MARCH 28 — The country is now facing a serious crisis of governance and leadership, as a result of which we are facing dire economic problems, particularly the issue of sovereign debt.

This has brought about several serious economic problems such as the rising cost of living that adversely affects the people.

I have always maintained in the past and warned that if we did not change our politics and the substance of our economic policy, we would face the kind of crisis that we are facing today.

I had warned of this in Parliament and in speeches that I had made. I had been consistent in saying that change is a necessity for us.

Without change in governance and the way we carry out our public responsibility, we will not solve the problems before us.

I am confident that nobody can accuse me of inconsistency in my stand on governance, public responsibility and the need for change.

This has been the theme of my struggle nationally and in Umno since 1987.

I have been consistent in the past and I will be in the future. In the recent past, the demand for change has intensified. Like others who want change, I have explored all legitimate and legal avenues, including the role of the Dewan Rakyat.

In this regard, as a politician I have to operate within the bounds of the Federal Constitution and my political party.

Therefore, the issue of being supportive of the government of the day, and by extension, to the head of the government does not arise.

In trying to be useful and helpful, I am mindful of the problems facing our country and the quagmire that we find ourselves in; for example, the unresolved problem relating to our sovereign debt and its consequences, particularly its impact on the daily lives of the people.

In my speech in Parliament and the letter to the MPs I had warned of the consequences of not managing these debts responsibly. It is, therefore, the duty of all politicians and MPs to rise above personalities and party politics to address the changes that are essential.

At the risk of belabouring the point, it bears reminding that these problems have a negative impact on our economy and our position within the international community.

They need to be resolved quickly and judiciously.

* Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah is the Member of Parliament for Gua Musang. 

** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.