LETTER | Politicians, political pundits, writers, researchers, and analysts are now having a field day explaining why Pakatan Harapan won and Perikatan Nasional lost in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.
Like they say, hindsight is always perfect.
Before the election result was announced, no one was certain and everyone was apprehensive because Harapan besides being in control of the state and federal governments, was under constant attack.
The attack had come not just from PN, but also from the out-of-favour leaders of Harapan, and many NGOs, activists, and researchers. I am glad all these pundits have been proven wrong.
Ultimately, it was the collective wisdom of the people of Kuala Kubu Baharu as well as the police and armed forces that ensured the constituency remained under Harapan control.
What then was the collective wisdom based on? For me it is simple. There is simply no viable alternative.
I am not saying the Harapan government outperformed PN. I am not saying the Harapan government can deliver equality and fairness to all in double-quick time.
I am simply saying Harapan has provided better harapan (hope) to Malaysians - for a more moderate, inclusive, and progressive Malaysia.
The Harapan government must now work on the deliverables. Apparently, some have become very impatient with the government of the day for not being able to bring about reform more quickly.
They have very high expectations that the Anwar Ibrahim administration will be able to undo all the inherent weaknesses and inequality in our society.
However, the collective wisdom of the Kuala Kubu Baharu polls was to give the government more time, which I fully agree with.
Malaysia can’t afford the change of government every two years with policies swinging from one end of the spectrum to the other.
No viable alternative
I think the collective wisdom of the by-election also showed us that the alternative to the Harapan government is no better. We have experienced the alternative, have we not?
Despite PN trying to be more inclusive by engaging some non-Malays and non-Islam parties in their cause, I think it is too late now for them to shake off their impaired image - the genesis of betrayal and treacherous politics, racism, and bigotry.
For a viable alternative to Harapan to emerge, the present crop of leaders in PN must go. It is just too difficult for them to discard their truncated image now.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.
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