20/03/2026

FRIDAY | MAR 20, 2026

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COMMENT by Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Transactional vs transformational change

A RECENT conversation on reform touched on a few concerns. When the Unity government rode to power on a wave of reformist fervour, the mandate was clear: to rescue Malaysia from the mire of institutional decay and grand corruption, and to rebuild a nation on the principles of justice, good governance and economic dignity – the very essence of “Madani”. Today, a sobering assessment is taking hold. While the government can point to tangible, even commendable, deliverables – from targeted subsidy rationalisation to a more predictable foreign policy – a growing chorus argues that these are largely transactional adjustments, not the deep, systemic transformation promised. The critique is potent: the engine of the state is being polished, not rebuilt. However, there is undeniable progress that should not be dismissed. The bold, independent pursuit of high-profile corruption cases, regardless of political affiliation, marks a stark departure from the past. The tabling of the Public Finance and Fiscal Responsibility Act, the planned reforms to the Procurement Act and the cleanup of political financing laws are foundational pieces of a new governance architecture. Economically, the focus on attracting quality foreign direct investment in tech and green energy is a strategic pivot. These are not mere transactions; they are necessary repairs to a battered system. Yet, the shadow over this progress is the persistent inertia within Malaysia’s non-performing and politically compromised institutions. This is where the “transactional vs transformational” critique finds its strongest footing. Reforming an institution is not about changing its leadership alone; it is about dismantling perverse incentives, rewriting obsolete rules and instilling a new, fearless culture. Take the civil service. Long used as Q: I ADMIT I’m a workaholic. Over the next year, I want to be more present with my wife and children and less consumed by work. However, I worry that I have lost the ability to step off the treadmill and leave the rat race behind. What suggestions do you have? Focus on the Family Malaysia: Clearly identifying your priorities can help you regain a sense of focus but first you need to reflect on what and who matters most to you. While making major lifestyle changes may be worth considering in the long run, the immediate key is to learn how to shift gears: to slow down, disconnect from work and mentally transition into being

an instrument of political patronage and ethnic management – its transformation into a streamlined, meritocratic and performance-driven engine is fundamental to any national reform. While there is talk of digitalisation and efficiency, the entrenched systems of promotion, the culture of risk-averse bureaucracy and its sheer, bloated size remain largely unaddressed. A transformational approach would involve a painful, comprehensive restructuring – a political third rail few dare to touch. Similarly, the reform of government-linked companies and investment arms remains incremental. While there is better governance reporting, their fundamental role in the ecosystem – crowding out private enterprise, serving as a repository for political appointments and carrying massive debt – requires a radical reimagining. Are they to be truly commercialised or merely better managed vehicles of state policy? The answer remains ambiguous. The most telling example is perhaps the educational and judiciary systems. To transform a nation, you must transform how its children think and how justice is perceived. While budgets are increased, the curriculum’s insularity, the emphasis on rote learning and the stark quality disparity between schools perpetuate the very inequalities Madani seeks to erase. The judiciary, though more respected now, operates within a framework of laws that still contain draconian and illiberal elements. Repealing or radically amending these, rather than just promising not to abuse them, is the hallmark of transformational change.

While the government can point to tangible, even commendable, deliverables, a growing chorus argues that these are largely transactional adjustments, not the deep, systemic transformation promised. – BERNAMAPIC

“Reforming an institution is not

and she is most likely to reciprocate. 0 Start dating again, preferably weekly. Invite her out, make an effort to dress up, try new places and enjoy each other’s company. Reminisce about what drew you together in the first place and take time to dream about the future. 0 Develop new shared interests or revisit ones you once enjoyed together. Your marriage is worth the effort – choose each day, making it a priority. This article is contributed by Focus on the Family Malaysia, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and strengthening the family unit. It provides a myriad of programmes and resources, including professional counselling services, to the community. For more information, visit family.org.my. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com the government to match its transactional competence with transformational courage. The electorate’s patience is sustained by the belief that these first steps are a prelude to a longer, more arduous journey. They must see that the cleanup is not just of the people who broke the system but also of the system itself. The Madani promise will ultimately be judged not by the bad apples it jails but by the rotten barrels it dares to rebuild. The time for cautious polish is over; the nation awaits the architect. ProfDatuk Dr Ahmad Ibrahim is affiliated with the Tan Sri Omar Centre for STI Policy Studies at UCSI University and is an adjunct professor at the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya. Comments: letters@thesundaily.com

brought you together is a process. By taking small, intentional steps and making the most of everyday, you can move towards that goal. 0 Start by committing to fight the negative and preconceived beliefs that have built up over the years. 0 Write a list of the things you cherish about your spouse, both from when you first met and now. Read that list daily and continue adding to it. 0 Look for at least one opportunity each day to compliment your wife – express gratitude or offer encouragement. Aim to spend about 20 minutes daily simply talking – without complaining, arguing or managing logistics – just connecting. 0 Become a student of your spouse. When you express genuine curiosity about what interests her, like when you first met, you will discover new ways to support and appreciate her – This is the central dilemma of the Madani administration. It is led by a lifelong reformist navigating the confines of realpolitik. The fear is that in prioritising stability and incremental wins, the window for deep, disruptive change – the kind that alters a nation’s trajectory – may close. Corruption cases will be fought in court but the ecosystem that breeds corruption may be left intact. Therefore, the call is not to deny the progress made but to challenge however, powerful, entrenched interests: the party warlords whose power bases depend on patronage, the bureaucracy resistant to accountability and the racial champions who profit from a divided citizenry. It requires spending political capital, not conserving it. For a government surviving on a delicate parliamentary majority, every radical move risks the stability of the coalition itself. disrupts

a loving husband and attentive father, much like slipping into a comfortable old shirt, you can fully settle into being at home. Focus on the present moment and allow business concerns to wait. Q: My wife and I have been married for 30 years, but we seem to be growing further apart each day. Aside from our children, grandchildren and shared community involvement, we hardly communicate. What can we do to reconnect and restore our relationship to what it once was? Focus on the Family Malaysia: Remember that love is a choice. Healthy relationships are built when both partners choose to love each other, even in moments when they may not feel like it. Rediscovering the bond that first about changing its leadership alone; it is about dismantling perverse incentives, rewriting obsolete rules and instilling a new, fearless culture.

Why this gap between intention and outcome? The answer lies in the politics of a fragile Unity government. Reform, when transactional, can be doled out as benefits to constituencies – aid packages, wage increments and project approvals. It wins short-term gratitude. Transformational reform, Switching gears: Balancing work and family life

Under One Roof

present at home.

You can likely make small changes to your routine that help you step out of your work-based identity and leave your “office self” behind. For example, set clear boundaries around after-hours emails and other work communications. The goal is simple: when you are at home, be fully present with your spouse and children. When you arrive home each evening, greet your wife first, then your children. Take a few minutes to sit with her and talk quietly before turning to your phone or the TV. You may even go to your bedroom and change clothes – both literally and figuratively. By consciously adopting the mindset of