduce the concept of transformation and more surprises. One that is inevitable to put in place, would be an accommodative and inclusive power sharing government. A government that is being represented by all political parties in its cabinet line up, Exco or other government appointments. The Prime Minister should invite all the opposition party(PR) leaders to hold positions in government entities. The number of   portfolios or positions must be based on the mutually agreed ratio and principles.

3. It must be viewed as fair and acceptable to all, especially the rakyat, as the supreme stakeholder. It has to be based on a win win formula. If it is the formula whereby BN has to give up the position of deputy premiership to the leader of PR, so be it. Anyway, it is clear to all that more then half of the voters voted for them in the recent general election. It is deem justified to offer the PR head as the Deputy Prime Minister. This will ultimately reconcile all segments of society.

4. We can have differences in opinions and ideas, but they can be debated  internally by having frank discussions amongst leaders. Leaders must not   let out their frustrations or have outburst openly in the mainstream media or internet media.It will only create more misunderstands and uncertainties.

5.The federal or state cabinets are the right and best platforms to resolve problems and make the right decisions for the benefit of all parties. Each cabinet member either at the federal or state level can provide the healthy check and balance within the government.It is not as a government vs an opposition.Any elements of wrong decisions by any member or party must be resolved internally in a friendly environment.Any wrong doing will be dealt with fairly by the rules  of  law.

6.The country’s policies and strategies can be improved on a continuous basis with the inputs and feedbacks coming from members of the different parties. No one knows best than these leaders as to what the people wants. In this way the government is seen to acknowledge the signs and signals from the election results. In this way too,the elements of openness,accountability, responsibility, transparency and proper corporate governance can actually be put into practice and the results are clear for all to see.

7.The government should start to focus on work and not wasting time on politicking or pin pointing the blame. The time for that is long gone. The government must prioritise its activities towards winning the people’s trust and confidence, towards giving the best service to stakeholders.True to the popular chanting of “People First” or “Rakyat Didahulukan”.

8.Remind ourselves as someone who think big dream high and have a strong heart that we need to be the agent of change. Change done sincerely putting the interest of our stakeholders before self. Always make reference to the Al-Quran and Hadith for guidance.  Make Allah SWT present in our hearts every moment and time in our daily lives. InsyaAllah we will be guided in our decisions.