Reform, transparency, good governance only way forward for Malaysia: Anwar

KUALA LUMPUR – Pakatan Harapan and all progressive forces must rekindle the agenda of reform, transparency and good governance, said opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He also welcomes anyone – whether in the opposition or government – who shares his vision and agenda, but not those who have a track record of corruption.

Everyone deserves a chance, provided that they accept and completely commit to good governance and reform, he said in his speech at the 2021 Evening with DS Anwar Ibrahim event, organised by the Federal Territories PKR leadership council, at Tamu Hotel here today.

“Good governance ensures prosperity and economic strength, which will eradicate poverty, uplift all, and ensure the unity of the Malaysian people.

“We hold fast to our commitment to work tirelessly and selflessly for the rakyat, who have shown extraordinary courage and tenacity of spirit in facing the unprecedented challenges of our times.”

The PKR president said the reform agenda is not merely about the “failures” of the government in dealing with the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, or the blatant power grabs by politicians who evade accountability by resorting to emergency measures and other devious means to stay at the top.

“Neither is it just about the flaunting of wealth and the ostentatious show of decadent lifestyles.

“Indeed, I have no doubt that these are transgressions of governance that the rakyat will not forget, and will know what to do at the opportune time.”

Anwar added that the reform agenda is not about finger-pointing between coalition partners, but rather, a self-reflection of the time they administered the country.

“Notwithstanding the short period of time in government and the despicable act of betrayal, we must own up to our own shortcomings.

“The disastrous defeat in the series of by-elections in 2019 should not be summarily dismissed as being due to the race card used by the then opposition.”

He told party members that they must “unlearn” from those on the side of negativity, the voices of disharmony and race-baiting.

These include “those who profess one thing, but do the other to flash the trump card of race, causing dissension and animosity. Those who can thrive only by using fear and ignorance”.

“So, it is one thing to espouse those noble principles, but quite another to stand by them and not to cave in against the onslaught of those who fan the flames of ethnic superiority and religious bigotry.”

The Port Dickson MP urged the nation’s political and social elite to empathise with the plight of the poor and marginalised, such as those living in rural areas, as well as Sabah and Sarawak.

“More so, in times like these, when the hold on power is so fragile, and the temptation to yield to these forces may seem imperative. But therein lies the test of real leadership.

“As for PKR and PH, it’s not a game of one-upmanship to flaunt who has the greatest drawing power for votes from one ethnic group or religious community, but a real test of statesmanship to see who is truly committed to the long-term future of the nation.”

Earlier in his speech, Anwar said national unity is foremost on his mind, and while there are contrarian views, he believes he is on the right side of history – reaffirming PKR’s tribute to leaders such as Onn Ja’afar, Ahmad Boestamam and Datuk Seri Burhanuddin al-Helmy, who envisioned an independent, multiethnic and united Malaya.

He also mentioned other figures, such as Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Tun H.S. Lee and Tun V.T. Sambanthan, whom he described as not mere “poster boys for political alliance”, but “leaders with the courage of conviction to see beyond race and religion”.

“And of course, we had Tunku Abdul Rahman (Putra Al-Haj), not one for rhetoric, but a truly committed leader who, by example, demonstrated what it takes to govern a democratic, multiracial and multireligious nation.”

Among those in attendance were DAP’s Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and Lim Lip Eng (Kepong), and PKR’s Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil and vice-president Chua Tian Chang. – The Vibes, January 3, 2021