I refer to the Malaysiakini report Isa scores landslide win, majority 5,435 .

In my opinion, it is, indeed, a sad day for Malaysia that the voters in Bagan Pinang chose popularity instead of integrity. Though the man may be a populist, yet, none can deny that he was found guilty of impropriety of the highest order.

To, now, vote this character into a ‘leadership’ role appears to put all talk about ‘clean politics’, ‘integrity’, ‘zero-tolerance for corruption’ and other such noble aims into the dustbin of expediency!

Have we thought what message we are filtering down to our children and their children by so doing? How do we respond if our young ones were to query: ‘How come that gentleman who had been incriminated for using money to get a senior post in the party, is now elected as a state assembly person?’

Incredulous, yes, it is.

I feel sorry for any party that chooses to ‘win at any cost’ and throw morality and integrity to the wind. Once it practises such strategy, then it only has itself to blame for the decay that will set in, sooner rather than later.

I can foresee a situation whence its operatives will not be averse to using underhand tactics to gain positions of power and glory, knowing fully well that, should they be discovered, a precedent had been set whereby they can still pursue their ambitions after a lapse of time.

In my mind, this ‘win’ for the party is actually a great ‘loss’ to the nation. We have sacrificed integrity on the altar of expediency. No remedial action will be able to alter the damage that has been incurred.

We may now talk for ages about the importance of political integrity and morality, but, none would be convinced by it.

The current political masters shall have to carry this burden of acquiescence for whatever ill that may transpire in future.

It is a dark day for Malaysia, and, while I can understand the need to be exuberant, deep down in their hearts, they all realise that this is, indeed, a fallacy.

May Allah bless Malaysia.