From Zaid Ibrahim

Our family home in Pasir Hor, Kota Bharu, is not for sale. Someone posted on Facebook that the house was for sale, but that is not so anymore. I did instruct an agent to look for buyers but that was six months ago.

Since then, the political scene in our country has become so chaotic that I may have to reconsider my retirement plans. Politics aside, I might even run a food stall business, something along the lines of “kedai pati” where the customers will sit on square wooden benches, and roti canai and nasi bungkus will be served from the centre of the square wooden planks.

We have a situation where so many new political parties mushroom all over. The latest is Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM). A few weeks ago, we heard that Warisan from Sabah is coming to take over peninsular politics. That move is being embraced enthusiastically by some DAP and Muda members.

I doubt if these parties stand for anything substantial. Warisan, for example, will not dare to open up Sabah and Sarawak for Peninsular Malaysians to go and work there.

Now we from the peninsula can even be barred from entering these places if they so wish. Yet, Shafie Apdal declares that he will be a prime minister for all Malaysians.

As for PBM, I seriously doubt they can offer anything significant for Malaysians and for the country to progress in the 21st century. I am impressed with their sound bites, but there is nothing beyond that. I don’t think I am out of line if I ask if that party is Azmin Ali’s party.

We are at a stage where we have many political operators who account for many political parties but we don’t have leaders. This is unfortunate but true.

If I were to get involved in GE15, below are some of my plans for the country.

Kelantan will have to be paid her petroleum dues as a littoral state, and Petronas will have to sign an agreement with Kelantan that yearly cash payments will be made regardless of which political party comes to power.

To avoid the monies from being used by unscrupulous politicians, an oil corporation for Kelantan will be established and shall be professionally run. The Council of Petroleum Advisers established under the Petroleum Development Act 1974 will be activated to oversee proper utilisation of oil revenue received by the relevant states.

The success of Petroleum Sarawak Bhd (Petros) and the immense wealth created by Norway’s sovereign wealth fund for their excellent management of their oil reserves would be examples for Kelantan to follow.

Water rates in Kelantan will be cut by half for as long as the water problems in Kelantan persist. It is unacceptable that water rates are being charged at current levels when the supply and quality of water are below standard.

Land office charges, whether for land conveyance, application for conversion or subdivision will be reduced by half to help the people recover from the economic difficulties caused by Covid-19 and the floods.

Politics in Kelantan will have to change. The economy and livelihoods of the people should be the focus. Leaders should be selected by the people based on what they can do to improve the economy of the state, and not how well they recite the verses and how many fresh fatwas they issue.

For too long the people were misled into believing in fairy tales. Now is the time for the millions of new voters to decide the fate of their future. Poverty, diseases and natural disasters can only be overcome if we have good leaders who can solve problems and bring prosperity to the state.

Zaid Ibrahim is a former federal minister.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.