From: Saleh Mohammed, via email

In May, I proposed a system of accreditation for Malaysian politicians that will provide them with credentials and to conform with some standards. I had hoped the Speaker would give the proposal due consideration. Maybe he did not come across the article.

We need politicians of strong principles and courage whose interest in being elected as ‘wakil rakyat’ is to serve the rakyat and the country and make sure they leave a better future for our future generations.

We need politicians who are God-fearing, with integrity, commitment, pragmatic and a whole lot of common sense who view political office as working for the rakyat and not for personal gain. We need them to be passionate in their work and have a sense of responsibility.

Back then I wrote about ministers and politicians making absurd, silly and immature statements with some having no qualms about spewing loud racist speeches and getting away with it. We have heard you warn ministers against usurping the speaker’s authority. Even the Dewan Negara president had told off some ministers and deputy ministers for inadequate answers.

It is very depressing that six months later, the situation has not improved.

The walkout on Budget speech day was a big surprise. This is arguably the most important day in Parliament. We expect all ‘wakil rakyat’ to be there to hear the speech, not walking out and showing placards. This action is quite unbecoming and is seen as childish. The finance minister may not have been serious or merely putting up a “show” in tabling “an election budget in disguise” but there will be opportunities to ‘grill’ him later. A show of dissatisfaction would have sufficed.

The Speaker gave them the option to leave in the middle of an important session and this has set a precedent.

The finance minister cum prime minister should not have continuously provoked the opposition since this is a very important speech for the whole country. He is standing there as the FM/PM for Malaysia. His actions can be seen as unbecoming and childish too.

This is not the time to hit out at the Opposition but a time to inform all Malaysians of what the government plans to do for them in 2017 amid challenging times. This is serious business.

Talking about the 2017 Budget, the FM had allocated an increased BR1M to ease the cost of living for next year. But hardly two weeks later, price of petrol increased and also the phased removal of subsidy for cooking oil.

He may have his reasons for not mentioning 1Malaysia Development Bhd, but he should have at least showed us what the inflation figures are now and expected for next year. This is very important since living costs have spiraled uncontrollably.

Some say there are many sweets offered in the 2017 Budget. This is very dangerous because ‘sweets’ will again create high ‘diabetic’ rate among Malaysians. If left untreated, ‘patients’ will face various complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, blindness and amputation. It will do more harm than good to all Malaysians.

In addition, due to the standard (or lack of) of English and Bahasa Melayu proficiency among members, I would suggest one of the criteria to be a member of parliament is to be proficient in both the languages. The FM/PM too should avoid using words like subsidy rationalisation and transformation. Some members may not understand it. It would be easier to use simple words like cutting subsidy and changeover or redoing.

This ‘disease’ is prevalent at the state level too. Few days ago, a wakil rakyat at the Selangor State Assembly said Malaysia is faring well in international business and economic rankings including the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness report which ranked Malaysia in 25th position. If only he could read last year’s report, we have slid down from 18th place.

Tan Sri Speaker recently referred to a former PM as his former boss. If I am not wrong, the Speaker was elected by the members of the House and by extension, I guess his allegiance is to the House.

I trust he will give serious consideration to my proposal on accreditation for politicians. It will make his job much easier.

Saleh Mohammed is an FMT reader.

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