Governing On Thin Ice

1. Pakatan Harapan was formed in 2015 through consensus by 4 main opposition parties at that time. It was historic that after almost decades of disputes, Dr Mahathir got on the same page with Anwar Ibrahim and Lim Kit Siang.
2. The fight then was to uphold the rule of law and to topple the kleptocracy government in a democratic way which is through election. The Pakatan Harapan made hundreds of promises during the election and the people believed us. They voted for us and miraculously, the undefeated Barisan Nasional fell after 60 years of rule. No one ever thought of that but it happened anyway.
3. Notwithstanding all the happiness over the victory, in it lies a huge responsibility. Pakatan was elected by the people and they shall serve them at all cost. Out of all hundreds of promises, the one that stand out the most is the fight to uphold the rule of law. Pakatan pledge that they would ensure the judicial independence, abolishment of draconian laws and refute any form of abuse of power by government executives. Very promising and alluring to young minds.
4. After one year in office, the Pakatan government was evaluated by various NGO’s and the findings were disappointing. People support started to decline. This is very alarming because it could be a sign of defeat in the next election. But we were not so worried then because we knew that we were on track.
5. The Pakatan ensured that the government will not interfere into judicial affairs, made initiatives to review draconian laws such as SOSMA and National Security Council Act and had set up the Institutional Reform Committee. We had no qualm on the government efforts and lauded them for that. The government is very serious in reforming the country despite facing several setbacks.
6. Unfortunately, few things happened that has since become a mockery to the notion of upholding the rule of law. Few days ago, the Attorney General drop Azmin’s sex-video case and there seems to be no light at the end of the tunnel for Adib’s case. 
7. Very recently, Dr Mahathir made a statement that former UMNO members who joined Bersatu and has no record of criminal offence may contest in party election. The convention in Bersatu is that no former UMNO members are allowed to take part in party election. But things happened otherwise now. Bersatu leadership has gone too far from its original stand. The reputation of Bersatu has declined. 
8. The reputation and image depreciated even further when the selangor bersatu youth leader was arrested for drug use. How would you expect a person who doesn’t abide the law to uphold it. It is like expecting a fish to climb a tree. Impossible. 
9. Maszlee sudden resignation created a negative perception toward the government. There is speculation that the government is shaky and there is an internal conflicts. Mahathir being the acting education minister is totally against the spirit of rule of law. Pakatan promised in their manifesto that the Prime Minister shall not hold other ministerial positions. 
10. It is about time that the government should pull off a major reform to stay relevant in the next election. The people have started to doubt Pakatan’s competency to governance. Bersatu too has to change. They are bit by bit becoming UMNO 2.0. Bersatu is now perceived as a party with no principles. Samuel Smiles once said “a man without principles and will is like a ship without compass; it changes direction with every change of wind” and that perfectly describes Bersatu.