I feel compelled to write: GE15 will determine where Malaysia is heading to

 

 

By Stephen Ng

 

         The recent statement by Nurul Izzah Anwar was somewhat disappointing. Before the 15^th general election, she has already put up the white flag on behalf of Pakatan Harapan.

         Much as I would like to see the Puteri Reformasi becoming the first lady prime minister in Malaysia, she has better to learn not to act out of emotion. In the first place, she cannot speak on behalf of the coalition.  

         Anyway, allow me to express my own frustrations here that, in the coming general election, it is not Pakatan Harapan that will lead the people to victory.

         Instead, I think it is the people who will turn up to vote out the people in the corridors of power who continue to show their arrogance that they can get away with any form of punishment.

         Although people may be in “hibernation,” the truth is no one is happy with the current state of the nation since 2008.

Not Everything is Rosy in Malaysia

         For example, it is obvious that the US Department of Justice has stated three times that there was no donation from the Saudi royalty; instead, everyone knows the money came from the 1MDB fund.

         Yet the people who benefited from the scandal – former Prime Minister, Najib Abdul Razak, his son, Riza Aziz, Riza’s mother, Rosmah Mansor, Jho Low and many more – are still roaming around freely in the country.

          I may not have said this loud enough but every time I see the phrase, `Apa Malu, Bosku!’ (What is there to be ashamed, My Boss!), I feel like vomiting. It is an insult to me as a Malaysian.

         Next, we see some of the ongoing court cases involving politicians that appear to be going in the wrong direction as well.

         The frequent excuses given to delay the court cases, the sudden release of those who were charged with numerous counts of corruption, and the offer by the recipients of money from the scandal to pay back should not absolve them of their wrongdoing.

         I do not even need to mention the names of these offenders, but most people who have been following the news know exactly who they are.  

A Few Good Examples Why People are Angry

         While these kleptokrats are given bail and still roaming freely, despite having stolen billions of Ringgit, what irked many people recently is when a 27-year-old clerk, Sam Ke Ting was jailed for six years without bail!

         I have written about the ‘basikal lanjak’ in Malaysiakini. Now, to add salt to the wound, a friend sent me a picture of a MAS plane being swarmed by crows, trying to suggest that the pilot, while trying to take off, would be jailed for killing eight crows. 

         It was funny, to which I added jokingly: “The parents of suicide bombers can now sue the United States for building the World Trade Centre at that location, causing the planes to crash into it, killing their sons.”

         Sometimes, net citizens would take onto jokes just to laugh it out, but there is always something more cynical to their laughter. Another good example, is the video clip I saw recently of three animated crocodiles dancing away in front of a wooden jetty built in Sarawak.

         Sometimes, I am amazed by the creativity of the people who can come out with all sorts of videos. Let me elaborate on another video clip.

         Although the Public Works Department can justify the cost of constructing a wooden jetty in Sarawak, and they are not necessarily wrong, the problem is people no longer buy these stories anymore.

         The rivers in Sarawak are infested with crocodiles anyway, but most people would ask how much is the premium for insurance to protect the safety of the workers?

         A friend responded with these words: “Maybe, it’s the two-legged crocodiles!” We have to blame it on corruption in this country that has reached such a level and no one will listen to the justification anymore. If we put our stethoscope to their chests of the people, we can only hear the rumblings within.

         Not forgetting the Musang King durian planters in Pahang who lost their best crops recently after many years of hard work, even farmers in Perak have been deprived of their livelihood. All these happening at a time when the nation is trying to recover from the pandemic, is simply unpalatable.

         On one hand, the government is talking about food security; on the other hand, it has failed to show more sensibility towards the farmers in Perak in another case to ensure that they have harvested their crops before relocating them.

         Before I could sit down for a cuppa, another piece of news flashed in the social media where The Star highlighted that the “former Astro Malaysia Holdings Bhd group CEO Datuk Rohana Rozhan has agreed in principle to return the US$10mil (RM42.3mil) she received from her ex-lover and Goldman Sachs banker, Tim Leissner.”

         It is not so much about Rohana’s gesture after it had become public knowledge, but the fact that she was close to Leissner, she could have easily found out how Leissner could afford such a huge amount of money; else, why did she demand such an expensive property in London?

         This makes one wonder whether knowingly purchasing a stolen piece of diamond ring at a huge discount, for example, would be deemed as acceptable until one is caught, and the only remedy is just return the ring to the owner.

         One cannot help but to recall the case of Riza Shahriz Abdul Aziz, who was released from money laundering charges related to the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal after he agreed to return US$248mil (RM1.25bil) linked to 1MDB on May 14.

         Former Prime Minister, Dr Mahathir Mohamad was quoted recently that Malaysia has never “accepted nor practised the concept of a plea bargain.” In short, this is how ridiculous it is – someone can keep the money until it is found out that the money is part of a scandal that costs us many years of debt repayment.

         Many of us probably can remember what former cabinet minister, Tengku Adnan Mansor said during his RM2 million graft trial. He calls it his ‘pocket money’ and ‘political donation.’ Political donations should be channelled not to individual accounts, but to the account of the branch that he represents, no?

         Even the extension of tolls in four major highways is no good news to many of us who have been paying the tolls nearly all our adult life. As it is, the cost of living is already very high.

         I can go on with numerous other stories from some 30 years ago, not to mention the MySejahtera saga that hit the news. Let it be known that people are no longer tolerating the corrupt regime.

Nurul may be right, but Surprises Happen

         Hence, Nurul may be right that PH will have to wait for another 10 years to win Putrajaya, but surprises happen.

         If PH wins GE15, it is not because PH has superheroes, but it is because people cannot wait for a change of government.

         While Najib can promise that he will take care of the people, the truth is the scandal alone has created a debt that will take a few generations to pay off. The amount of money involved could have built many universities, hospitals and provide other social welfare benefits for all Malaysians.

         If this happens in the next general election, let it be known to Nurul and her gang that if half-past-six or arrogant people continue to be appointed to run the country, the same can happen to PH.