Policy U-turns in Malaysia have led to a lack of trust in government programs and policies, according to independent political analyst Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani. This lack of trust is evident in the low number of registrations for PADU, Malaysia’s central data hub aimed at collecting income data for targeted subsidies. Initially aiming for 29 million registrations by a deadline, the government had to lower its target to 11 million due to slow sign-ups and concerns about cybersecurity and trust deficits. After registration closed, PADU’s total enrollment including children was 17.65 million.
During the COVID-19 pandemic under former premier Muhyiddin Yassin’s administration, Malaysians were frustrated by perceived flip-flops in regulations, such as work-from-home guidelines and product sales in stores during lockdowns. Professor Said Bani noted that recent policy reversals create a perception of inconsistency in policy execution and transparency, impacting public confidence in digitalization efforts. He suggested that these U-turns reflect a reactive approach, raising questions about the government’s coordination and clarity in policymaking processes.
The underlying reason for policy U-turns, according to Dr. Ong, is a lack of hands-on and minds-on approach in policy design and execution. Policymakers should conduct proof of concepts, pilot projects, and stress testing before implementing policies that affect a large number of users. Mr. Asrul Hadi highlighted a persistent issue across Malaysian administrations where grand blueprints were not effectively communicated to civil servants expected to implement policies. Additionally, there is criticism for failing to engage actively with the industry and the public, resulting in a lack of foresight on potential public backlash and unsatisfactory policy implementation.
The lack of active engagement with stakeholders during policy implementation leads to reversals or U-turns by the federal government, according to Mr. Asrul Hadi Abdullah Sani. This lack of foresight results in policies that are poorly implemented and do not align with the needs and expectations of the public. The inconsistency in policy execution and lack of transparency further erode public confidence in the government’s ability to carry out its digitalization efforts effectively. The reactive approach to policy changes raises concerns about the government’s policymaking processes and coordination.
It is crucial for policymakers to be proactive in engaging with stakeholders, conducting pilot projects, and stress testing policies before wide implementation, as suggested by Dr. Ong. This hands-on and minds-on approach can help prevent unnecessary U-turns and ensure that policies are well thought out and align with the needs of the public. The failure to implement policies effectively and engage with stakeholders has been a persistent issue across administrations in Malaysia, leading to a lack of trust in government programs and policies. By addressing these issues and adopting a more proactive approach to policy design and implementation, the government can regain public confidence and avoid future policy U-turns.
