My Views on Politics

Some time back, a friend asked me to write something on politics.  I was reluctant since there are many who already writing on this topic.  So many had their opinions on it to the point it became a gossip material more than anything else.

However, I felt a tinge of desire to write about it due to an incident. Recently a few of my long lost friends left a Whatsapp group just because another friend posted a photo of himself wearing a protest t-shirt in the group.  One of them in full capital letters wrote boldly that this friend, the originator of the group, purposely got everybody together merely to spread his ideology.  He then removed this guy from the group.  I felt that it was an unjust act and added my friend back again.  Immediately after, I got removed!  Then for the obvious reason, this cyber bully removed himself from the group.  My friend then added me back in.  I was bemused.

Now let us get back to the issue of politics.  In a democratic nation, politics is  the representation of the people by the people.  We, therefore, elect the best among us to represent the interest of the public in the parliament, where each representative is empowered to vote for our interest.  However, as the saying goes, "Power corrupts, but absolute power is absolutely delightful."

In Malaysia, the corruption of power is very rampant.  We even have parking lots designated for the VVIP.  What in the world is that?  Very, Very Important Person?  How quaint?  Who are these VVIPs?  They are elected member of the public for goodness sake.  What great things do they do to deserve this title?  Only in Malaysia...

There was also the murder case of Althantuya Shaariibuu, a Mongolian translator killed at point blank and later detonated with C4 explosives by two of the then Minister of Defense, Najib Razak's bodyguards.  I followed the case closely since this was a national tragedy.  To my dismay, the prosecutor never queried the killers' motive.  What a letdown.  Where was the chain of command?  Why did they kill and then blow up the body?  I was in rage.

So, for the first time in my life,  I decided to vote.  In 2013 I registered as a member of the Democratic Action Party and voted for the 13th General Election.  The opposition party won in my constituency but they didn't win the majority in parliament.  Little that I realize there are many more mishaps waiting to surface like rotten eggs being preserved for too long.

The current fiasco is with regards to 1MDB.  What a mess this turned out to be.  Even as blatant as the Department of Justice USA naming Malaysia Official One (MO1) as the culprit behind this scandal, there are people who still living in denial - stating that MO1 is not Najib Razak.  1MDB matters are not to be discussed in the parliament and several ministers were removed for questioning the status of this ailing organization setup by Najib personally.

Meantime, the economy is going in a downward spiral.  Ringgit value keeps on plummeting.  Cost of living continues to rise.  The people are held hostage by the power play.  Nobody can force Najib to step down.  Our only hope is the next general election.  Najib will do his very best to stay in power.  All we got is the hope for the majority electoral vote to favor us.  This is an important point since we did win the popular vote in 2013 but of no avail.

I wonder, why power is so addictive?  Is it because of greed?  The never satiating lust for material gains?  Or is it because it is so easy to manipulate those who are ignorant.  Whatever the reason may be, I hope it's worth the effort.  Certainly, the price of corruption has affected all of us.  Let's hope those silent majority, the idiots, and the self-serving public can see that their currently elected prime minister is a scoundrel.  If not, do not blame the government for practicing kleptocracy.  It's us who put them there in the first place.

What a bunch of short term opportunists...