Scene One - Two days before the general election

Politicians will promise ‘a rose garden’ to the people before they are voted in. They will go round talking and preaching to the poor that more money will be spent wisely to help them in many ways.

"When you vote for me and I become a minister, I will make sure that there will be jobs for all of you. I will make sure that there is no wastage of public funds, no corruption, the judiciary will be independent, the government will lead by example, the economy will focus on creating more income and employment, there will be free education for all up till the university level, there will be a vibrant democracy…

"Look at me. I’m only driving a Malaysian-made car, Proton Saga. It’s almost 10 years old. Don’t worry, my conscience will not allow me to waste money on lavish spending. This is taxpayers’ money. It is your money. I know how hard you all struggle to earn a living. The government taxes you all and it is this money that the government uses to run the country. I can never imagine that I will abuse this trust given to me.

"The last thing I’ll do is to misuse your money. Your money has to go back to you all. I’ll only manage it. This is a trust given to me. I’m a God-fearing man. I dread committing sins because I’m answerable to Him in the hereafter.

"I’ll see that children are not deprived of education. I’ll make sure that our education is world standard. There is no need for you all to go overseas for a good education. I’ll make sure that it is provided here - in this country. The health facilities will be of world standard. Health services will be free for all. The business community should not worry. I am always aware of your problems. Business is bad these days, I know that. The moment I’m voted in and become a minister I’ll ensure that corporate tax will be reduced.

"There will be more investment in the country, I assure you that. The farmers and fishermen have to be helped at all costs. They are the food providers to all of us. Without them, we’ll die. We can still live on without all those half-baked professors in the universities who preach us theories. But, we have to be realistic in life. Without the farmers out there producing food, we’ll have to starve to death. You see how much I think of you all. I’ll make sure that all of you have a better living standard, irrespective of who you are. There will be a lot of subsidies to the needy to ensure that life is not difficult for them, believe me.

"The family unit is important. Look at me, I only have one wife and she has been with me for the past 35 years. This shows that I cherish family life. I will not take a second or third wife – worse still a mistress - for fear that my children’s well-being will be affected. We should avoid extra- marital affairs by all means, as this is against Islam and also other religions. Worse still is to wipe out those who we have had fun with. This is an unforgivable sin. What more, if the public comes to know that we are disloyal to our beloved wife.

"I’m not that type. Look at how I dress up. I’ll never miss wearing my skull cap when I’m in the public. I don’t miss my prayers as I fear God. I lead a simple, honest and a non-promiscuous life.

"Just have trust in me, as they say in Malay, a pemimpin yang berjiwa rakyat . I can assure you that I belong to this class of politicians. Your wish is always my command. I repeat, I promise to bring good life to all of you. What I’m going to do to you all is, as they say in Malay, Untuk Bangsa, Agama dan Negara , and not for personal interest.

"Don’t believe in what the opposition says. They can only talk, as we all know that they can never come to power. We are the ones who will walk the talk. Remember two days from now you will have to decide your fate and the future of this country. Vote wisely, and vote for me and the incumbent party."

Scene Two (behind closed doors) - After coming to power

The government has to unofficially declare the following, but not all of these should be told to the rakyat. Let’s fully use our media to our advantage.

1. Thousands of our graduates are still jobless. Don’t highlight this.

2. The poor are becoming poorer. Let’s wait and see. Talk less on this issue.

3. Our education system is only fit for the local poor. It’s alright. After all, we are sending our children overseas and to international schools.

4. Investors are shying away from the country. We should not expose this in the media. Just say the opposite.

5. Social problems have increased. More drug addicts in society. Let’s talk less on this. The less mentioned the better.

6. Inflation is high and the cost of living is affecting the poor. Let’s paint the reverse picture.

7. Many projects given to cronies have failed. Let’s keep quiet about it. We’ll bail them out. There’s enough oil money to do this.

8. Those who were incriminated in any legal tussles in the past are not a liability in politics as long as they still remain with us and benefit us.

9. The economy is faltering. It’s alright. Just use the media to paint a fine picture of everything.

10. The opposition? We have to use the media to finish them off. We have to do so in a creative manner to make people believe what we say and do. After all, most uneducated people will not make a fuss even if it is a bluff.

11. Our misconduct. We have to cover up all our wrongdoings for our survival. Admitting our weaknesses only shows that we are incapable leaders.

12. The crime rate has tremendously increased. Let’s not talk much about this in the media.

13. Illegal immigrants have taken over a lot of opportunities meant for the locals. We have a long-term solution to this. As long as they bribe us, we keep quiet.

14. It is difficult to make the judiciary fully independent. This is absolutely right, as political survival is more important.

15. On corruption. We cannot be too harsh on corruption, as many of us will be hauled up.

16. We cannot drive in local cars. Nik Aziz is too-old fashioned; driving in a Proton Saga and living in a dilapidated wooden house. We must not take him as an example. He belongs to another league. The media can do a lot to tarnish this old man’s image. Just wait and see.

17. We should continue vacationing overseas. After all we are in power and it’s the people’ money we are using. We have to enjoy life too.

18. We are in power, so let’s go for Mercedes Benz E200, BMW 7 series, Rolls Royce Silver Shadow, Toyota Camry, Honda CRV and Jaguar XJ. We have to beat the Joneses’ or else we shall lose in style.

19. The tainted picture of the judiciary and the police? Just ignore what the rakyat says about this. After all they will soon forget our misdemeanors. The power is with us and the media is with us. We make them believe in what we say and do.

20. A two-party system? We are all out against a two-party system as advocated by the opposition. We will have to find all means to stay in power. Ours is a monopoly business. The means must always justify the ends. Let’s shame them and despise them. Use the media and make people believe that they are not fit to run the country.’

This is the sad scenario in the country, say the laymen. There are poor school children in Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsular who cannot even afford one meal a day. There are schoolchildren who go to school without shoes on. There are schoolchildren who have to walk for kilometers to reach their schools.

There are schools that are so poorly equipped that they look like animal sheds. There are poor who do not even have the basic needs in life such as clean drinking water, proper toilets and shelters. There so many unemployed youth around. The crime rate has shot up. Social problems related to poverty have increased.

Corruption is spreading like wild fire. Inflation is appalling and people are finding it hard to make ends meet. The economy is shrinking. Our education system is flawed. The judiciary and the police are not perceived as neutral. The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.

Soon we all are going to see more economic and social turmoils affecting the people. Those in power are keeping ‘one eye closed’ for their own vested political interest.

The public in general now have a jaundiced view of our politicians and the government. "With power comes arrogance," they say. "What they aspire for in politics is power and positions. That’s all. The rakyat are forgotten."