Being the prime minister of a multi-racial country like Malaysia is definitely an onerous responsibility and the job carries a heavy responsibility to continue the nation's progress and to ensure that peace and racial harmony is maintained.

No one doubts that Dr Mahathir was the driving force that enabled the nation to transform itself from an agriculture-based economy into a major force in the manufacturing field. However let us not detract from the efforts of others in his team who provided the leadership that enabled the many thousands of small and medium industries that embraced the vision and invested money and labour to support the national agenda.

Unfortunately a PM is somewhat like one's spouse. You have to take the good with the bad. Many have already detailed the excesses that came with mega-projects of dubious feasibility that had to be bailed out with taxpayers' monies. Older readers will recall that the BMF affair in the 80s was never solved and one Malaysian was murdered in that case.

How can we avoid a repeat of history? We should consolidate the good features and reduce most of the bad and Malaysia will once again capture world headlines for the right reasons.

Recent moves by the government provide a full agenda for at least another four years of hard work. These include

  • English as a major language in national schools.
  • The reevaluation of tertiary programs to produce employable graduates.
  • The national service scheme for young adults.
  • Flood alleviation projects for peninsular Malaysia.

Before projects are announced or awarded, there should be a proper feasibility study with agreed design specifications so that cost overruns are kept within a clearly defined limit such as 15% of the overall project. The recent rail controversy indicates that it was a case of form over substance.

Ministers should not waste time at such signing ceremonies if there is no real intention to carry out the project. Any cost overrun can only be approved by a finance committee which includes opposition MPs.

Government officers who report corruption or malpractice to the press should be exempted from the OSA. This last resort can be allowed if no action is taken when reported to the ACA. One other measure is to make public all official papers after say 20 years so that we can learn some simple truths.

On a political note we could follow the example of Japan. The Japanese PM recently had to compete with four others for the leadership of his party. Perhaps we should change the role of the Deputy PM so that it is not necessary for him to be the heir apparent in Malaysia as perceived at the moment.

We should consider a change so that the Deputy PM is strictly the PM's choice who will help him shoulder the heavy burden of office. After a maximum of two terms or until he reaches 70 years, the PM should retire and his deputy leaves with him. The new PM is then selected from the party ranks and his deputy may contest if qualified.