PENANG: The Barisan Nasional (BN) government must strengthen its resolve and redouble efforts to show real and concrete results as soon as possible for the various reforms that it has promised the people.
Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon said concrete results would restore the people’s confidence and respect, not just for BN as an effective ruling coalition, but more importantly, for the major institutions of the country, such as the judiciary, the executive, the civil service and the police.
Commenting on the BN’s defeat in the Permatang Pauh by-election on Tuesday, Koh said this was another wake-up call for the BN.
Koh, who is also Penang BN chairman, said reforms must also encompass the major nation-building policies and strategies for the country in the various spheres, such as the economy, education, environment and quality of life, which should include improved public transportation, and affordable and better housing.
“At the same time, the government should also find ways to enhance the opportunities for Malaysians to increase their income as well as to reduce the cost of living and the cost of doing business.
“BN and its various component parties must review and revive its policies and programmes to enable BN to continue to be relevant, especially to the younger generations.
“While the by-election results showed the preference of the Permatang Pauh voters, BN must also take serious note that it may well be reflective of the overall perception and feeling of Malaysians elsewhere,” Koh said in a statement.
He stressed that BN must acknowledge and address the people’s dissatisfaction and even disenchantment with the establishment for what was perceived as a lack of commitment, communication and concrete results, especially in the past two years.
“Gerakan will proceed with our own internal reforms, while pushing for major reforms within the BN and the government. Gerakan will continue to be a voice of the people within and outside the BN. We will also push for viable solutions,” he added.
