UNITY, DIVERSITY AND THE POLITICS OF CONVENIENCE

 

Two Green Issues, Several Political Shadows and a Battery That Will Eventually Run Out.

THE POLITICAL LANDSCAPE

Two green issues deserve our attention: unity and diversity.

These are not merely political slogans. They are part of the foundation upon which this country was built. Unfortunately, some politicians seem to have mistaken national unity for a campaign prop.

Let us revisit two important figures in our political history: Dato' Onn Jaafar and Tunku Abdul Rahman.

Onn Jaafar was among the founding forces behind UMNO in 1946. But his political thinking eventually moved beyond communal boundaries. In 1951, he left UMNO after proposing that the party open its membership to non-Malays. He subsequently established the Independence of Malaya Party (IMP).

Tunku Abdul Rahman took a different political route, building cooperation between the major communities through an alliance that eventually became instrumental in securing independence.

I tend to lean towards Tunku's approach, although Onn's vision should not be dismissed. One was attempting to transform the political structure from within; the other pursued nation-building through political cooperation.

Different roads, but both understood one important thing: Malaya could not be built by one community alone.

THE GREEN FLAG AND THE POLITICAL SHADOW

Now, let us bring this discussion into contemporary politics.

Hadi Awang and Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

I am particularly interested in Sanusi's political positioning. His relationship with the mat salleh seems to be an interesting subject for discussion. Is it genuine engagement with international investors, political rhetoric or simply another way of attracting public attention?

For the record, Sanusi has spoken about Kedah's foreign investment ambitions. In November 2024, he alleged that certain parties were attempting to derail investments in the state, referring to the proposed RM40 billion Langkasuka development in Langkawi and the reported withdrawal of Bin Zayed International Group.

There is nothing wrong with welcoming foreign investors. In fact, every state should be looking for opportunities.

But investment announcements and realised investments are two different things. A memorandum of understanding is not a completed factory, and a press conference is not an economic achievement.

And what about the controversies surrounding women?

In November 2022, Sanusi attracted criticism following remarks questioning whether women candidates could handle constituency responsibilities at all hours, including the early hours of the morning.

There was also public speculation about his personal life in September 2024, which he addressed through a cryptic public remark concerning a second marriage.

Personal matters are personal matters. However, when a public figure chooses to bring them into political speeches, public scrutiny naturally follows.

My question is simple: can we spend less time on political theatre and more time discussing what Kedahans actually receive in return for their mandate?

WHAT HAS KEDAH ACTUALLY GAINED?

Let us examine three areas.

First, healthcare.

Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah is an established public hospital in Alor Setar, not a newly delivered hospital under the present administration. Its infrastructure and facilities continue to require attention.

Its 2024 annual report records RM77.27 million in expenditure under the relevant procurement and development allocation, including infrastructure-related works.

I would like to see a clearer account of what has been completed, what remains outstanding and what new healthcare facilities Kedah genuinely needs.

Second, rice.

Kedah is the country's rice bowl. This is not a small responsibility.

In February 2024, Sanusi announced plans for a special Kedah rice brand intended to be sold at a cheaper price. However, in March 2024, MADA chairman Ismail Salleh reportedly clarified that the state government had not even applied for the relevant rice-milling licence.

So, where does the proposal stand today?

And what about the ZRA issue? Has the relevant payment been made? Who owes whom, under which agreement, and where are the supporting documents?

I would like to see the agreement, payment records and official confirmation before drawing conclusions.

There is another development worth noting. In September 2026, MACC opened an investigation into delays in distributing additional paddy fertiliser to farmers in Kedah. The reported figures were 616,015 bags scheduled for supply, against 333,655 delivered by September.

This is not the same as the ZRA matter, but it raises another important question about agricultural administration.

Third, political cooperation.

Why attack the Pakatan Harapan faction so aggressively when cooperation could potentially benefit the state?

A government should be judged by what it delivers, not by how many enemies it can identify.

