KUALA LUMPUR – Just as Datuk Seri Najib Razak did with his idea of 1Malaysia more than a decade ago in a bid to promote unity and harmony, Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob came up with the “Keluarga Malaysia” concept in his maiden speech as prime minister.
In Najib’s case, the idea would stay on with him until he was booted off his perch in the 14th general election, ultimately failing to do what mattered most – unite the nation.
Now as the country faces further uncertainty amid a raging health crisis and political instability, observers say it is up to Ismail Sabri to deliver on his concept of a Malaysian family in fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.
This comes amid criticisms being hurled at the Umno vice-president following his mooting of the concept, with many pointing towards his unpopular pro-Malay stance in the past.
This includes his infamous introduction of a digital mall similar to Low Yat Plaza in 2015 – but exclusively for Bumiputera traders – during his tenure as rural and regional development minister, a move deemed divisive and backwards.
Counselling psychologist Gerard Louis said the public’s digging up of Ismail Sabri’s past is expected for people who are held to higher standards, like the prime minister.
The HELP University Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, Education and Languages dean said constant racial and religious sentiments being played up by politicians over the years have also raised suspicion among the public.
“Ismail Sabri has to take to heart that whatever he said in the past will come back to haunt him, now that he is the prime minister,” he told The Vibes yesterday.
Winning hearts and minds
In view of this, Louis said, it is crucial that Ismail Sabri follow through on his Keluarga Malaysia concept and not leave it as mere rhetoric, or risk being included in Malaysians’ bad books, an undesirable prospect so close to the next general election.
He said that to win the public’s hearts, Ismail Sabri must be seen to be reaching out to people of different races, religions, and backgrounds, as well as being fair and just in formulating policies.
Beyond just extending an invitation to opposition MPs to join the National Recovery Council (NRC) and Covid-19 special committee, it is also important that the Bera MP act judiciously in appointing cabinet members and heads of government-linked companies, he added.
“It must not be just lip service, otherwise Keluarga Malaysia will just be another slogan. Action needs to speak louder than words. I don’t expect him to be perfect, but he must have some consistency in his decisions and actions moving forward.”
Louis said the brickbats faced by Ismail Sabri today over remarks and decisions he made years back is a clear lesson that politicians and leaders need to demonstrate from the start that they are principled and do not act for short-term, personal gains.
“From young, they must have certain moral standards to earn the trust of the people.”
Be objective, judge Ismail Sabri based on performance
For Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) external relations director Zokhri Idris, while Ismail Sabri’s past actions can serve as a yardstick, the public should only judge his statements and performances upon his assumption of power.
In view of the twin health and economic crises, he said the people should also be more objective in passing judgment, and see what the prime minister can actually bring to the table.
Beyond that, Zokhri said it is on Ismail Sabri to prove he welcomes inclusivity, adding that the offer to include opposition MPs in the NRC and Covid-19 special committees was a good start.
“That is something we should credit him for. He followed the decree of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong for bipartisanship,” he said, adding that Ismail Sabri must now open the door of consultation to the public, including experts, think tanks, and other interest groups for feedback on public policies.
This is especially crucial with the tabling of the 2022 Budget looming, he said, which would require proposals and ideas from all quarters on the ground.
Zokhri said Ismail Sabri must also improve the government’s coordination and communications skills that were visibly lacking during Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s time and which backfired tremendously on his administration.
“In the past, there was no proper coordination between ministers and stakeholders. Communication was also lacking. He has to work on this. Once he champions these, he can reduce public confusions, subsequently overcoming criticisms levelled at him.”
On whether failure to deliver on the Malaysian family concept will cost Ismail Sabri politically, Zokhri said: “I don’t think they will have much impact. In fact, the concept is seen more as aiming to boost the morale of Malaysians.
“If anything, the impact on him hinges more on the stability of his government. With just 114 MPs backing him, he must really protect them. The Keluarga Malaysia slogan does not relate much to his support, but the structure of his cabinet will.” – The Vibes, August 26, 2021
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