Is There a Bad Or Good Government?

After the Malaysian general election on March 8, 2008, we heard people from all walks of life talking about “Political Tsunami” and it has been going on ever since.

Malaysia had a surprise election result, the Barisan Nasional dropped down from its overwhelming control of Parliament to a simple majority. Additionally, the alliance was voted out in five important states. The results have brought into the open the strong discontent among the ethnic minorities – the Chinese and Indians as well a loss of support among the Malays.

The rakyat has been asking “WHY”. A once mighty giant (BN) swept by the tsunami political wave and ended up like a limping cow.  In this election, it won just 51% of the votes; and 63% of parliamentary seats. This was its worst performance ever in Malaysia’s 50 years of independence, and crucially, for the first time since 1969, the BN lost the two-thirds majority in parliament it needs to amend the constitution.

If we care to notice, all  great empires or government in the world will have its share of time. All of them have had their great times and  as history has proven it, there will be a time that their supremcy ends.

So, is this the beginning of the end of the once mighty BN? Will there be changes in the political scenario in Malaysia after 50 years?  Is this the time? It seems that there are so many questions dangling around ever since the March 8, 2008 election.

As I have said earlier, the BN has been in power for the past 50 years and no change of government has ever taken place. So I don’t have the liberty to compare between a good government and a bad government in terms of BN governance. They are everything from good to bad. From bad to worst.

In this article, I would like to talk on all the governments in Sabah. Why Sabah? Well because I am from Sabah and I have tasted and went through all kind of government ever since Sabah got its independent from the British. And foremost because Sabah has the most number of government changed and the most numbers of Chief Ministers in the history of Malaysia. Though how much I, being a Sabahan, hated and ashamed to admit it, one can not erease the truth. It will forever be in the histroy of Sabah!

A very brief history on the changes of Sabah Government
- UNKO government was the first party to rule Sabah in 1963. At that time the late Tun Mustapha, who was the Head of State, wasn’t too happy with his limited role in the Government. So he orchestrated to remove UNKO and meanwhile had SCA to fill in the shoe as the Government. USNO took over from SCA as the Government. Meanwhile UNKO was disbanded. Unhappy with the rampant abuse of power and corruption by USNO, Berjaya party was formed to overthrow the USNO Government. Berjaya Government was then overthrown by the PBS party largely due to the iron-fist rule by the then CM and allegation of corruption by his cronies. PBS quit BN on the eve of 1994 general election, incurred the wreath by some of its ADUN becoming ‘frogs’. These ‘frogs’ joined BN and due to that BN has ruled Sabah state till today. Within the short span ( 15 years) of BN in power in Sabah, there are 7 chief ministers rotated within the BN coalition. Another history for Sabah! This rotation of chief ministers was mooted by the then Prime Minister. Personally, I would say that the rotation of CM is an insult to Sabahans and was indirectly implicating that Sabahans are crazy of power. Everyone wanted to be a CM! So give lah…each party ( UMNO, SAPP, PDS, LDP ) 2 years!

I came to this world, a ’stage’ for actors as our real world is yet to come for all of us who are still alive now, before the Malaysia Day Sept 16, 1963. UNKO didn’t have the time to prove itself in governing the state. USNO in the first few years was good but towards the end they became ARROGANT. The CM wanted to become a sultan and fall out of favour with the federal government. With the help of the central government  Berjaya party took over. Because of  ARROGANT ,  CRONYISM and CORRUPTION they too were humbly shown the way out. PBS has its share of CORRUPTION , CRONYISM and of course ‘FROGS’ that brought them down. And now the BN Government though CORRUPTION and CRONYISM exist but due to the helping hand of RACIST ,  DIVIDE AND RULE POLICY ,  ONE-SIDED MEDIA and the infamous ‘PROJECT I/C’ ,  they are still in power.

Generally, governments are cast out from office primarily due to  CORRUPTION , CRONYISM, RACIST, FAVOURITISM AND ARROGANT

Is there actually any good Government?  Yes all governments are good but only in the first few years in power. A good governance is the process whereby public institutions conduct public affairs, manage public resources and guarantee the realisation of human rights essentially free of abuse and corruption, and with due regard for the rule of law.

Bad government? ALL!!  There will to be  ARROGANT, RACIST, CORRUPTION,  FAVOURITISM and CRONYISM  act after being in power too long. It’s the greedy human nature that once they are in power they tend to sweep all the state riches into their bank account. Tell me of one soul in Malaysia who has been in power that is not rich??? Do you think that their salary of being a minister or MP or ADUN for just a few years can really buy them those millions ringgits bungalows? 

A party being in power too long is not healthy. The so-called leaders of the day, will forget in what they stand for in the first place – to get rid of a bad government! In time, they too joined the bandwagon of bad governments. 

I don’t believe in being patriotic to any one party in the name of my race or religion. Being patriotic to the your race, religion and country..YES. But not to certain party or individual. Especially if the party or government has diverted from its duty of being a good government. A government for all Malaysian irrespective of their colours or religions and essentially free of abuse and corruption.

Simply said – Don’t let a single government stay in power too long!