Now is the hour to make our feelings known
Malaysiakini.com
Mar 05, 2008
Steve Oh 

Whoever wins the elections, Malaysian politics will never be the same again. For whom the do the bells toll? It tolls for the government which has become its own worst enemy. You can't blame the people for getting upset and voting for the opposition because the government has failed the people horribly and lost many friends. It is like the sweet talker with bad breath. No matter how sweet the words people can't stand the foul odour and prefer to run away.
MCPX

The unbecoming lies by the Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi only demeans the high office he occupies and results in the undoing of his personal credibility. It betrays a leadership under siege from within and without and exposes a man whose words can't be trusted. Those who cry wolf deserve to be ignored.

It is not the political issues that dog the government but its own dishonesty in facing acts of corruption. The Lingam video scandal was an open and shut case. But it became a melodrama because of the government's mismanagement and concealment of the truth. Had it come out in the open - after all the one who fixed the judges is no longer in power - and done the decent thing by allowing the law to properly take its course it would have redeemed itself substantially. Now all is buried in the political sewers and the government's image is tainted once more.

Malaysians who still can't see the real enemy of the nation - those who abuse their powers for political and financial gain instead of honestly and decently serving the country - need to have their eyesight tested and their heads scanned, metaphorically.

It is no longer funny when a country can be abused to this extent and communities, children and women are under siege from robbers and rapists that there are people who still think all is well and sing the praises of the government.

Mahathir made the mistake of looking East to Japan. He should have led the nation to look South. To Singapore where administrative excellence is like a religion and to Australia where the government works for the people. Their democracies differ but the beneficiaries are still the people at large not the politicians who are corrupt. A government for the people is always a good government.

The EPF used to pay 8% returns but in recent times that rate has dropped. Many Malaysian baby boomers are retiring and many will live in poverty or need to depend on their children. In Australia and Japan they give every non-self funding retiree a pension. Does the government care?

Malaysia is a rich country and if the national wealth is used properly every Malaysian regardless of race would benefit. The Malays are duped into believing that the NEP is for their benefit when the truth is corruption siphons off much of the funds earmarked for them in dubious ways. Just read the Auditor-General's recent reports.

That is why many Malays are now upset because they have lost out not only in material benefits but in reputation. People wrongly think being a Malay ensures one gets the passport to riches which is untrue. I know needy Malays who can't get any form of financial aid but the rich and well connected have no such problem. This is what's wrong in the country. This political patronage thing and system of kickbacks will destroy the nation.

When Lim Guan Eng helped a young girl in distress he proved once and for all that a Chinese politician can work for the benefit of a non-Chinese. He went to jail for his hard work. Like his father Lim Kit Siang, they and others went to jail simply for trying to represent aggrieved Malaysians. But their government locked them up. Such men have proven their worth and mettle and can be trusted.

Anwar Ibrahim became another victim of the government. Many justice-loving Malaysians felt for him. Now he is out and about trying to get back into power. His whole family is involved and it can augur well for the nation when capable people get involved.

Not everyone in government is dishonest or a wrongdoer so they too must expose those who do wrong. Then they can face God and the people with a clear conscience. Expose all wrongs because they destroy the country and the people's future. It sounds cliche but the truth is the real issue in the country is between good and evil - the eternal struggle. What is needed for evil to prevail is for good to stay silent, if I may adapt from Edmund Burke's.

The country is going to the dogs and it is the people who will save it when those given the power and responsibility to manage the nation are asleep or are obviously incompetent. There are many capable Malaysians who can get the job done. Let the wrongdoers do their worst but now is the hour to make your feelings known. Power comes through the ballot box so please speak out loudly. Speak with your vote. 

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