THE few days after the 15th General Election (GE15) were disturbing. The inconclusive outcome, with no party achieving a clear victory, showed the darker side of the power struggle.
The scramble to form the new government by the different political blocs was seen by many to be toxic rather than the expected statesmanship. It is difficult to hide in this era when cameras have lenses which can see even at very difficult angles.
There was no decorum at all in the power grab. It appeared as if the interest of the nation was put on the lowest rung, or even ignored completely, in the struggle to wrest control and claim victory.
It was almost a zero-sum game. This is definitely not what the nation wants to witness.
Fortunately, the king handled the crisis well. Many analysts interviewed on TV expressed the utmost appreciation for the manner the stalemate was eventually resolved. Obviously, past experiences in the handling of such crisis came in handy.
Initially, the earlier process of using statutory declarations to show support for the prime minister candidate was tried. This was later changed because of the realisation of the unreliability of individual declarations. The newly enforced anti-hopping law also helped change the process of naming the person who enjoyed the most support from the elected members of parliament.
Many saw that it was inevitable Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim would finally be given the clearance to assume the highest office in the nation.
All agree that it has been an extremely long wait for Anwar, going through the trials and tribulations never before experienced by any Malaysian.
I have known Anwar since our days in Malay College Kuala Kangsar. He was two years my senior. We already saw then that he would one day assume the highest office. We always looked forward to the many debates organised by the college then.
And, Anwar was always there to educate and thrill us on the affairs of the nation with his brand of elocution that was unmatched by other students. At that time, we were embroiled in a conflict with Indonesia (konfrontasi).
Few would disagree that the nation's 10th PM is a resilient individual.
One could see his strong commitment to the interests of the nation, above all else, as he faced the press.
He showed composure, a sign that the nation may, at long last, have a leader who can start the urgent process of national healing.
After the toxic hate speeches of the GE15 campaign, it is time to bring sanity to the nation as we struggle to cope with current realities. The economy and livelihood of the common folk should be at the top of the agenda now.
All the world economic pundits agree with the projection that the world will face a recession in 2023.
Cushioning the adverse impact of this downturn should be the priority now.
It has been suggested by analysts that the office of finance minister is critical to effectively manage such economic risks. Many names have been proposed by economists for that position.
There is no doubt we need to have someone who not only understand the economic pains that the nation has endured, but also has a good grasp of global business and opportunities.
As a nation that's dependent on exports, knowing when to strategise to capture global business opportunities is critical.
One name which has been suggested is Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, a one-time second finance minister.
As Anwar sets about selecting his cabinet, social media is replete with concerns and suggestions to move from a zero-sum game to win-win arrangements to heal the nation.
Judging by the flurry of views and also Anwar's composure in the face of so many challenges, all agree that we now have the right person for the job. We should all pray for the best.