The saga that is unfolding in the state of Perak sends deep-seated shock waves among all those who care for the future of Malaysians - rulers and rakyat alike.
 
Since the last general election, numerous individuals from the corridors of power, royalty-related, noted professionals and even the man-on-the-street had pinned much hope at the doorstep of our rulers in the wake of the acrimonious crimes, doubts and mismanagement of the nation's power, wealth and resources.
 
But today, Feb 5, 2009 will permanently put a dent on the political history of a nation struggling to attain a developed status. Indeed the winds of injustice are continuing to turn the pages of our future history.
 
Even noted politicians who commanded much respect and those closely aligned to the royal households of Malaysia's respected Court of Rulers have courageously pointed out the dangerous political trends that the ruling leaders are entrenching.
 
The ruling quarters of this nation had every opportunity to understand, appreciate and respond effectively to the rakyat's call for improvement. The ruling government had more than ample opportunity to show the rakyat from all sides of the divides that they have what it takes to make a landslide victory comeback in the coming elections.
 
But given the turn of events these past months and now culminating in the Perak saga, the present leaders in government must swallow humble pie and admit that they may not withstand the avalanche of the rakyat's disapproval some day in the future.
 
One then wonders why were the Malay rulers not able to recognise what the rakyat have been signaling for so long. Is governing such a complicated job that the rakyat are too naive to understand?
 
Or is even asking so, now a crime nowadays?
 
Indeed, today we know for certain that Malaysia is truly a Third World nation. And the police have only emboldened this perception as seen in their role in the state of Perak.
 
All the nation's trappings and glitter have undeniably failed to move the nation forward into being a First World democracy.
 
We have lost sight of the meaning of 'win-win'. Instead, we are successfully entrenched in the old world's 'power by all means justifies' mantra.