K Haridas

If race is the ultimate motivating factor and cause that one represents, eventually all that one does will be tainted by an ethnic perspective. Such a perspective can never be inclusive. It is about one race and only what benefits that race. Politics of this nature is dangerous in a multi-ethnic environment. To say that other races also do the same does not make it right. This only furthers fragmentation and polarisation as is so evident in Malaysia today.

How is it that some people are able to survive in their positions and responsibilities in the face of such increasing trust deficit? No organisation worth its salt would continue to harbour such individuals. Even in the private sector there would be shareholders who would ensure that accountability bites and people are held to task both for their actions and behaviour. However, it looks as though this does not matter in the Malaysian political arena.

We all know what telling a lie means. We also know how we react when caught. There is often an attempt to deny and then, when cornered, there is often rationalisation, blame and even in some cases justification. Then there are all shades of black and white lies. From a young age we are taught and told not to tell a lie. Yet life is not a straight road and there are moments when we do tell lies. The consequences only arise when we are caught.

I would really like to believe the prime minister but he makes it so very very difficult. The interference with the independent task force so subtly done was read clearly by many intelligent Malaysians and this cost him dearly. Then the removal of the deputy prime minister and another cabinet minister further soiled his hands. The sudden appointment of the new attorney-general (AG) raised concerns in the minds of many.

My faith in the system, in the checks and balances that still exist in the government and in the institutions of governance in the nation have been seriously shaken. Where do we witness leadership for what is right? For the attorney-general (AG) to clear the prime minister after the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) had raised serious concerns remains a travesty against justice.

Malaysia is committed to uphold the 16 core principles of the Commonwealth Charter including democratic governance that over time has been enhanced and strengthened as well as the important role of Parliament, said Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zaid Hamidi. He was addressing the 23rd Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC).

One of the most sacred Institutions of a democracy remains the judiciary. A nation where the law is well-developed and the judiciary held in high esteem is one that earns respect. Malaysia’s fine record under the leadership of the late Suffian Hashim and other earlier legal luminaries was sadly demolished following the judicial crisis in 1988.

With due respects to Perak mufti Harussani Zakaria’s claim that “Malays will lose political power in two years if their leaders continue to fight one another”, this represents an exaggerated sentiment about today’s reality. His view is nevertheless possibly correct if one considers ‘Malays’ as representing only ‘Umno Malays’.

As a law-abiding Malaysian, should one fear expressing critical concerns? The ‘Rukunegara’ outlines our shared convictions ensures that the rule of law shall be upheld. Receiving RM2,600 million (RM2.6 billion) is no small matter and whether the recipient is the prime minister and finance minister or you or me does not matter. Intelligent Umno members must not gloss over such facts. The law is neither subjective nor arbitrary but must ensure that justice prevails.

So the culture of loyalty being more important than intelligence seems well-depicted in the ongoing proceedings of the Umno general assembly.

The perception that there are many stupid Malaysians who are victims of news spread by the online media is held mainly by people in power. There may be some truth in this because we arrive at conclusions arising from what is printed in the media. Another side to this is the reality that many have lost faith in the mainline media which to a large extent carries very little critical news and is perceived by many to be mere propaganda sheets.

The theme was ‘Malaysia’s War on Corruption - It’s now or never’. About 80 delegates participated in this two-day event which highlighted the obvious namely the endemic nature of corruption across the country. Despite so-called definitive action taken over the last years to curb the rise of corruption, the scourge and scale continues to infect the vitals of the nation.

What does it say about our present Members of Parliament representing the ruling coalition when our institutions of governance are subverted, when promises of more constituency allocations are indicated and when the prime minister who is also the finance minister increases the allocations to his own portfolio at the expense of more critical social investment in areas like education and health.

The ‘haze’ situation remains serious and many feeling it impact. The physical, mental and social costs are enormous and we have to move away from the ‘tidak apa’ attitude and finger-pointing that characterises this issue. While this is also serious in Indonesia, as a regional partner we need to step up and provide the necessary leadership to deal with this on-going challenge on a long term basis.

The more we hear the worse seems to be the situation. The government of the day must realise that organs like Sarawak Report and the Wall Street Journal hold more credibility than government spokespersons or their mainline media, be it print, radio or television.

One of the significant tasks of political leadership lies in the creation of institutions, structures and systems that nurture freedom, justice and democracy. There is the often asked question, “Where are the leaders of tomorrow?” An important question precedes this inquiry. “Where are the nation-building systems and institutions that will create the leaders of tomorrow?” These were the concerns that guided Thomas Jefferson.

I have often wondered why ‘good people’ who belief in integrity and character often lack the courage to take a stand on glaring issues and concerns of the day and resign on the basis of principle.

Instead of providing moral leadership that Malaysians are looking for, our present leaders seem focussed on retaining power that is poisoned by collective bad faith and polluted by unfretted greed. When the prime minister blatantly exploits racial sentiments then it is clear that he has little to offer and is ready to play with fire to sustain his position.

Our present prime minister wields incredible power. National and international embarrassments relating to his leadership are something no other Malaysian PM has suffered. Yet, he hangs on to power. Perhaps the fear of dismounting the tiger and the inevitable end is too much to consider.

We are witnessing events that raise serious concerns. The stakes are high and behind the scenes there are hands at work. The latest relates to the disappearance of a senior officer from the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC).

This will remain a memorable Merdeka. Together with my daughter, wife, sisters and friends we made it to Bersih 4 and walked with many Malaysians concerned about the situation the nation was facing and determined that we will do our bit to make a difference.

Impunity refers to exemption from punishment, harm or loss. People talk about laws flouted with impunity, meaning the failure to bring perpetrators of violations to justice. What an apt theme for an International Conference on Corruption hosted in Malaysia in September. The theme is relevant to current developments in Malaysia. Perhaps, it is too close to the prime minister’s skin that he has withdrawn from opening the event and sends his apologist as a replacement.

At the start of the Global Financial Crisis (2007-2008) that shook the world, stress tests were undertaken involving financial institutions to evaluate how they would respond to the crisis. In some instances banks were also required to increase their contributions to the central bank.