It is common in Malaysia for children of politicians to participate in politics. Many children of past leaders are leaders today.
Another favourable trend has now emerged – widows replacing their respective dead husbands in by-elections. In recent time, the Kuala Kangsar and Batu Api by-elections were won by the respective wives of deceased incumbents. Now, as reported, the widow of the late Adenan Satem is expected to fill the void left vacant by her husband.
Why are we so devoid of choices? Are these widows natural leaders in their own right? What are their credentials and proven abilities besides being the wives of the incumbents? Are parliamentary and state constituencies now a family heirloom?
No doubt winning in by-elections is important. But surely there are other considerations as well.
Are we so short of other capable leaders or sound policies that we depend on sympathy and the good name of the deceased? To me, nominating widows to stand as candidates is just that – there is a dire lack of capable replacements and there are no sound policies other than to capitalise on sympathy.
MPs and assemblymen are lawmakers. They represent an important branch of the government – the legislature. Their roles are not as wallflowers expressing “sokong” to whatever is put on the table.
They, as the people’s representatives, are supposed to highlight concerns and formulate proposals for the attention of the government.
I believe if a capable replacement is chosen as the candidate, other than the wife of the deceased, winning the by-election will not be a problem.
Certainly we need more MPs and assemblymen who are knowledgeable and capable if good governance and democracy are to move forward. Right now, it is my considered opinion that many of them know next to nothing other than engaging in coffee-shop talk.
The people must ultimately bear the responsibility. We ought to know when a candidate is a person of calibre or just a wallflower.
TK Chua is an FMT reader.
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