No News Is Bad News
For image info, go to https://www.nst.com.my/opinion/leaders/2023/04/895601/nst-leader-malaysia-china-ties (NST Leader: Malaysia-China ties)
US irked by Malaysia’s strong economic ties with China?
KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 2, 2023: The Anwar Ibrahim-led Unity Government (UG)’s strong economic ties with China seems to have incurred the wrath of the US.
Suspected CIA-backed political website, Malaysia Chronicle, has posted a report titled “BOMBSHELL - CABINET RESHUFFLE 'MAJOR YAWN' - 'THE MAIN PROBLEM IS ANWAR, NOT ONLY HIS CABINET' - HAVE MALAYSIANS ALREADY LOST HOPE ANWAR CAN DO ANYTHING FOR THEM OR THE COUNTRY? - LESS THAN A YEAR ON, MANY ARE ALREADY WAITING TO VOTE HIM OUT!”
It has boldly, without any evidence or facts, written off Anwar as falling out of the favour of Malaysians and that they are waiting to vote him out (in the next general election which must be held in 2027).
Malaysians should not be overly concerned with the report which is clearly a US-interest political propaganda against China.
Between the US and China, history has shown that China is more reliable in terms of economic development and investment, whereas the “bankrupt” US conrinues with its global economic and geo-political inyerests to maintain its N,o.1 super power status.
However, it will do well for Anwar to start asserting his power as prime minister for “reformation” of politics and governance, lest Malaysians start labellling his as a NATO (No Action Talk Only) leader.
No News Is Bad News reproduces below the damning report on Anwar and his UG:
BOMBSHELL - CABINET RESHUFFLE 'MAJOR YAWN' - 'THE MAIN PROBLEM IS ANWAR, NOT ONLY HIS CABINET' - HAVE MALAYSIANS ALREADY LOST HOPE ANWAR CAN DO ANYTHING FOR THEM OR THE COUNTRY? - LESS THAN A YEAR ON, MANY ARE ALREADY WAITING TO VOTE HIM OUT!
KUALA LUMPUR (Politics Now!) - Despite talk of a Cabinet reshuffle swirling around town, there is little excitement. It is as if the people have already given up on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and increasingly see him as a 'tin kosong' or empty vessel leader.
"Current cabinet lacks vision. Even a reshuffle won't help much. The main problem is with Anwar. Not only the Cabinet," Dr Afif Bahardin, the Bersatu assemblyman for Taman Medan in Selangor told Politics Now!
The much-touted revamp will be the embattled Anwar's first since forming a unity government last year. He is seen as politically too weak to try and 'rock the boat' as many of the portfolios are held by the very watchful and sensitive Umno, a key ally in the Anwar administration.
Just the hint of a threat by the Zahid Hamidi-led Umno to withdraw from the government will be most embarrassing for Anwar - especially after sticking his neck out to the extent he has been accused by long-time supporters of abandoning reforms and even scruples, after Zahid, who is his DPM, was mysteriously freed from massive and serious corruption charges.
Anwar himself has indicated the changes will be minimal - mainly to appoint a new Domestic Trade and Cost of Living minister after the tragic death of the previous one. His own PKR party holds the lion's share of ministerial posts together with Umno and he is unlikely to want to trigger more upheavals there either.
"I don't think Anwar will remove anyone. It will be like musical chairs," former MP for Batu Tian Chua told Politics Now!
"We won't see a major reshuffle. At most, 2 or 3 ministries. Anwar will take a conservative and cautious stance not to cause too much internal unhappiness by replacing the current ones."
There was some excitement when the PM's car was seen going through the Palace gates on Friday morning that the Cabinet reshuffle was finally happening. Although it turned out to be a routine audience with the King, Anwar has admitted he is "thinking about it" and needed to find a new Domestic Trade and Cost of Living minister.
ONCE IN POWER, IT'S ALL ABOUT PERSONAL POWER!
Unfortunately or Anwar, it may be a case of too little, too late. By now, most Malaysians - familiar with his decades-old style of grandiose rhetoric but little follow-through action - disbelieve there is anything he can or will do to alleviate their plight. including tackling rising prices and joblessness with any degree of success.
Many even think he not only does not have the solutions, but is not even interested as he has been focusing on political moves to shore up his own power.
His inner circle, studded with Little Napoleons, has been heavily criticized for trampling on human rights and clamping down on critics, blogs, social media. Needless to say, political rivals in the both the opposition and within his own coalition have not been spared - and enforcement authorities including the police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission have been set on them, sparking a climate of fear.
"(Economic) logic doesn’t help people feeling the pinch of the rise in the cost of living. And that worry is compounded by their perception that the government is not serious about the problem because the Domestic Trade and Cost of Living minister’s post has remained vacant since July," wrote a report in the Star newspaper.
"Some feel that there should be a Cabinet reshuffle regardless. That opinion is also coming from within Anwar’s administration. Call it friendly fire," was another comment.
REGIME STUDDED WITH 'LITTLE NAPOLEONS'?
Indeed, the impending changes to the Cabinet are not only about carrying Anwar to a full term. The impression is that Anwar or, at least his inner circle, is hopeful of a second term for the boss.
Obviously, this would allow the Little Napoleons to hang onto their cushy posts even though Anwar would be 80 by the next general election, which has to be called by 2027.
Perhaps the saying that 'power corrupts' is ringing true once again in Malaysia - this time tolled by Anwar and his overly-ambitious coterie of 'advisers'. After getting into the corridors of power, the politicos somehow forget that voters have brains too!
It is no wonder that the odds of Anwar being able to even complete one term in office are already being called - let alone a 'second' term as PM!
"The ordinary folk are not going to buy accounts of rosy economic statistics unless they can feel it in their pockets," wrote another report.
- Politics Now!
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