Rakyat craves action from unity government - Analyst
SHAH ALAM - Today's citizens are an intelligent and informed generation capable of critically analysing the information they receive.
Therefore, it is essential not to underestimate them by presenting technical news and information in an attempt to convey messages.
Political analyst Afi Roshezry Abu Bakar emphasised that relying on image-building, creating myths and generating hype to garner support, while hoping to persuade passive voters, was an outdated strategy in the current environment saturated with information and disinformation.
"The citizens earnestly hope that the leaders of the country will highlight their commitment to a robust democracy, enabling Malaysia to further progress in upholding human rights and individual freedoms.
"The people are discerning and well aware of the mistakes made by various governments in the past.
"Therefore, it would be more effective if members of the unity government refrain from the habitual blame game directed at previous administrations when communicating ongoing policy decisions to the public," the senior lecturer from University Tunku Abdul Rahman told Sinar Daily.
He stressed the need for members of the unity government to tailor their message to resonate with the diverse communities in the country.
"Malaysia is characterised by its diverse population.
"The existing political leaders should know how to address the citizens nationwide.
"If the issue concerns Perlis, it should be addressed in a localised manner.
"Similarly, matters related to the people of Kelantan need not delve into state politics but can be addressed through localised policies," he added.
Recent media reports have indicated that the government was struggling to respond to rising living costs with various stopgap measures that appeared poorly coordinated and lack understanding and insight into current issues.
"On this note, I believe that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim needs a capable adviser to address the concerns raised by local communities promptly.
"The adviser should possess knowledge across all aspects of the diverse communities in the country," Afi added.
He highlighted that people were often confused and unsure about what to believe, especially in the face of widespread misinformation in today's social media landscape.
"The country is currently too fragmented to be governed efficiently.
"While it may be a democracy with signs of economic growth, these positive developments occur because of the people.
"The government is expected to take proactive steps and present its proposed economic recovery packages," he added.
