Protest Is Not A Solution Stability Is

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 A rally is being planned, this time not to demand reform, justice, or integrity, but to call for the resignation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim under the theme #TurunAnwar.
The organisers claim to speak for the rakyat, to defend the nation, and to hold power to account. But a simple question must be asked: what exactly is being saved, and from whom?
Public dissatisfaction exists. No honest leadership would deny that.
The cost of living continues to rise. Prices of essential goods have gone up. Fuel, including diesel and RON95, remains burdensome. Tariffs strain households. Wages remain flat while competition in the job market intensifies.
ADSThese are legitimate concerns, but none of them can be resolved by removing the head of government midway through a challenging term.
This rally is not emerging from organic civil demand. It is politically driven, led by familiar figures within the opposition who have repeatedly attempted to stir instability through public pressure.
The narrative is predictable: broken promises, cronyism, misuse of laws, excessive spending, rising taxes. These talking points are now rebranded as a movement to “save the country”.
Problems not new
But let us be clear, the challenges we face did not appear overnight. Much of the fiscal pressure we now carry is the result of years of postponed reform and structurally unsustainable policies.
Placing the full blame on the present administration, barely three years into its tenure, is both unfair and unproductive.
Yes, policy must be improved. Tax structures, fuel subsidy adjustments, and rising service charges must be examined closely. Leaders must communicate more clearly and design better safety nets.
But economic frustration is not an excuse to trigger political upheaval. The solution lies in better governance, not in theatrical calls for resignation.
There is a time and place for public protest, but to organise a national mobilisation with the specific goal of ousting a sitting leader is not civic participation. It is performance dressed as democracy.
The struggles we face are not unique. High inflation, youth unemployment, and subsidy restructuring are issues affecting countries across the globe.
Some have responded with reforms, others have fallen into unrest. We must choose wisely which path to follow.
Frequent changes in leadership and fragmented coalitions erode stability, not build it. Every time an administration is disrupted before reforms can take root, progress is reversed.
ADSIn the end, ordinary citizens are the ones who suffer from policy paralysis and prolonged uncertainty.
Reforms need time, stability
The present government inherited an exhausted system, mounting expectations, and limited fiscal space. Despite these constraints, several key reforms have been introduced.
These include more targeted subsidies, improvements in judicial independence, and a medium-term fiscal strategy. They deserve time to take effect.
This does not mean immunity from scrutiny. Accountability must remain a constant. Peaceful assembly is a right. Constructive criticism is a necessity.
However, efforts to inflame unrest for political advantage cross the line between democratic expression and calculated disruption.
Freedom to gather must be preserved, but so too must public order. The police have a responsibility to ensure that peaceful expression is not turned into provocation.
Student protesters burning a caricature of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on June 22In today’s global climate, a single flashpoint can quickly cast long shadows.
Across the globe, many governments have had to revise subsidies and adopt painful reforms. What matters is how such transitions are handled.
Demand results, but reject provocation
In our case, unpopular choices have been paired with transparent explanations and targeted assistance, rather than reckless populism.
Of course, mistakes will occur. No policy is flawless, but the goal should be improvement, not sabotage.
Protests designed solely to trigger leadership collapse do not serve the rakyat. They delay recovery, unsettle markets, and disrupt governance. The cost of instability is always paid by those with the least protection.
Real reform requires continuity. It calls for difficult decisions, public patience, and the space for correction. Change should come through elections, not through roadside declarations.
If there are abuses of power, expose them. If policies are unjust, challenge them. If performance is lacking, vote accordingly.
But to repeatedly destabilise the foundation of governance without presenting a credible alternative weakens the very structure that supports society.
Give this government its time to deliver. Demand results, but reject provocation. Progress requires not only pressure but stability, and it is that stability that allows reform to take root. - Mkini
MAHATHIR MOHD RAIS is a former Federal Territories Bersatu and Perikatan Nasional secretary.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

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