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The chief minister of Malacca has never failed to amaze the public with his antics.

First the brouhaha and the controversy of the awards of honorific titles - the total number which at any one time can exceed states which are much larger and have royal blood as rulers.

Then came the controversial project to build a tower at St Paul's Hill which many agreed would besmirch the rich heritage of Malacca town. He should remember that the tourists flock to the state to savour the colourful history of old Malacca, not to see modern concrete buildings.

Now he has added salt to the wound by going on a million-ringgit trip to the United States not only with other top state government officials but also with his wife and children - courtesy of the hard-earned income of the taxpayers who will pay the bulk of the bill.

To be fair to the chief minister, he is not the only state leader who goes on investment trips abroad. Other state leaders and their lackeys are also guilty of these overseas trips which are called 'lawat sambil belajar' and are supposedly undertaken to enable our local bureaucrats to learn how foreign government machineries operate.

But our country already has an international trade and industry minister who is in charge of bringing in investments. Why can't state politicians tag along with her to promote their states for foreign investment instead of going their separate ways on what some have labeled as 'junket' trips for recreational purposes?

Politicians should have their ears on the ground in order to hear public grouses. There is a lot of disquiet and misgiving amongst the public at large with regards to the high incidence of corrupt practice and abuse of power involving the high and mighty.

For the man in the street, the cost of living has gone up what with increased prices for petrol, toll and consumer goods. Added to this are public amenities which do not function well .

And yet our political masters seems oblivious to these bread and butter issues which affect the public at large. One can only hope and pray that the politicians learn from past mistakes and don't take the public for fools who can be bewitched every time a general election approaches.

They should remember that the opposition now has a dynamic and charismatic leader by the name of Anwar Ibrahim who can give them run for their money come the next elections if these BN leaders continue to practise cronyism, nepotism and abuse of power.

The public at large are fed up with the antics of our political leaders who seem to lose their heads when power is in their hands.

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