Kajang

We are mired in discussion, opinions and accusations with regard to the Kajang episode. We have individuals from both side of the divide who are the cream of the political intelligence, NGO’s, lawyers, judges, analyst, bloggers and the ordinary citizen who has anything to express about this matter.

In my humble opinion the voice of reason, justice and morality have been compromised at large by so many parties that one expressing what may be the simple truth is viewed as exceptional and extraordinary. Opinions that emanates from the cross section has been varied and legitimate, perhaps it is time to hear what a simple citizen has to offer.

The cream of the political strategist and intelligence from both opposition and government of the day  have shown themselves to be devoid of either of the substances or foundation which allows for greatness to take root in our quest for nationhood. We have persons from the main opposition party who are the calibre, yardstick and measurement of no less than Rafizi Ramili, N.Surendran, and Selena Tay coming up with what they deem as conceivable and acceptable excuses as reasons for a bi-election is a stated requirement to save a state. The Pakatan coalition already enjoys an overwhelming majority in Selangor and we are being spoon-fed with the infant formula of rational that Pakatan have reasons in excess of the citizen’s intelligence to force the Kajang by-election. The maturity of any party resides on a platform of equality granted for all. Here we see a leader of the coalition elevated to God like status of worship. The only person who can save the country so it seems is Anwar Ibrahim. This is not arrogance that belongs to Anwar but to his supporters who have lost all semblance or reality on the ground. We have 29 million people and it is defamation to each person’s vote and intelligence that we only have one person from such a wide pool of people who can manage the country? What sort of nonsense are we espousing and advocating.  

I personally have and will always have a soft spot for Anwar Ibrahim on account of the trauma inflicted upon him and his family by the unjust and merciless incarceration that he had suffered under the Government of the day. This is empathy is not just for Anwar Ibrahim but for all who are or who have been detained under dubious circumstances.    I am of the opinion that Anwar and his family at large still suffer various forms of injustice and this essentially makes this a difficult article to write. The opposition personalities also have my empathy due to the difficulties that we have in the system but this should never be used as a passport or licence to do as one pleases.

Our opposition party is showing a lack of maturity and is in grave danger of being a mirror image of the party/s they are trying to replace.

·                   If one were to elevate a person with a combination of God-like, hero worship and cult like status  and project the person as the only one who can save a country it is unfortunately detrimental as it means that the partners and stake holders in the country – the ‘you’ and ‘I’s’ are persons who are expandable and lack the intelligence to understand the going on’s. We must realize that the cult like worship status of a certain Doctor has placed us in this detrimental and unenviable position

·                   It is a recognised, understood and accepted fact that there are existing laws and provisions in the law that allow for by-elections. Though one may have legitimate excuses which are supported by law it does not mean that we become squalid and spineless individuals who will use the analogical  excuses of strategy, advantage, and the so called big picture to have a bi-election. Again the credibility and respect of politicians towards the citizen  is found wanting, our taxes can be squandered and dispensed in any manner deemed fit by either opposition or Government. If one were to quantify and qualify the amounts spent either on party or state and federal bi-elections,  one should not be surprised that stupendous amounts that could have been used would have been expanded. I am not a financial analyst but I am sure that we would by now have enough money to dignify the lives of persons at large if we did not engage in

·                   Clean elections and cheap democracy is what Surendran expresses, How good is your democracy when the actions taken seem to defy the simplest logic? Or another statement by Rafizi expresses that Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim is good statesman but a lousy politician.  If this is strategy that is of such security in its brilliance and bold  in excess by its content and execution,  or is this a strategy of the highest intellectual order? If it is then we can safely assume that Malaysia is a lost cause. On the presumption we the citizens are dimwits can we assume we the dimwits are allowing ourselves to be led by the smartest of dimwits. The imbecileian nature of our politics leaves me hanging my head in despair.        

