Sabah’s election is just concluded. The people of Sabah elected a new government comprising various parties with a simple majority. The coalition of these parties is so fragile. The Chief Minister post becomes a debatable issue which was settled with adjustment from the leaders of this coalition. In the midst of Covid-19 pandemic, we have seen another melodrama orchestrated by our politicians. As an ordinary citizen of this beloved nation, I am so frustrated with these politicians.
Sabah was governed by a government elected by people. Then, a group politician who aspired to rule this state triggered a crisis. As a result, the legitimately elected government collapsed. This leads to the new state election which elicited the current spike ofCovid-19 cases in Malaysia.
As the leaders of this nation, I just wondered whether these leaders realised their role and what they were supposed to do to safeguard the interest of this nation and its people. By observing the current situation, I am profoundly suspicious that these leaders had failed in their fundamental duties as the people's representatives.
The Covid-19 pandemic is a global crisis which affected our country’s economy significantly. The both sides of politicians need to cooperate and collaborate among themselves to find the best possible ways/solutions to ease the pain of Malaysians as a whole rather than finding opportunities to protect their positions and to use this occasion to enrich themselves.
For instance, the university students and B40 group (who earn less than Rm4849 – the Statistics Department of Malaysia) are the most affected by this pandemic. I just wanted to know what kind of measures have been taken by the current administration to address this situation.
The unemployment rate in Malaysia rose to 4.7 per cent in July 2020, according to tradingeconomics.com. From year ago, the number of unemployed grew 42 percent. In addition, the Department of Statistics of Malaysia reports that the number of unemployed people in this country has risen by 47,300 to 826,100 people. This number, in 27 years, is the highest.
The recent Khazanah Research Institute (KRI) study showed that this year, many households in Malaysia are very vulnerable to falling into poverty. Further, the National Housing Department (JPN) data reported that more than 65 percent of national household leaders earn below RM2,000.
They live in People's Housing Projects (PPRs). They are considered to be the urban poor. These statistics indicate that many people have lost their jobs especially from the B40 group, and now the question is how these families with the young children can survive and what kind of the support that they can seek from the current administration for their survival.
Recently, the university students were upset because they have been told at the eleventh hour to delay their trip to their campuses because of the rise of Covid-19 cases. Some of them have already travelled to their campuses and there are others who have already booked their flights.
This incident shows that the leaders are not sensitive and less concerned about the predicament of these students. Therefore, I am urging the relevant authority to consider this issue seriously and compensate the affected students with compassion.
Currently, Malaysia is facing the vacuum of good leaders. Leaders are elected to serve people not otherwise. They are people’s representatives. We, Malaysians still fondly remember the contribution made by our founding Fathers of this nation. They sacrificed themselves for the betterment of this nation.
Leaders like the late Tunku Abdul Rahman and Tun Dr Ismail are the leaders to live their life for this nation. The last such leader that I adored greatly was Tok Guru Nik Aziz. Unfortunately, with a current cluster of leaders I hardly ever find such a kind of calibre leader.
The purpose of the election either state or national is to elect good and capable leaders who are willing to serve this nation and its people. As the voice of voiceless people, my utmost hope to see the emerging leaders with high integrity and good leadership abilities to lead this nation to its great potential.
© Copyright is reserved.2020. Kuala Lumpur. 04/10/2020
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