You Can T Spend Taxpayers Money Without Their Consent

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Spend other people's money without asking, and it is no longer charity, but self-indulgence dressed as virtue.
From Redzuan
I’ve occasionally read Prof Tajudin’s articles – some I agreed with, some I didn’t – but at least I believed there was reason in his words. However, the piece “It’s not charity, it’s our responsibility” (FMT Aug 30) struck a raw nerve. It changed my perception of the professor, from a man of intellect to one willing to trade empathy for provocation.
I was one of those children who relied on parental help well into adulthood. I am grateful for it. More than that, I am grateful my parents never exposed this to the world. They kept their sacrifices private, and spoke only of their pride in me. That dignity was their gift.
However, Tajudin chose differently. In his article, he revealed what should have been left in the family home. He has shamed his children, whether intended or not.
The French have a saying “il faut laver son linge sale en famille” – dirty laundry should be washed at home.
As for the professor’s lecture on charity and responsibility, if you spend your own hard-earned money, by all means do so, even on monkeys in the forest. That’s your prerogative. But when you reach into public coffers, money entrusted by taxpayers, neighbours, strangers, you have no moral right to spend it without consent on your personal interpretation of “responsibility”.
If the RM100 million had come from his own pocket, or from his wealthy friends, no one would care. But when it comes from the nation’s Treasury, every citizen has a claim.
It really is simple: spend your own money as you like. Spend other people’s money without asking, and it is no longer charity, but self-indulgence dressed as virtue.
I don’t pretend to be as learned as the professor, but even a layman like me understands this distinction. Perhaps the wealthy among us could contribute, instead of expecting a hundred ringgit from a million Malaysians.
 - FMTRedzuan is an FMT reader.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.

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