As we read the news unfolding each day over the ‘state of affairs’ of this nation, I think we might have skewed the discussions toward the wrong direction.

We blame dictatorial tendency on dictators. We blame abuse of power on the abusers. We blame corruption on those who took bribe, not those who condone it. This is just too convenient and simple.

But we have largely overlooked the roles of institutions in our system of government that are supposed to safeguard our democracy and governance. We have largely ignored their roles and responsibilities to provide checks and balances. We rarely target at them and hold them accountable.

Under our system of government, is it not the executive branch that must report and account its actions to the legislature from time to time? Hence, when the prime minister failed to account or have assigned to other ministers to provide answers that were not satisfactory, why just blame the prime minister?

Why didn’t the legislature feel outrage by the snub? Why didn’t the legislators, as a group, demand that satisfactory answers be given on protracted issues that have been simmering for months and years now? This is not just contempt for Parliament. This is a spineless Parliament populated by the proverbial three monkeys who see, hear and speak no evil.

Not only did the prime minister not provide the answer to the Parliament, we are now busily debating whether the answer he was supposed to give would be sub judice or not. I must say they are the masters in spinning and we are the stupid victims. Who cares really the answer was sub judice, you?

It is time to hammer hard on the legislators for they are incapable of protecting and defending the basics of parliamentary democracy. They don’t deserve the salary and perks we pay them. They don’t deserve our support.

Then we argue about consolidation of power in the hand of the executive branch through draconian legislations and laws that are vaguely defined. If most of us are not sure what constitute actions against ‘parliamentary democracy’, why did the Parliament allow it?

If many of us are not comfortable with the new National Security Council Act, why did the Parliament pass it swiftly and without much consideration? Where are the dignity and sacred duties of legislators?

How do we look at consolidation of power? Do we just look at the powerful people or do we look at people and institutions around the powerful people as well? How did powerful people become powerful?

We are now debating whether the deputy president of Umno should be allowed to speak in the impending Umno general assembly. What difference would this make if most of the Umno delegates are not willing to discern the right from wrong? What new information could the deputy president bring to the table which the delegates do not already know? It is not about knowledge or information any more. It is dignity, integrity and principles, or the lack of which that is the crux of the matter.