Stop infighting and start governing, ex-servicemen tell PH
The National Patriots Association says politicians holding government posts have to provide leadership, not fight among themselves for power.
KUALA LUMPUR: Saying the internal squabble in PKR is distracting from the real issues facing the nation, the National Patriots Association today called for it to stop.
Its president Mohamed Arshad Raji urged leaders of the Pakatan Harapan coalition parties to mediate before the feud in PKR spiralled out of control and led to the destruction of PH.
“There is so much to do to rebuild our nation,” he said in reminding PH leaders and politicians that the people voted them into power to ensure good governance and to right the wrongs of the previous administration.
“The people are not interested in their bickering over the right to be the next prime minister. Neither do they want to see dark hands and long knives clandestinely employed by supporters of one leader against the other, both intra-party and intra-coalition.
“The feud between the two camps within PKR that has culminated in sordid tales of unnatural sex, conspiracy, evil plots and paid mercenaries is all too distracting and disgusting.”
Arshad said political leaders holding positions in government were supposed to provide leadership.
Saying there was so much to do in “our difficult journey towards a ‘shared prosperity’ vision”, he outlined some of the concerns:
- National debt has, since May 2018, increased to RM 1.09 trillion;
- Fitch Ratings has just affirmed Malaysia’s long-term foreign currency issuer default rating at A -, meaning the nation still has a high credit quality but is vulnerable to adverse economic conditions. The reason for the A minus rating is the nation’s high public debt. Nations with strong economies have AAA rating;
- Household debt ratio to GDP is 83% and is the highest in the Asean region. This is cause for concern because individuals will be burdened by having to pay debts in the impending economic downturn;
- The education standard is appalling and much has been said about over-emphasis in religious studies. Also, politicians are fickle about teaching maths and science in English;
- Politicians at local government level seem to act only after an environmental disaster has occurred. They have low acumen for proactive decisions; and
- The Orang Asli community is the least represented and most sidelined. Tragedy after tragedy has befallen them, and it is a crying shame that politicians at state level seem to have the least regard for the Orang Asli.
“The list of concerns can be lengthened. The points mentioned above are enough to jolt our politicians from their delusive thoughts that power is their right. In fact, many career politicians have nothing to show, except politicking.
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“Numerous people who prefer not to be in politics can do a better job,” he said,