I do not think many Malaysians understand that politicians are not like normal people. Politicians really have no scruples about taking away your money as their own. The average, decent Malaysian fails to realise how their minds work. I will show you.

'When I am voted in as PM, you should fear me. I am like many professional politicians before me in Malaysia, and you should know my type by now. I can make you rich, and I can make you bankrupt. I can have you beaten up in prison. I don't care what happens to you as long as I am allowed total freedom to give myself and my friends your hard earned money.

If you want apartheid, I will give you apartheid. If you want Taliban-style government, I will give you that. If you want the tallest towers in the world I can give that too if it makes you feel bigger and more secure. If you want 50 astronauts in space, I can do that too. After all, you - not me - are the one paying for it.

If my shouting 'Ketuanan Melayu!' makes you fell good, I will shout myself hoarse. If waving my dagger makes you feel strong, I will wave it until my arm drops off. If looking pious and shouting about religion makes you feel better about me, then I will do just that.

If you really believe that a minority community can unseat your race from dominance in either the cabinet, parliament, armed forces, police, judiciary, aristocracy and government bureaucracy, then I know you are going to love me.

If scapegoat-ing ethnic minorities makes you feel safer, I know you and I will get along just fine. As long as you cannot unite with your fellow minority citizens against me and fight amongst yourselves, then I will have absolute power over you - like what has been happening for the last 30 years.

Let me tell you what my agenda is. I am out to make money. I intend to make more money than any man in Malaysia. Don't complain. I have given you your privileges. This is what you wanted to hear, and this is what I promised, and this is exactly what you got.

Do not try to stop me because I can tear gas you, water-cannon you, baton-charge you, detain you without trial and beat you up in prison. If you are nice to me and manage to climb up the party hierarchy, then I will offer you money for your continuing support.

Money, APs, government contracts, timber concessions, business licenses, monopolies, 'no open tender' construction projects, millions and billions, 'semua boleh'. Just make sure you understand the rules. Never criticise me, my cronies, my rich relatives or my patronage network buddies.

I will take away your printing and newspaper licenses. I will throw you in jail. I can bankrupt you. I can fix the police. I can fix the judge. I can fix the AG. I own the ACA.

I am the PM so you belong to me. So listen to me, and understand this. I don't care about your colour, religion, and language. I am a professional politician. Don't come between me and my money. Don't come between me and my power base - my crony network, party faction, party loyalists. Don't criticize me in public.

I know you are shocked by the Auditor-General's report. The money - a lot of it - went to me and my cronies. So what? Since you don't belong to the party, I don't have to pay you. I have a lot of people to pay off in my party. I thank you for your tax money.

You voted me in so shut your face and stop moaning. You know that next year and the year after that there will be even more scandals, and more money flushed down the drain. You voted me in so you have no one to blame except yourself. You also know that whoever else in my party comes to power will be even worse than me.

Dagger Waver, Taxi King, AP Queen, Submarine Lover Boy, Bocor Twins - take your pick. If you really want to protect your hard-earned tax money, small and diminishing as that sum may be, I suggest you try voting in a stronger opposition. If you really want a better future for your children you have two choices.

Firstly you can emigrate. Secondly you can vote in more opposition members of parliament. It does not matter whether they are PAS or PKR or DAP. The only guarantee you have against more suffering and abuse is a more balanced parliament, and a stronger opposition.'

I, the writer of the above, will tell you now what I really think of the present situation.

I believe Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is a far better leader than either Dr Mahathir Mohamad or the entire legion of 'bocor' MPs in his party. I still believe he is a decent man. But he is surrounded by so much filth in a system of filth left by his predecessor that there can be no reform especially if the 'rakyat' continue to be divided by shouts of 'ketuanan', 'hak istimewa', 'Syariah' and the like.

After 22 years of Dr M who can reform overnight? Unless there is a stronger opposition, there can be no reform because Umno (and therefore BN) will not reform.

I hope the average decent citizen finally understands what he is up against and how his own religious prejudices and racial fears are being used to milk him of his money. Every Malaysian of every race and religion will suffer if we allow this divide and rule to succeed against our own interests.

We will be just another rubbish third world country unless we vote for a change and a more balanced parliament and a stronger opposition at the next general election. You have the power. Vote wisely.

P.S. Just thinking like a politician has made me feel disgusted with myself. I think I need a bath now. I feel filthy.