COMMENT | After a fortnight of turmoil and uproar, two pieces of news last Friday gave all Malaysians a “feel good” sensation - a rare happening - last felt at the fall of the Umno/BN government in 2018.

Firstly, the government decided to ditch the hosting of the Commonwealth Games in 2026. Secondly, and more importantly, the controversial amendments to our citizenship laws were withdrawn.

In the case of the citizenship laws, there had been no compromise as the Home Ministry’s flawed reasonings were skinned one by one.

In the case of the Games, disdainful phrases like “once a lifetime opportunity” and “beneficial to sports development and the economy” did not carry any weight.

Instead, the cost that the people would have to bear was the ultimate reason it was the proper decision to make under the circumstances when everyone is asked to tighten their belts.

Until the last minute – the cabinet meeting – the proponents and their supporters pushed on rigorously, claiming they were good for the betterment of the country and its people.

These decisions cannot be attributed to the...