When our politicians failed us

OUR politicians have been involved in political manoeuvring as long as we can remember. Some were embroiled in political scandals and shameful misdeeds.

We have seen the worst of them. But as they say, the show went on. The business of governing was never interrupted.

Even during the 1997-98 political crisis, a government was there for better or for worse. In fact, the people’s mandate was sought soon after the sacking of Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The people decided to keep the status quo despite lots of misgivings about how the then deputy prime minister was shamed and ousted.

This time, we bring political shenanigan to a new level. It is unprecedented in the political history of this nation.

The government of hardly two years imploded dramatically. Or to put it in perspective, was allowed to implode.

Ironically, the major players are largely the same ones like in the crisis of the late 1990s.

Many have aged considerably but the ferocity to fight is almost intact. With a new band of brothers and sisters and as many fanatical supporters around them, even Game of Thrones looks tame. With the latest intrigue and surprises, the 1992 The Manchurian Candidate looks amateurish.

Since the birth of this beloved nation, we have never really experienced a political situation this messy. Squabbling among politicians has taken an art form. And sadly, it is only the beginning of our nightmare. Just remember there

is no clear winner from this sad episode. The rakyat are the sure losers.

Our politicians have failed us, this time spectacularly. Politicians are known to put their interests first before ours. They are known to be selfish, but this time round, we are amazed at the level of their insensitivity and respect for the populace, especially those who voted for them.

Politics is too serious a business to be left to politicians, someone famously said. Perhaps it is time for the people to remind them of the faith we put in them. Forget about hope, which is past dissipating. People want to go on with their lives. They are not paid to be part of the political imbroglio.

What is amazing is the changing dynamics as planned by some of these characters. The same people who demonised “the other side” suddenly find it acceptable to work with “the devils”.

The large part of the narrative of Pakatan Harapan was to find fault with the previous government, portraying their leaders as kleptocrats, racists and corrupt (not to mention incompetent and immoral). Suddenly they want to be in bed with them. Call it political expediency.

There are no permanent friends and enemies in politics, we are fully aware of that. But there must be some dignity and decorum left somewhere in the hearts of even the most ambitious and sinister of politicians.

At least respect the mandate of the people in May 2018. They wanted change, they got one.

They booted out a six-decade old government for a new, untested coalition. People’s Power at work. Malaysians gambled their future on Pakatan. Thousands of Malaysians living abroad came back to cast their votes.

The people have spoken. The ink on their fingers hardly dried up when the true colour of the new government manifested itself. Promises are largely untended. Race-relations got worse. Cost of living did not come down. The failure isn’t that of the voters. It lies with the people they voted in.

Scepticism is not surprisingly the rule of the day. You can’t fault the people for being cynical. They can’t breathe the toxic air of politics and racism. Enough is enough.

At the rate things are, no political party will command a sizeable majority in any future election. Unlike the old days, forming a government will never be easy.

The new political construct post-imploding Pakatan will never be the same again.

Perhaps we have to learn from the lessons of Belgium. For 541 days from 2010 to 2011, the country was rudderless when the governing coalition failed. It happened again last year, where for a year, there was only a caretaker prime minister. In an era where there is growing unhappiness with politicians, the Belgium experience should not be discounted.

Many countries are facing political uncertainties because coalitions are falling like flies. The Israelis have had three elections in a year, the Spaniards had two and Austria was on auto-pilot for some time.

Perhaps we should experiment with a Malaysia post-politicians. We have a reasonably competent civil service to start with. They have never shown their true colours because of too many interferences from politicians. What we need is an interim prime minister and lame-duck Parliament, which is incapable of passing any laws. Meanwhile, let the squabbling among politicians continues. I am sure it is an experiment worth trying.

When politicians fail, the nation must not!

Johan Jaaffar was a journalist, editor and for some years chairman of a media company, and is passionate about all things literature and the arts. And a diehard rugby fan. The views expressed here are entirely his own.