IT’S the neglect of timely repair that makes rebuilding necessary.
The term “fixer” in politics is not laudatory at all. But there is another genre of fixers whose fixation is in setting things right by creating situations where positive change and reform can benefit all the people all the time.
Paul Keating is credited with the observation that “politicians come in three varieties: straight men, fixers, and maddies”. Here ‘maddies’ refer to the crackpots in government who fix the fixers in a bad way.
MADANI government needs fixers who can fix the socio-political and socio-economic woes that have burdened us since the beginning of the first National Economic Policy (NEP).
A Ministry of Repair, Reset and Reconciliation, if established, could very well usher in the necessary and needful fixing that Malaysia urgently needs. Populism aside, the MADANI government cannot afford to ignore the people.
ASEAN chairmanship, encouraging foreign investments and other foreign policy imperatives are equally important as are domestic policy imperatives that shudder, stagger and shy away from getting things done.
The first major fix must visit the hamster-wheel education system whose major function is fixated on offering employment opportunities for teachers and other administrative staff.
Government education fixers will see to it that the syllabus ejects and rejects unwanted subjects to replace them with subjects that will offer hope and promise of a future for the students.
Imparting knowledge to hone skillsets of students is the key to ensuring and assuring a business or labor-ready workforce. The emphasis on memory and passing written examinations is misguided.
Intellectual architects in the education swamp are desperately needed to stop this intellectual bashing and brainwashing that threatens future leadership roles.
A proactive brigade of fixers must realign government to be OIC (Open Inclusive Communicative) for it to be a meaningful problem-solving and not problem-creating mischievous entity after winning the elections.
These topnotch fixers should advise government not to concentrate on celebrating only but to engage in calibrating society’s progress. That makes the soil of the country the soul of the nation that binds us as Malaysians.
Many say the T-R-A-G-E-D-Y (acronym – Tun Razak’s Agenda Generated Endless Dreary Years) wrought by successive, not successful NEPs, needs fixing like never before where the economic pie is sliced on equity principles as equality is mercurial under Article 8(2) Federal Constitution.
The cadre of fixers must ensure that government is no longer allergic or immune to social justice. The discerning citizenry must inculcate the Hegelian philosophy that nothing great was ever accomplished without passion.
Fixers are everywhere but government doesn’t listen. Podcasters, TikTokers and social media views outlets are way ahead showcasing the major problems as incurable optimists without being or becoming pollyannaish.
Constitutional fixers have become a rare breed. The Federal Constitution needs major renovations and replacements, not repairs. As the supreme law of the land, it should not resemble a treasure hunt.
The fixers of the economy seem to focus on all the wrong things. The prices of goods, services and necessities remain a contentious issue for wage earners who make up the middle class.
Another regimen of fixers is needed to discourage and dismantle, if not destroy the tricks and traps of free speech especially by politicians who think they hold the patent.
No government worth its name should reject fixing things for its citizens to breathe the air of freedom and liberty through freedom of choice even when society offers a Hobson’s choice.
This is the age of artificial intelligence (AI) that could threaten replacing government. What a thought! If AI can replace jobs, let its cause and course meander towards government employment. What a fix that would be.
The age of manifesta non indigent probatione – Latin – that which is known need not be proved – must encourage public interest litigation as a Malaysian norm to fix things through judicial fiat provided the other two branches of government care to obey.
Asking for answers from government is like engaging in a game of tennis where the ball is not returned. This is because of moth-eaten policies and procedures dished out by bureaucrats. Major fixing required here.
We are facing a vacuum of discontent without problem fixers. They are probably labeled as more devil than advocate. Protest marches by the legal fraternity does not fix anything.
When was the last time Malaysians heard about a constitutional amendment or a law reform proposal sent by the legal fraternity that was fully debated and discussed by the Legislature and the Executive? What happens when the Bar and Bench quit? Is that a fix?
The moral and intellectual gymnasiums are permanently closed.
“The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education,” remarked Albert Einstein.
Reformasi is almost comatose and in a vegetative state. Nobody wants to fix this national emergency. Purpose is dead. S-h-e-p-p-s (acronym for social harmony, economic prosperity, political stability) is still elusive.
The fundamental liberties listed in Article 5 to Article 13 coupled with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s authority and power of Article 32 right up to Article 42 of the Federal Constitution might well be the ultimate fix.
Ultimately, voters must develop on their own initiative an educational mechanism arming them with the prowess of national fault, flukes and flaws fixers.
MADANI must become alert, awaken and enforce s-h-e-p-p-s with all deliberate speed for national prosperity.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune. The writer can be reached at chiefjudge@secamtektektribe.org.