·                   We also have the question of personal moral values. It is pathetic and unacceptable when we allow varied forms of intellectual justification to express the need of a bi-election. What is the preeminent rational which motivates and gives precedence to politics over the honour that we ought to have for each person’s  life and that persons dignity ? Laws or personal morality? Can the morality of our daily life speaks to the internal compass of conscience in our souls and  affirm that our constructive actions  secure

-         Equality for all.

-         Justice and mercy

-         Eradication of  hunger and poverty.

-         Care for the varied marginalised in our midst

-         Quality of healthcare

-         Life term education

-         Security

If our opposition is of a calibre or quality they will not just write some fancy documented manifestos but apply a practical living manifesto in the way they conduct themselves with respect for their own is a real insight. This forced, targeted or strategic Kajang bi-election reveals glaring inadequacies.  

·                   If the opposition is uncertain and uncomfortable with the overwhelming majority they enjoy, it means that they are simply incompetent and insecure about how to manage a state. How are we to trust the opposition to manage a country when fear is prevalent in their governance?

·                   Nobility and dignity ought to be the common shared thread that epitomises our character. No matter how different or opposite our views we are entrusted to guard and protect the individual dignity of each and every person- friend and foe alike. This  is and must  be a requirement for a politician who in effect is supposed to be a statesman par excellence. Here we have persons from the same political party who are supposed to be allies expressing negative, malignant and depreciative comments about the Selangor Mentri Besar. Though I feel and agree that the Mentri Besar may have his flaws and faults, or may not be politically savvy, is this just cause and justification for this type of degrading vilification? What does this say about our future leaders? What chance does the ordinary citizen have when the future guardians cannot extend simple protection of dignity to their own? Could this not have been handled in a discreet manner. I would like to ask the young ‘ Yang Berhomats’ , would you conceive something like this against your Father or grandfather ? If you would not then please show Tan Sri Kahlid Ibrahim the respect that is due, he is of an age to be your father.  Please do not come with that tried and tested adage that states ‘ I love Ceaser, but I love Rome even more’.  Betrayal and treasonous conduct will find all kinds of flippant and flimsy reasons with concoctions and palatable examples cited of it being acceptable reasons.

It is always good to have various parties rather than two main parties, it seems in Malaysia a strong government is a dictatorship with rights totally compromised and a weak government is one that is totally chaotic, paralysed and ineffective that they are unable to control the small elements that are totally amok in our country.  A strong opposition seems like a mirror image of the existing Government; with a small difference- when they are small they work with the common citizen. It is better to have a few small parties and individuals with common sense and integrity than to have a strong government or opposition- the citizens, the common person on the street is the impacted by strength in a negative manner.  

I am also expressing some points that I feel about our bloggers who by far and large have been far more constructive than the political elite in awakening the conscience of the citizen must emphasise their concerns and points with a greater eloquence. It is distasteful when one finds a generous spread four letter words. Now with regard to language I have challenged persons in this manner if one feels that if the language  one uses in print  or verbal dialogues is of an acceptable standard. Then one should have the sterling courage without the fear reprisals in using such language in the presence of one’s respective place of worship, a Monarch, a Judge, a Court, on TV interviews, in the presence of one’s family, elders and little children. If one will not use it in any of the stated environments mentioned, one should not use it.

Though I disagree with RPK on his language and his comments on Malay’s, Muslims  and other ethnic or religious groups. I have respect and esteem for his views and cringe at the language or the brutality of the response, though a bit crass they are unpretentious and filled with integrity. It is RPK’s articles mainly that enable me state opinions about bloggers. In some ways I do feel like a rotten heel writing in relation to him, as he is one of those rare individuals who with his family has suffered for a cause in excess of his life and is deprived of his homeland as a consequence.

Nevertheless  I feel that we should always find a better or a kinder way to articulate our views without placing offense on the party that is challenging us. One should never attach a race or religion just because of some dysfunctional government policies. There will always be the individuals who chose to be antagonistic provocateurs when they place  comments that demean simple intelligence on a blog site- I sincerely appeal and hope that bloggers would never use the power of their well honed skills in language, writing and knowledge to embarrass or insult the persons who disagree with their writings.