Good governance in a racist environment

I do not envy Lim Guan Eng's position, having to face up to unreasonable opposition in his quest for better governance in Penang. Reading today's Star, one would get the impression that his Penang government is facing an insurmountable problem with the Hindraf group. But the paper has an agenda of its own political master, MCA, and one should read it with an open mind.

I would tend to agree with Thomas Lee (his letter below, published in Malaysia Today) that Pakatan Rakyat should be strict in their implementation of policies in accordance with the laws. The lead party in a state should be given the power to decide what's best for the state and the other coalition partners should respect decisions by the state leaders. What we have seen were attempts at challenging the authority of the Chief Minister as well as unreasonable demands by certain groups. If only they are reasonable in their approach and are able to understand the constraints under which the CM administers, then there is hope that Pakatan can achieve good governance for the states it governs for now and hopefully, for the country in the future.

No stopping the political reformation
The Pakatan Rakyat state government and the coalition leadership cannot afford to be soft on discipline, and the taking of stern action, including sacking, against errant councillors must be supported and commended.

Many of these small-time appointed councillors are causing much embarassment to the coalition by their uncouth behaviour in public.

The Pakatan Rakyat leadership must stop all such nonsense if they want to continue the political reformation momentum started since the March general election last year. The impetus gained by the people movement for change and progress since then must not be frustrated by the selfish ambition of some little petty party warlords in demanding and fighting for positions and perks.

The Competency, Accountability and Transparency (CAT) slogan of the Penang Pakatan Rakyat state government should not be seen as a popular publicity slogan without substance and content, but must be the clarion trumpet war cry against all forms of corruption, cronoyism and the craze for positions, power and perks among the little petty party warlords. The slogan should be vocally and visibly demonstrated in the steadfast dedication of both the coalition and the state government in their socio-economic political agenda to work for a peaceful, prosperous, proactive, progressive and pro bono publico Malaysia.

The political changement de pieds started on 8th March last year, and the revolutionary dance must continue with the increasing fast tempo of dramatic and wide-reaching changes in the administrative mindset, culture and practices, starting from the exemplary leadership at the top and filtering down to the grassroots local council level.

Nothing and nobody should be allowed to stand in the way of the revolutionary velocity forward to achieve a clean, corrupt-free, and competent government by the people, with the people, for the people.

I salute you, Guan Eng, for what you are doing and what you have pledged to do for Penang, and will give you full support, but I will not hesitate to challenge and castrate you politically if you divert from the narrow and straight path of righteouness. Rest assured that many right-thinking and concerned citizens will mobilize to support you in your brave and bold crusade in cleaning up the massive mess in Penang, accumulated over the years by an incompetent and inefficient administration.

Thomas Lee

While on the subject of politics, Charles Hector's poser seems timely for discussion and consideration:

http://charleshector.blogspot.com/2009/07/re-defining-relationship-between-mpadun.html