The circus of incompetent politicians has been in town for a long time and given recent events, it’s here to stay for a long time. The comical acts belie the scary reality – Malaysia is plagued with unintelligent and incompetent ministers.
The title “Yang Berhormat” that sits in front of their names is a mockery. While these elected representatives will hear it as “Oh respected one”, more and more Malaysians are disgusted by their disrespectful antics.
The list of mind-boggling statements and unbecoming behaviour over the past few weeks say it all. Politicians have wasted crucial personal protective equipment (PPE) for photo opportunities while irresponsible calls and uneducated statements – like urging women to mimic a Japanese cartoon character (Doraemon) and “500 nations” – have irked the people even further.
Pictures of visits to constituencies, meetings and eating together during the Movement Control Order (MCO) among politicians have made their rounds while the average Malaysian is placed in handcuffs for breaking the order. Why the different set of rules, Malaysians ask in WhatsApp groups and over the phones.
What is equally sad is that these politicians are often allowed to display their “bodoh sombong” mentality with zero repercussion. All they get is just backlash on social media. They are still called YB. They still head ministries. They still make decisions that affect the people, mostly without valid justification.
What is the justification of urging women to speak like Doraemon? Do the politicians and their entourage actually think that running a ministry is a reality show or an episode of Maharaja Lawak?
Why the need for politicians to go around in PPE? They don’t walk alone. They bring the whole circus along – the personal assistant, press secretary, the personal photographer or videographer, the political secretary, individuals who are dying to be seen with the minister and the list goes on. There is already a massive shortage of PPE with Malaysians – from fashion designers to disabled people and prisoners – sewing the suits for our frontliners. Why are we wasting them on those who aren’t the experts and are not directly contributing to the cause?
Malaysians seem to be forgiving people. After much hue and cry, there is often no follow through. As far as these politicians are concerned, it’s just “noise” that will eventually go away.
But in a corporate structure, a poor call can result in the termination of an employee. Other bosses take it upon themselves and quit when things go south. Such a trait does not exist among Malaysian politicians.
When they don’t get things their way, they threaten with legal suits or create new political alliances.
Here is a dosage of reality. Ministers come and go and some don’t even last for five years as proven recently. And they are no superheroes.
There have been pockets of success by some in their respective ministries. Their efforts, however, have been drowned by the naivety and stupidity of fellow Cabinet colleagues.
These politicians have had it easy for far too long. They need to be told that they are incompetent. They need to be questioned. And they need to justify their actions. Otherwise, they do not deserve the title YB.
Shying away or ignoring such demands only reflects the shallowness and level of commitment in serving the people. The “untouchable” behaviour has no place in today’s society. To put it crudely, “hang menteri je la. Jangan berlagak macam dewa.”
British television presenter Piers Morgan ended his April 1 article published in the Daily Mail by saying: “Right now, Britain is a country of heroic NHS lions led by dangerously incompetent donkeys – and many thousands of people are going to die as a result, including many of those trying to save them.”
Malaysia too has some incompetent ones but thankfully its frontliners and civil servants have been doing a fine job that the actions of the shallow and uninspiring few have been reduced to sheer entertainment.
What our frontliners don’t need right now is mere words or publicity seeking actions by those hungry to be seen or heard. Just stay at home, practise physical distancing and good hygiene so that these frontliners can finally find some form of sanity and go back worry-free to their loved ones.
That will be the best gift ever to our superheroes and help win their war against Covid-19 and give these politicians time to reflect on their actions and their true purpose in this world.
