COMMENT | If there is one thing we can learn from Donald Trump’s stint as President of the United States is that institutions of the State do matter.

Citizens can elect a populist demagogue, but if the State has strong institutions, free from the interference of the Executive, the country will be protected from most long-term harm.

Politicians after all come and go, but the institutions remain as bulwarks against destructive leaders.

Unfortunately in Malaysia, our institutions suffer from major trust deficits.

This was worsened over the course of the pandemic when authorities tasked to carry out the various Covid-19 SOPs have been found wanting when it came to implementing the regulations justly and equally on all.

The term ‘Antara Dua Darjat’...