WILL FIVE MONTHS BE ENOUGH FOR PM TO INITIATE REFORMS?

By Yong Soo Heong

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- Five months or so, that is about the time frame
that Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has before he hands over
the reins of power to his successor, Najib Tun Razak. Will Pak Lah
have enough time to fulfill what he intends to do?

"I must remain focused in terms of what I want to achieve," was what
Abdullah said when posed this question.

"We have done some work already but we do also have some problems in
getting
them off the ground. But then it is not that we are starting from
scratch."

Abdullah said he had executive power until the day he decided to hand over
responsibilities to his successor.

"What I am proposing is good and important for the country, so I believe
people who choose to obstruct progress would not be acting in the interest of
the country or the people.

"As I said, I want to get these reforms done, and if I need to bring other
people in to help me accomplish them, I'll do it."

He said institutional reforms, for some reason, usually did not interest
many people.

"But I believe that this is a crucial area for Malaysia, especially if we
aspire to be a mature, developed nation. The perception towards our institutions
has been eroded over time. It does not matter whether this perception is right
or wrong, it is a negative perception and if it is not addressed, then it will
harden into reality.

"Once people lose their trust and confidence in institutions, the country
cannot function properly. People must believe in the effectiveness of the
judiciary and law enforcement agencies. They must believe that the government is
serious about fighting corruption. What I am trying to do is formalise these
changes."

Turning his attention to the economy, he said he had often said that the
country's growth and prosperity needed to be shared more evenly on a number of
levels - between communities, between the rich and poor, between regions.

But externally, he felt that the economy would continue to be challenging
as
the present situation was a reverse of 1998 because fundamentally the country
was still strong.

"The problems are starting in the so-called developed markets this time.
Still, their problems will affect us sooner or later. We have a very open
economy. Total trade stands at over twice our GDP. I think we have managed our
economy prudently and this has put us in a good position," he said.

Abdullah said the country's social safety net must be broadened and
improved to look after less fortunate Malaysians, and the development corridor
initiative was also important because it allowed quality opportunities to be
distributed equitably throughout the country, instead of being concentrated
solely in urban centres.

"I know that people keep asking, "Where are the results", but we should
realise that these are long-term plans which will take a number of years to be
fully implemented. Still, I realise that visible results are important, so I
hope we can make some tangible progress within the next six months."

Asked whether he could get the support of his Cabinet for some of the
reforms to be introduced, he said people usually have different views and there
would be differences of opinion.

"But Insya-Allah (God willing) I am confident that I can get the support.
If not, I will have to find people who will support the changes that I am
proposing," he said.

When asked "Can you get agreement from the Opposition?", his reply was "Why
not?"

"It is up to them. If they want to play politics, they may refrain from
supporting them. They may see that this is fun because if the government cannot
fulfill its proposals, then it would become a point for them to throw into the
face of the government in that we haven't done this or that.

"It will become an issue for their political campaigns but will it be good
for the rakyat (people). I don't think so.

"If that is the approach that they are taking, I will be very sad about it.
You are depriving the people of something that they (the people) want. But the
Opposition want to do things their way, we have our way. But we are ready to
hear what they want to say.

"These proposals are good for the people. Both sides have to accept that
they are not going to get everything, but we should reach enough points of
agreement to pass the bills. I don't think the Opposition will block them just
because of politics. If they did that, then they would be doing a disservice to
the Malaysian public.


"I hope there are enough common areas. At least we have done something. No
law is cast in stone, we can still make some amendments. Let us fight for the
sake of the people."

Abdullah said that also applied to the people in his government.

"If they are not going to help me to do this or oppose, I may have to get
some other people," he said, but did not elaborate.