BOOK REVIEW | Kee Thuan Chye has been a journalist for as long as I can recall and he is still prolific at the age of 63.

 

His latest book titled “You want this Goonvernment ah?” was released recently, probably just in time for the coming general election. Full of satire, Kee pokes fun at ministers whose comments sometimes make us squirm.

Perhaps, spoken in a different context, they may make sense, especially to those from whom they are fishing for votes - but to most of us, they are nothing but goons who occupy Putrajaya and decide on the country’s future.

When I checked the Urban Dictionary for the meaning of ‘goon’, it only said: “Generally slow-witted, or goofy.”

‘Slow-witted,’ I disagree but I think the name ‘Goofy’ of the 1932 Disney cartoon character, with whom many of us have grown up with, does indeed ring the bell.

And I like the way Kee describes it in the preface of his book: “If you are sharp, you would have noticed how unqualified some of our ministers appear to be and not only from the stupid things they say or do.”

Kee (photo) positions himself as an observer to point out the things that are being said that appear to be unpalatable to the general Malaysian public. The topics covered by Kee’s book have, in fact, become the talk of the town (some have indeed been shared around as short video clips).

But Kee simply immortalises them for the sake of future generations of Malaysians.

Although more satire than anything else, the book makes a good read, especially since Kee knows well that Malaysians are not avid readers but love to be entertained. Yes, we would rather take small bites than big chunks and for that, Kee’s chapters are very short, not more than two pages.

Call them anecdotes and they can certainly make it to the ‘Laughter The Best Medicine’ column of the Reader's Digest. At the end of the day, with a book like Kee’s 319-page journal, I hope our cabinet ministers can come to the realisation of how they have portrayed themselves.

It is better that the emperor knows that he is naked than for others to see him and not dare say a word about it. Kee has done justice in helping our government leaders realise what kind of statements they so “qualified” to make.

I particularly find his piece on the goods and services tax (GST), quoting deputy finance minister, Ahmad Maslan, most amusing.

Ahmad was merely comparing the GST to the sales and service tax (SST) at 10 percent and giving assurance to the people that “... with the GST, the prices of 295 items should become cheaper because they are now either exempted from GST or will have a lower percentage of six percent instead of 10 percent for the SST.”

Tough question for Liow

While this appears to make sense, Ahmad has failed to understand that the GST has a quantum effect on the prices of goods and services. The moment prices go up by six percent across the board, traders will immediately take advantage and raise their prices.

He has also failed to realise that the GST has taken a toll on the middle-income group as well. Most of us foresaw this and it prompted us to join the anti-GST demonstration in 2015.

People worst hit are the lower income group, who now have to pay taxes for every item that they purchase. This is why I agree with Kee when he says: “What good is talking theory if it is not followed up with reality?”

With Kee being a journalist himself, I believe his line of questioning will be hard for most politicians to answer.

In particular, his one chapter, “What is the real cost, Liow Tiong Lai?” will be really tough for the “refined leader” borrowing from the description made recently by MCA’s publicity spokesperson Ti Lian Ker.

While Ti claimed that Liow “is a refined leader and has managed the Ministry of Transport without a single allegation of abuse of power, corruption or scams”, Liow will find it hard to respond to Kee’s question.

I quote: “Perhaps he (Liow) should have asked Najib why the ECRL project was not placed under the Transport Ministry, which should be the case, and why it would instead be administered by the Prime Minister’s Department. Something fishy in that arrangement, eh?”

Let us see if Liow or Ti would be able to answer Kee’s question.

There are lots more and I guarantee you that you will be entertained by Kee’s latest book, which fortunately does not attract any “GST”.

I will leave you to find out what Kee’s definition of “GST” is!

STEPHEN NG is an ordinary citizen with an avid interest in following political developments in the country since 2008.