Despite all those exposes, sense of shame still missing

JD Lovrenciear wonders how a nation that celebrates an array of religious festivals could end up this way.

As we scan the latest news revealing expose after expose and unending legal suits with all kinds of objections and eventual postponements, we cannot escape the perception that Malaysia has been weighed down by a huge burden.

From Porsche cars that take advantage of approved permits (APs) reserved for VVIPs to brazen denials in the wake of foreign media exposes; from unimagined sums of money moving around the world to counter-claims to the contrary.

You name it, we’ve heard it. Gosh, makes us wonder how a nation that celebrates an array of religious festivals could end up like this.

What makes it even more difficult to comprehend is, despite the police and MACC reports lodged, despite the media scoops and exposes, despite the changes levied here and abroad, despite confiscations of assets and impoundment of travel documents – shame is still so alien here in Malaysia.

How did we end up like this despite the Rukunnegara, all those religious obligations and the teaching of religious studies and civics classes in schools?

If the world’s most renowned investigators were to probe even closer, how many other scandals would we discover in this land…

The views expressed in Aliran's media statements and the NGO statements we have endorsed reflect Aliran's official stand. Views and opinions expressed in other pieces published here do not necessarily reflect Aliran's official position.

AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama

1. Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
2. Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
3. Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
4. Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
5. Lawan rasuah dan kronisme

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