By Choo Sing Chye
Frankly, whenever a corruption scandal erupts in Malaysia, we can almost certainly expect a spectacle of contemptuous rhetoric that effortlessly descends into buffoonery and arrogance.
Most of these rants are primarily meant as a defence for wrongdoers. It is astounding they seem neither to know nor care that their buffoonery erodes their moral standing in society.
To the common folk in Malaysia, the way politicians handle corruption cases is utterly shameful, rendering the concept of a clean government nothing more than an empty slogan.
The narratives presented to the media have completely strayed from common sense and moral values – a truly disturbing phenomenon.
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What is most remarkable is their ability to reframe corrupt practices, spawning new meanings that make their actions sound innocent and politically correct.
But what they are pursuing is neither legal nor politically and morally acceptable.
It is difficult to understand why these corrupt leaders are sometimes hailed as heroes by their supporters, with some even claiming to be victims of political persecution. None of them has shown the bravery of Japanese and the South Korean leaders who publicly bow in public and apologise for their misdeeds before quietly serving their prison sentences.
If they are brazen enough to take bribes, they should be equally brave to face the consequences when caught (eg prison time).
“No man can get rich in politics unless he’s a crook!” – US President Harry Truman (in office 1945-1953)
At this rate, we are surely regressing to the notorious shenanigans of the British “rotten boroughs” (before the UK Reform Act 1832). [These were parliamentary constituencies with a small electorate that a patron could use to gain influence in the House of Commons.]
Over three hundred years ago, the snobbish and obstinate Anthony Henry, a Member of Parliament, exemplified the corruption of this time. When his constituents wrote in 1714 asking him to vote against a budget, he responded with a scathing letter.
“Gentlemen: I have received your letter about the excise, and I am surprised at your insolence in writing to me at all,” he wrote.
“You know, and I know, that I bought this constituency. You know, and I know, that I am now determined to sell it, and you know, what you think I don’t know, that you are now looking out for another buyer, and I know, what you certainly don’t know, that I have now found another constituency to buy.
“About what you said about the excise: May God’s curse light on you all, and may it make your homes as open and as free to the excise officers as your wives and daughters have always been to me while I have represented your rascally constituency.”
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Political corruption is a way of gaining confidence to buy your way into a voter’s life and confidence to persuade him to support you and your personal ambition in your kampong politics.