THE FOREIGN CONNECTION

Whenever a political leader signs an MoU or agreement with a foreign entity, I believe three questions must be asked.

1. Which political party or political organisation in that foreign country is involved?
2. What political ideology or interests does that organisation represent?
3. Which Government-Linked Companies (GLCs), government agencies or private entities are participating?

These questions are particularly important when public money, strategic assets or government-linked businesses are involved.

An agreement is not simply a handshake between two gentlemen in expensive suits. There may be financial obligations, commercial interests and political consequences attached to it.

And since we are discussing transparency, allegations involving DAP deserve the same standard of scrutiny.

In July 2021, a DAP life member lodged a report with MACC alleging money laundering involving four party leaders and more than RM1 million in state and party funds.

Separately, in February 2020, Penang DAP and state government representatives denied allegations linking their leaders to an individual connected to a drug syndicate investigation.

Let us be clear: a police report is not a conviction, and an association with an individual is not proof of criminal involvement.

If there is evidence of money laundering, investigate it. If there is evidence of illicit business dealings, bring it to the authorities.

The same rule applies to PAS, UMNO, PKR, Bersatu, DAP and everyone else.

Take the good, discard the bad. Accountability should not have a party membership card.

MELAKA: GIVE RAUF ANOTHER ROUND?

Now, let us move the file to Melaka.

My personal position is that Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh should be given the opportunity to serve a second term as Chief Minister.

I am not suggesting that he should receive a blank cheque. Far from it.

He should be judged by his performance, his administration and, most importantly, his ability to manage the state's resources.

On 3 November 2026, Rauf denied claims that Melaka had 55 problematic projects and disputed allegations that state expenditure was three times its revenue. He argued that some projects were inherited from previous administrations, while many fell under federal implementation coordination.

That explanation deserves examination, not automatic acceptance or rejection.

There is also the sand-mining issue.

I have come across rumours suggesting that Rauf himself is implicated in a sand-related controversy. However, we must distinguish between an allegation, a reported environmental application and evidence of wrongdoing.

For example, the Department of Environment's public records contain an environmental impact assessment document concerning an application for a licence to extract seabed sand in Melaka. The project proponent named in that document is Marina Goldsands Sdn Bhd.

That document establishes the existence of an environmental assessment process. It does not, by itself, establish that Rauf personally benefited from the project or committed any offence.

This is precisely why I want to examine the matter in two parts.

Who received the approvals? Who were the concession holders? What were the financial arrangements? And was the environmental impact properly assessed?

Follow the documents, not the gossip.

THE UNITY GOVERNMENT EXPERIMENT

I also believe Melaka has an opportunity to explore a broader political arrangement.

A Unity Government need not be restricted to the existing political partners. Even PAS could potentially become part of such an arrangement if there were genuine willingness from both sides.

We should not automatically compare Melaka with Selangor, Kedah, Penang or any other state.

Every state has its own political characteristics.

Political coalitions can operate through different arrangements, ranging from assimilation to pluralism. The important thing is whether the arrangement can produce stability without sacrificing accountability.

Ultimately, I have two items permanently marked on The checklist:

1. Corruption cases.

2. Government-Linked Companies.

These two areas deserve more attention than endless political arguments about who is more Malay, more Islamic, more patriotic or more qualified to lead.

A government can change its political partners overnight. But public money does not magically replenish itself.

THE OPERATIVE'S FINAL NOTE

My position remains unchanged.

Give Rauf the opportunity to serve a second term, provided the people of Melaka are satisfied with his performance and the democratic process allows it.

I am not particularly interested in seeing politicians removed simply because their opponents dislike them.

Sometimes, the best political examination is to allow a leader enough time to demonstrate what he can actually deliver.

Eventually, even the strongest battery runs out of power.

And when that happens, nobody needs to pull the plug.

The file remains open. Unity is the slogan, diversity is the promise, but accountability is the real examination.