FIRST, there is politics and, then, economics, in that order.
One must be able to differentiate between the two and rise above it. But before that, one must be educated, cultured to not end up being a follower of the herd. If you don’t have an opinion of your own, you will then morph into a natural follower of the pathetic herd. Not just any herd, but the same species that have successfully destroyed your generation, your children’s and perhaps your grandchildren’s, too.
And if you choose to remain misinformed, you will end up believing, absorbing and bending your head down, like a horse in collection. That is tragic for a nation who once believed in change and transformation, just last year.
Sadly, but surely, the herd mentality is fast growing under the Malaysian tropical sun and soil. It’s like an epidemic from Africa, or something. Spreading and infecting people from all walks of life, educated or not. Rural or not. 5G or not.
So much so that it has become apparent that “we” have chosen to forgive the Barisan Nasional government and are ready to vote them back into running Putrajaya, if today, there was a snap election.
What is going on? If you are a follower, I suggest you get a brain check real quick. Your cells might be decaying faster than you can imagine. And that’s not good for your family, if you are a breadwinner.
For the life of me, I cannot comprehend how Malaysians can forgive Najib Razak for the damage that he has allowed to occur. The country was professionally robbed in broad daylight, under his watch as finance minister, prime minister and adviser emeritus.
Under his great leadership, Malaysia became notorious for all the wrong reasons. Najib succeeded to put Malaysia on the world map for orchestrating the world’s biggest financial scandal. Hermes no longer needed advertising. The world is now impressed how one Malaysian fooled Wall Street, Hollywood and the world. Even Kimora Lee Simmons had pictures of her Malaysian friend on her IG!
Planes went missing and crashed, murder cases were flourishing, if not encouraged, top officials were abruptly moved out and stopped from carrying out their duties. And lest we forget, that is okay by us?
Yes, the court case is now ongoing and Najib’s supporters are still roaming around town spreading lies and fanning racism through heavy social media buys, roadshows and ground events – because that is the only tactic left. It worked in Jakarta, so let’s follow that template. Ideas, they have none. So, let’s divide and conquer. Let’s pit the Malays against the Chinese. Let’s use Islam as a weapon because that’s the easiest common denominator. What a sick and deplorable game to play, especially when one claims to be “religious and righteous”.
Truth be told, they amassed and stole for years. Like every good thing that has an ending, that superficial shared prosperity has also reached its expiration date. Everybody enjoyed the “extra handouts” because there was extra money in the coffers. The linen from Jakel, The gold bars from Habib Jewels. And not to mention, the expensive holy trips to Mecca to show people how righteous they are.
Now that the freeloading era has ended and “payback the debt time” has begun, the Pavlovians are raging with anger. They are screaming, “where is my beef?” Just like when the people of Moses yelled to him: O Moses, we can never endure just one kind of food! ( Quran 2:61 ).
And for that reason alone, the BN-ites have once again, become flavour of the month. Because the Pavlovians have gotten too used to the bells that rang each time for handouts. The people want more and more, time and again. Whatever amount that is given, they will never be satiated.
Then, we wonder, why is the country’s debt not reducing, year after year? Why do we still need to borrow and sell bonds? Why can’t tolls be removed? Why can’t my taxes be reduced?
To not end up with a migraine, it is perhaps best that we start fantasising and daydreaming, that one fine day, some Arab Prince will suddenly transfer billions into our account without us knowing of the account’s existence, nor the amount given.
Dreaming is free and it is as good as believing that this Christmas, snow will fall in Malaysia. – June 25, 2019.
Progressive Malay
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