The word politics lends to a variety of interpretations. Its etymological reference is of Greek origin – politika – meaning affairs of the cities.
It is a process of decision-making in a group to administer and manage power and the distribution of resources. It also refers to the art and science of governance for the benefit of the people.
Politics exists in various forms of organisations such as clans, tribes, states, and nations as well as corporate companies and institutions. In its utopian context, it has ethical and moral connotations.
Throughout history there has never been a stable political system, for man has been fighting each other for power and wealth.
In the old days, brute and barbaric forces were employed to achieve such objectives.
Now such forces that morphed into various forms of so-called civilised manifestations are being employed through the manipulation of various institutions of governance.
Currently, the word politics has a negative connotation that refers to mainly grabbing for power to serve the affairs of the politicians and their sectarian interests for money and power camouflaged as altruistic services for the welfare of the people.
The current political scenario in Malaysia testifies to the above contention that politics is a game of opportunity and chance fought among the so-called peoples’ representatives.
They spend most of their time politicking to get political mileage and to shore up their position of power without much consideration for the welfare of the people as they are consumed with their own agenda.
The political arena is a world of open season of predators constantly hunting to serve their egoistic substance.
Their political rationale has never been based on the principles governed by peoples’ representatives but more on what the traffic will bear.
It is a world of subterfuge, controversy, bigotry, racism, and chauvinism to achieve sectarian agenda.
There is a kind of lawlessness in our political system that contravenes the basic tenets of democracy, especially the separation of power among the executive, legislative and judiciary.
There is the innuendo of the executive involvement in the judiciary, especially in the matter of high-profile cases.
But Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s conviction for corruption, money laundering and abuse of power is a testimony to the contrary although statements by top Umno politicians may give the impression that the Executive could have engineered a favourable outcome for Najib.
And the contention that Umno supported Perikatan Nasional in the hope that the court cases of their leaders would be dropped has had no influence on the Executive.
However, some would still misconstrue that the Executive has the power to influence the judiciary as in the case of Tan Sri Musa Aman whose 42 corruption and abuse of power charges were dropped.
There is no overt proof of such action. And the common people are not privy to the legal basis of such a decision.
The attorney-general must have considered all legal options to absolve Musa. But as they say, it is the prerogative and discretion of the attorney-general to prosecute or otherwise.
The people, therefore, must trust the attorney-general and its chambers to conduct their legal affairs in the most appropriate manner without any political interference notwithstanding perception to the contrary.
Where do all these leave the people? Do they have a say in ensuring a government of the people, for the people, by the people?
It is surmised that they could do this through the ballot box, but it is common knowledge the voters could be enticed to serve sectarian agenda perpetrated by the politicians.
Once elected, the politicians move on their own trajectory with nary a thought for the welfare of the people. The current Sabah political imbroglio testifies to this.
Politics is no respecter of ethical conventions evident by what is happening not only in Sabah today but the whole of Malaysia.
Sabah is a classic example of non-allegiance of its elected representatives who are more inclined to trade their trusts and responsibilities to the highest bidder. But this has been the political culture of Sabah since the time of Sabah’s first Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Mustapha Harun and former chief minister Tan Sri Harris Salleh.
Either the people have become numbed with such shenanigans or are ignorant of the repercussions of such political manoeuvres.
The former Pakatan Harapan and the current administrations are no better off. They are equally culpable.
Such political culture has also become part of academia and government-linked companies that operate on patronage rather than ability or expertise. It has, thus, relegated the country to a third world status that allows the politicians free rein to serve their own agenda.
The current situation testifies to this trend and the powers that be will ensure that such political subterfuge will continue to be entrenched in our political system as they serve sectarian and elite interests.
This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of Twentytwo13.
