Already, the voices of discontent can be heard in the distance but
who cares when such nuance can be dismissed as it is just too small an
impediment to bother about – the bigger picture is that the “stay out of
jail” card is carved out in stone.
The general election is not
about the country, its people and the direction it would take. Neither
is it development, stability or prosperity that is being touted. Even
“unity” which is only used in the run-up to Merdeka Day and Malaysia Day
celebrations has found its useful place.
The Deepavali promo on
television is blaring and the words “Let’s embrace our bonds” come out
significantly. But since when were there bonds? It had always been
bonding based on race or religion and at most times, both.
Consider
all these as election rhetoric. It only serves until polling day and
the tone changes in tangent with the audience – in a matter of hours.
There is so much flair and talent scouts for movie-makers will have
difficult choices.
Change is hard to come by
In
some instances, one can transform into “Padayappa”, speaking like a
Tamil folklore hero in one ceramah but at another an hour later, having
changed into a God-believing pious person in a full-flowing thawb
(Arabian robe) and headgear to match, the tone and tenor change.
Little
attention or time is devoted to addressing claims of thieving and
scandals. “They are lies created by the enemies,” they would say and
summarily dismiss them despite the voluminous news reports available in
the public domain.
Yes, there’ll be the same faces again. Some may
have crawled out of a five-year hibernation. Others will say that “we
want to continue serving the people”.
Unless pushed out, few voluntarily opt out. They would have amassed
enough (experience and honing skills?) but for others, when has enough
been enough?
Then
there will be candidates who claimed to have invested their own money
to build mosques and houses for the Orang Asli. One claimed he had spent
over RM1 million on top of government allocation – therefore fortifying
his celestial right to stay and compete.
During the lockdown,
while we collectively endured the Covid-19 pandemic problems, he was
away recuperating on an island in the Pacific to enjoy with his family.
Yes, he may have the money the party needs, but money certainly will not
buy reputation or integrity. In the eyes of the people, a politician
who turns into a frog remains so in perpetuity.
But these two
qualities are rare commodities in our political system. While there was
some semblance of them, a simple slogan – “Cash is king” demoted them to
the lowest denominator in their class. But having a bottomless war
chest does not guarantee victory as seen in the past.
But they will concede that it had somewhat eased the pain, having waited five years for another shot at the pot.
By
now the original creators of “Ah Jib Khor” and “Nambikai” would be
brushing up their CVs in the hope of another crack at the task and the
jackpot. New people and fresh ideas are needed but change is hard to
come by – better a devil you know than the devil you don’t.
Journeymen
masquerading as “experts” will be packing their bags for a short
sojourn or speaking tour. Remember the Australian lawyer who denounced
the US Department of Justice and trumpeted that it had overstepped all
established statutes? Remember the “exclusive” interview conducted in
Kuala Lumpur but datelined as Brisbane?
Yes, they will all be at
the party with their inconvertible and immutable talents, knowledge and
experience. Joining them will be propaganda chiefs, spin doctors and the
odd trouble stirrer. Man would be willing to sell their souls for a few
silvers and a few more, betraying the trust of the people.
Although
it has yet to officially begin, the events preceding are hotting up.
Sit back, watch them, listen to them and keep a record of the promises
made and the goodies that would be delivered.
Let me tell you, many of them will not be kept and there will certainly be some deceptive characters at your doorsteps.
