Gobbledygook And Doublespeak Of late our political leaders have taken to doublespeak with great aplomb. Take the issue of politicians quitting, retiring, stepping down etc. The prime minister has yet again stated for the umpteenth time his intention to yield power to his deputy and concentrate on the party, but every new pronouncement brings us no closer to the event. Concentrate on party work, did you say? Perhaps “Life President” would be a convenient post for that kind of work? Some rumours also have it that the post of “Governor of Putra Jaya” remains open. That could be another possibility? But for Pete’s sake, let us have a timeline! Following His Master’s Voice, Liong Sik entertained Malaysians for awhile with his now-I-will-now-I-won’t-resign charade but remains firmly ensconced as MCA chief after an act or two of Teochew sandiwara. The literally tight-lipped MCA leader muttered something about the decision being “final” and actually “resigned” his cabinet post (remember?) but bounced back into his seat seemingly unscathed after taking a breather in Perth. We should have packed the good man off to the Sydney Olympics for a new event called “political callisthenics”. Now another leader promises us more of the same sandiwara! Rather predictably Gerakan’s Keng Yaik has announced his intention to quit his cabinet position and focus on his job as president of the party. However, the Gerakan’s leader truly takes the cake when it comes to gobbledygook. The irrepressible, self-confessed saliva-splurging Keng Yaik blurted out to journalists: “Very soon, I hope, I can relinquish the minister’s post and concentrate on the party...This is not a dramatic resignation exercise... So no dramatics and no pressure ...I must retire some day but not so soon... I will do it but I’m not ready yet. Don’t push it ... then I will fight it.” If Malaysia were to ever host the Olympics, we can definitely propose a couple of events: verbal gymnastics and political callisthenics!
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