YOURSAY | ‘Change anything you like, the same people will make the same mess.’

COMMENT | Maybe M'sia should switch to a presidential system

Steven Ong: One reason for the unstable, underperforming government is the selfish and only thinking of their self-interest people in Malaysia. You know who they are.

The group of people rejects all rights and good governance and policies. They rejected the Rome Statute and the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (Icerd).

They have discriminating policies to ensure they are in power by bullying people with the support of those they have trained to defend and back them up.

Hence, any suggestion of a good government will be rejected. The suggestion of helping can even get one's car burnt.

Suggestions to follow the successful countries' system are also a no-no.

These self-interested parties who abused their power to enrich themselves will last a few more years till all Malaysians realise their rights and wrongs as human beings. Yes, I mean all Malaysians, including this group of selfish people.

And that needs the help of all who live to share what is right and good with their neighbours.

Are you willing to help spread this important message that is good for the coming generations?

OrangePanther1466: Malaysiakini’s Zikri Kamarulzaman’s proposition is worthy of consideration. Why don't we make the prime minister and deputy prime minister directly elected by the people?

Whoever is elected then forms the government amongst MPs from parties of a coalition that have won the most seats. The effect would then be the same in that a government stays in place for a fixed term.

MPs will have less incentive to change the government and people will have a direct say as to who they wish to be their prime minister.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong just needs to swear in whoever is elected to the position. I dare say this will significantly reduce politicking.

The prime minister or any minister can propose new bills or amendments as we have now.

Beman: When I read the heading of the article, I thought the writer was going to put himself in hot water by suggesting that Malaysia become a republic.

But he is only suggesting to change "the king and his prime minister" to "the king and his president".

Why not? Call the top executive of the country a president, a prime minister, a CEO minister or whatever.

It does not matter. "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet", as the great bard would tell you.

Corpus Delicti: Zikri’s narrative is not about converting to a republic.

It is merely the concept of separating the executive from the legislative but still maintaining the fundamental components of the Federal Constitution

This will establish that the monarchy, legislative and judiciary as separate and distinct entities bounded only by the constitution and applicable law.

There is a very real problem arising from and in connection with your suggestion, Zikri.

Since a supposedly mature democracy has proven time and again that even its legislators have trouble approving the government's supply bill - resulting in the shutdown of the latter - I have serious concerns about what this might do to Malaysia.

Be careful what you wish for.

Fair Play: Perhaps the reality from the writer’s perspective is this: Malaysia is a constitutional monarchy under the British model of sovereign government.

In the case of a constitutional republic like the USA or Singapore, the elected president is the head of state. For Malaysia, the Agong is the head of state as he is elected by the Conference of Rulers.

But in the world that almost all nations are moving in, perhaps a new model government to serve the interest of the people could be a viable solution.

Politics should be based on a one-party system to help prevent politicians from seeking power and control over the people.

GreenFalcon2290: The US has a presidential system and almost nothing gets done as they vote along party lines.

France has one too, where the incumbent is despised by vast swathes of the population and even in Parliament, so that is hardly the will of the people being enacted.

The problem is those in power, not the system. It's as simple as that. Change anything you like, the same people will make the same mess.

Mario T: I believe the writer has good intentions for suggesting a form of governance that can serve its full term uninterrupted.

However, the system in force today is in the form of a totalitarian system where religion and race play a paramount role.

A mere suggestion for more participation of the other races in governing the country creates a backlash of interference with religion and race.

The monopolistic structure of governance is so deeply rooted that to have it changed is almost an impossible task.

MS: You can adopt any system you want. It will make no difference.

The country is proving to be ungovernable - a consequence of its toxic operating ideology, its ability to pick the dregs as leaders and the general malaise of an undereducated population more impressed by medals and titles than good character and governance.

Ungovernable countries eventually fail. Malaysia is getting there by leaps and bounds.

Just a Malaysian: As long as our country's mentality and philosophy of race and religious dominance continues, any system will fail.

Like an old Chinese saying: "Poor quality mud can never be made to stick and strengthen a wall". It will always be useless no matter how you want to shape it.

Effective Jan 1, 2024, Yoursay will only be published three days a week due to manpower constraints. Thank you for your continuous support and understanding.

The above is a selection of comments posted by Malaysiakini subscribers. Only paying subscribers can post comments. In the past year, Malaysiakinians have posted over 100,000 comments. Join the Malaysiakini community and help set the news agenda. Subscribe now.

These comments are compiled to reflect the views of Malaysiakini subscribers on matters of public interest. Malaysiakini does not intend to represent these views as fact.