Reforms need unity govt buy-in, says Anwar

The Star

a day ago

KUALA LUMPUR: Carrying out major reforms is a gradual process that requires consensus from within the unity government, said Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
The Prime Minister acknow­ledged that there have been questions over the pace of reforms under his administration, with progress in some areas not as fast as some had hoped for.
However, Anwar implored his impatient detractors to look at realpolitik.
'Number one, if you talk about Keadilan (PKR), we have 36 (Mem­bers of Parliament) in Parliament, and if you talk about Pakatan Harapan, we have 82.
'It is not even a simple majority,' he said in his speech when launching the i-RISE Centre of Excellence here yesterday.
Hence, it was necessary to get support for reforms, which inclu­ded backing from the ruling elite and professionals.
'And what are the stages? Where do you begin?
'Can you undertake this massive reform in a year, or two or three years?
'I don't know, but what I know is that there's no turning back.
'I am certain every month and every year, there must be some progression,' said Anwar, who is also Pakatan chairman.
He reiterated that it is crucial that members of the coalition within his administration work together to usher in the necessary reforms.
'We are fortunate because Umno and Barisan Nasional have turned out to be one of the core pillars committed to this reform and support,' he said.
However, he acknowledged that the process of bringing reforms should not be taken for granted because it requires crucial negotiations, discussion and engagement.
'Why say all these points? Because they are relevant.
'If we do not get the consensus with key parties, including, of course, GPS and GRS, then how do we support programmes like these?' he added.
In a Facebook post on June 8, Subang MP Wong Chen said he was taking a two-week break to ponder his future in politics.
The three-term PKR backbencher, who is now on holiday with his family in France, expressed concern that Pakatan's report card is abysmal as far as reforms are concerned.
'So much time (15 years) and effort has been spent getting into power, but now, I can't help but feel a deep worry that we have so few reforms to show.
'I know we can achieve more reforms, and the only way to do this is if we, the MPs, push the government harder from the backbench.'