Friday 29 Mar 2024
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This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly on March 11, 2019 - March 17, 2019

We are now two months shy of a year since the historic 14th general election, when Malaysians voted for the country’s first change in federal government.

There was so much hope at the time. That Malaysians achieved a peaceful transfer of power amid the  many scandals and controversies inspired many proponents of democracy around the world.

Yet, 10 months later, the conduct of some of our Cabinet ministers leaves much to be desired.

For example, last week, the tourism minister reportedly told the German media that there are no homosexuals in Malaysia when asked whether the country is a safe destination for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Then, the primary industries minister reportedly suggested that oil palm smallholders consider alternative crops such as bamboo in the light of the negative perception of palm oil.

The antics of some ministers have also raised eyebrows. One minister is said to drink only a specific brand of water, while another was seen at a K-pop show with a full ministerial entourage.

The rakyat voted in the new government to address bread and butter issues, and in the hope that life would be better and that their future, as well as that of their children, would be brighter.

It is fair to say that this is not easy to do. Accomplishing many promises in the Pakatan Harapan manifesto is an uphill task, and to the government’s credit, it is still trying.

But none of that means anything if the current leadership does not behave in a manner that justifies the lofty public office they hold. Otherwise, what separates them from the previous bunch that the rakyat voted out?

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