Is this what this nation has come to - to sell ideas to the people; to campaign for support; and to win elections; all we need to talk about is chopping a chicken head and threatening divine punishment?

Why has this country become so archaic and even stupid in our national debates?

Is our integrity sufficient when promises are made, either by our leaders or the people? Why the need to chop a chicken head just to convince ourselves that this time around promises made will be kept. But does it? Perhaps it was a long series of broken promises that has prompted our leaders to resort to a chicken head.

A functioning government with credible leaders does not have to ‘guarantee’ the promises made. Words are sufficient. If the people do not trust the government and its leaders, where and who else could the people turn to?

However, sometimes what the leaders unwittingly said could manifest the malaise now besetting the country. Maybe nothing could be trusted any more. Promises are meant to be broken. People’s right and livelihood are meant to be traded and trampled upon. I think the rakyat are lied upon too often and that is why leaders must now resort to guaranteeing their promises with chicken heads.

But what difference would a chicken head make? I only know a chicken would lose its head soon, that is all. Beyond that, I do not know the promises made would be fulfilled or otherwise.

Then we have the threat of divine damnation if voters select the ‘wrong’ candidates in the two by-elections.

I think this is another classic baloney. First, if divine damnation is impending, it should first punish the ‘wrong’ candidates, not voters who inadvertently vote the wrong candidates.

Second, if one wants to get involved in national politics, it is better to say something provable, verifiable and doable. Issuing threats and creating fear on the voters based on one’s personal opinions is probably as sinful (but I don’t want to go there since I do not know for sure).

But this much I know - politicians aspiring for national leadership must come from people with noble attributes and character. Lying, scheming, plotting, intrigue, dishonesty and corruption are definitely no go. Politicians must examine themselves before dispensing their divine edicts on others.