The events which led to the resignation of Backbenchers Club chief Shahrir Samad is yet another pitiful example of the rot that pervades the government of this country. However, the reactions of shock and surprise Shahrir's walkout has elicited is just as lamentable and proves that our elected representatives of the people just do not get it.

They know their rights and privileges but they do not know their responsibilities they never have. And yet they sit in Parliament year after year to heckle, bicker, posture (now in bow ties, too), pass bills and determine the course of our destiny.

But now it's out in the open, what can we expect?

Without doubt, there will be murmurs of embarrassment from the higher echelons of the ruling party, the Jasin MP will have his knuckles rapped, and he will go through all the motions of showing humility and regret at having caused such a furor (drawing unfortunate attention to his own vested interests in the import of sawn timber).

No charges will be taken against this man (who would dare make the move?) as Barisan Nasional has always closed ranks and looked after their own.

Jasin MP Jasin Mohd Said Yusof saw nothing wrong in asking the Malacca Customs to 'close one eye' and has admitted as much. Indeed, why should he be singled out when our members of parliament are typically called on to close both eyes and follow the leader?