The COVID-19 crisis that engulfs us today has brought us to expect decision-making that is firm, timely, and based on evidence. The actions that governments choose to take or not to take in this crisis will impact our immediate-, medium- and long-term futures. In preparing for a response, experts all around the world have emerged at the forefront of government in being the face of the crisis.
Technocrats are largely seen to have a sole motivation to solve a public crisis. They come to assume their influence as interim power is delegated to them to help steer their countries into a recovery. This was the case of Italy over a decade ago when the technocratic government led by former European commissioner Mario Monti lead the country during the European sovereign debt crisis. Professors occupied more than a third of the seats in his 17-strong cabinet. Following the resolution of the crisis, a general election was called. A new democratically elected government resumed rule. Malaysia may not be at the point of such an unprecedented move. However, the value of involving more experts to help the country solve this health crisis is something we truly need in this worsening situation.
There has been much literature about the limits of technocratic rule. A key argument against it is that technocrats lack legitimacy. But when political institutions struggle to get a grip to govern in a time of a crisis, technocrats can come and fill the void. Economist Dr Nungsari A Radhi and former member of parliament for Balik Pulau stated in an opinion piece – “Managing the pandemic is essentially a science, so it is a matter of just following the science, a knowledge-based, data-driven exercise”.
People want to hear from the experts, as evidenced by an overwhelming willingness to rally around the Director-General of Health Tan Sri Dr. Noor Hisham Abdullah. He is well-positioned to make unpopular decisions for the greater good. People are more likely to comply with restrictions if communicated by sources deemed reputable, objective, and trustworthy, e.g. epidemiologists or health professionals like him. If there is value in having a technocrat like Dr. Noor Hisham lead the fight against the pandemic, more experts should come into the picture to win this war.
People are more likely to comply with restrictions if communicated by sources deemed reputable, objective, and trustworthy, e.g. epidemiologists or health professionals like him.
Right now, the composition of executive members of the National Security Council is outmanned by the ruling Cabinet. Out of nine members, five hold Minister offices with the remaining four being MKN Director-General, the Chief Secretary to the Government, the Chief of Defense Forces (CDF) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP). There is a glaring lack of leading experts from the relevant fields, like epidemiology and immunology, in the top roster responsible for managing and coordinating the implementation of pandemic-related policies. Perhaps, the Prime Minister should consider expanding his nine-men security council to include, at least temporarily, scientific-medical experts.
Elected representatives, by themselves, are poorly equipped to make unpopular decisions. After all, they inherently derive power from the people, and most wouldn’t risk tough calls at the expense of losing support. Political support and public pressure can deprive them of the space to make rational, long-term solutions and deal with the complications of a health crisis. Only after when we overcome the pandemic, work to restore confidence in our economy, and trust in our political institutions can resume in a safe environment.
Elected representatives, by themselves, are poorly equipped to make unpopular decisions.
Until then, we need leaders who can make firm and timely decisions based on evidence. By placing experts at the forefront, politicians can endorse their decisions with the legitimacy of expertise and trust. All they need is a clean and an uninterrupted shot to heal our nation from this virus.
