Jokes And Bullets A Deadly Concoction For Ge15

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Not too long ago, they were the epitome of brotherhood, united in the name of race and religion and the catchphrase was perpaduan ummah (Muslim solidarity). Nothing could break them even if their ideologies did not match.
They organised meetings and forums - hugged and praised each other. Then they moved in unison to make a “backdoor entry” to the seat of the power.
None had any qualms about doing it and unseating a democratically-elected government. For the record, history was made and written.
More than just power was at stake. The materialistic rewards were there for the taking. Plush jobs, perks, flashy cars and mountains of money at their disposal. Even though their stint would not last long, they would be getting pensions and all other benefits.
The “unity” factor in the government was make-believe. They pretended to love each other and that their errors and idiosyncrasies would be accepted and tolerated.
This was the “Malay-Muslim government” (and a couple of token appointments for MIC and MCA representatives which were gleefully accepted with open arms) which stuttered along.
Incompetent people occupied important posts and the juggernaut rolled on despite the blunders and gaffes we all laughed at.
Even the minister who discovered air suam (warm water) as a cure for Covid-19 and held conferences “with 500 countries” continued to rule the roost.
The cabinet was bloated with the appointment of special envoys duplicating (more of over-shadowing) the efforts of our diplomats. The new slogan was “everyone can travel at government expense”.
The junkets were there for the taking – no questions asked. Although there has been nothing to show, they shamelessly lapped every bit of it. Their hangers-on gauged the excesses that came with the office.
PAS president Abdul Hadi AwangAbdul Hadi Awang, the PAS supremo having embraced Umno as a partner and comrade-in-arms suddenly appeared to see the light, three years too late.
Last week, he fired the first salvo - his party finds it burdensome to accept Umno, which he deemed to be a “murky” party.
“We (PAS) are not with BN because there it is still murky… the confusion is that there are still bribe takers. And there are those who are greedy and wish to govern again,” he was quoted as saying.
Really, Hadi? Where were you all these years when the plunder and pillorying were taking place? On another planet or the Middle East on official duties?
But the retort came fast and furious. Umno supreme council member Mohd Razlan Rafii was quick off the block saying that in the past, several PAS leaders had to be given government positions even if they were not qualified.
Pointing the finger at Hadi, he said: "Can you imagine a party president who cannot work for his country and yet (the prime minister) had to give him a position?”
Did Razlan too do a Rip Van Winkle and jolted to the current situation?
Foes again?
The one-time abang-adik (brotherhood) has now descended into hatred and contempt – going for each other’s throats. It seems all were just oblivious to the incompetence, ineffectiveness and ineptitude of the leaders.
But for the sake of their own images and ego, their show had to go on without Oscars for outstanding performances. The governments led by Muhyiddin Yassin and Ismail Sabri Yaakob were like driverless trains heading nowhere while the people suffered.
To say they were abject failures would be the truth but these days expressing such views may attract attention from the authorities.
Former attorney-general Tommy Thomas has just found that the authorities now view the expression of one’s opinion as an affront to their personal ambitions.
He is now the fall guy – the conduit for anti-opposition rhetoric. No more Cina DAP or Anwar Ibrahim or Pakatan Harapan. Go after Thomas is the current battle cry.
It did not come as a surprise that the police now want to record yet another statement and spend useful resources to go after the right to free speech than apprehend criminals who steal from the public.
Former attorney general Tommy ThomasDid Ismail Sabri declassify the report on Thomas in the public interest? In a shameless confession of sorts, he explained it was done to be used as political “bullets” to attack Harapan.
“I have given you bullets. In the Thomas case, we exposed (the report) by the special task force. I have given lots of bullets here. I asked the de facto law minister to publish it on their website, to detail what was done and what mistakes Thomas made,” he was quoted as saying.
But then, Ismail Sabri could be auditioning for stand-up comedy. Three days ago, he said he could have sacked 12 members of the cabinet for writing to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong not to allow the dissolution of Parliament.
When challenged, all the caretaker prime minister could say was that he was joking. Is he following the trend set by MCA president Wee Ka Siong and MIC president SA Vigneswaran who claimed Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s remarks that they too were on the list?
This joke thing is contagious indeed, especially with politicians who stick their boots into their mouths.
Fellow Malaysians, welcome to our elections. The plan is so predictable. Over the next few days, the media will report the exodus of opposition parties’ members, switching sides and extending allegiance to the ruling party.
Old enemies with arms around each other will pose for TV cameras and declare that they are uniting for the sake of the people.
The rent-a-crowd mob decked in party T-shirts will applaud, have a meal and then collect their ang pow. They sing for their supper and are overly rewarded. - Mkini
R NADESWARAN is a veteran journalist who writes on bread-and-butter issues. Comments: [email protected].
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.

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