LETTER | Mr PM, keep 'vultures' and cronies at bay

LETTER | Forgive me for being a spoiler but please don’t get me wrong. I am a keen supporter of Anwar Ibrahim since the reformasi days in 1998.

From the bottom of my heart, I wish him success in reforming this country. It is about time; further delay would be too late.

But over the years, I have watched and seen enough of how people in power are often intoxicated and surrounded by coteries of cronies and those with a vested interest.

To me, these are the people that have caused irreparable damage to the country due to their greed and selfishness. They hijacked public policies and national resources - inflicting enormous costs and deprivation on the nation.

I hope the people, media, NGOs and the opposition will continue to pay close attention. We must continue watching the new administration like a hawk. It is better for all of us not to put our leaders on a pedestal as if they can do no wrong.

Let me provide two quotations attributed to writer Robert Ingersoll: (i) “If you want to find out what a man is to the bottom, give him power. Any man can stand adversity — only a great man can stand prosperity” and (ii) “If you want to test a man's character, give him power.”

Let me say it again, I wish our new prime minister well and I really want his administration to succeed. But all of us must be constantly wary of the “vultures and cronies” circling the corridors of power.

These people are up to no good. They are always ready to come up with projects and proposals that take the country to oblivion.

I am aware that many of the problems besetting this country require medium to long-term measures. So, in addition to the “low-hanging” problems that can be resolved quickly, we must give the new administration time.

Let us give ourselves a year or two to see what will happen.

Remember, we were very euphoric when Dr Mahathir Mohamad became the prime minister for the second time in 2018. Hardly six months later, I could sense that everything was again going in the wrong direction.

I hope this time, it is different. First and foremost, we must keep the “vultures and cronies” at bay.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.