Stick to the Knitting

An Islamic State.

Government knows best.

Hollow statements. An administration that spends too much time on platitudes and too little on substantive governing efforts must surely be lost or at the very least, on its last legs.

There are a multitude of issues facing the country. Rather than worry about bloggers, national unity or the labeling of the state and acting as high priests, perhaps it can be argued that government should be just a government and focus on creating a just state.

A government's role is to govern. In Malaysia, that government is particularly charged with the responsibility to govern and to govern justly. To balance the needs of the many against the needs of the few. To provide a means by which the underprivileged and the disadvantaged can build a better life in society. Not to equalise but to equip and to empower. To protect the people's civil rights and freedoms long denied by their former colonial masters. To build a free and just nation. A beacon of tolerance, inclusion and acceptance. To leverage the strength that is our diversity. Not to divide and conquer as the colonialists did in the past.

Amongst the centrepieces of the policy recommendations currently being drafted there will be a focus on the role of government; specifically, the roles of the Executive and the Legislature (ie the politicians).

Commenting on party politics is beyond the scope of this site but the setting of guidelines for qualification to sit in either Houses of the Legislature is well within its remit. This will also be an area touched upon.

It is truly a sad thing that after nigh 50 years of Independence our Executive and Legislative branches of Government appear to have diminished rather than strengthened. From the quality of debate, policy-setting and an appreciation of the responsibility to govern, the nation appears to have become that much poorer.

We have to gain back that which has been lost.