by Harun Rashid
Feb 7,
2001
When the actions are not consonant
with the avowed intent, this is the definition of hypocrisy. When
an attempt is made to appear what one is not, that is hypocrisy.
When a thief gives a speech on honesty, that is hypocrisy. When
claims of piety and brotherhood are made that are clearly not
sincere, that is hypocrisy. When admissions of fault are made,
with solemn promises for change and improvement, and there is
no underlying intent for such change, that is hypocrisy.
There is much hypocrisy in Malaysia
today. The talk is about reversing the brain drain, enticing skilled
workers home, with incentives. The visas for spouses are to be
convenient, and they will be allowed to work. The action is the
opposite. Spouses are given only fourteen days. Even tourists
get ninety days.
There is much hypocrisy in Malaysia
today. The talk is for greater government transparency, to provide
the truth openly to the public so that the "lies" printed in all
media not controlled by the local gang can be "corrected." The
truth is that no press conferences or press releases are to be
given to any but the local dogs on leash. No free journalist is
allowed information about government shenanigans.
There is much hypocrisy in Malaysia
today. The talk is that corporate directors are to be accountable.
They are to be given training. The fact is that corporate boards
are larded with the inexperienced
and often incompetent relatives
and friends of the prime minister. The directorships serve as
merely a means of taking a routine bite from the corporate coffers.
There is much hypocrisy in Malysia
today. The talk is that the party in power believes in "good business
practices and policies." The truth is that a system of party patronage
and privilege is in
place that can only be changed
by a completely new administration. The burden placed on any business
enterprise is invisible, but it represents a manner of operation
that business cannot tolerate.
There are too many hands held
out for the necessary fee, otherwise there will be no entry.
There is much hypocrisy in Malaysia
today. The talk is that workers have representation, and this
representation is supported by the party in power. The reality
is that the party in power has significant interests in the profits
of major enterprises, and any increase in wages will interfere
with those profits. There is a conflict of interest between the
representation of the public interest and the profits of major
enterprises.
There is much hypocrisy in Malaysia
today. The talk is that the party in power fears "globalisation"
as the invasion of "re-colonisers." The story told is that Malaysia
is in danger of "foreign invasion." But there is an ongoing effort
to attract foreign investment. Trade missions are constantly afield
to attract more investment into the country, especially to buy
the worthless stock and bond certificates. The bonds have high
local ratings, but no backing. Some bonds now seem to have no
father. Woe to the innocent buyer of the Malaysian bond.
There is much hypocrisy in Malaysia
today. The talk is for Malay unity. The reality is a continuing
effort to create fear and a continued division along racial and
ethnic lines. The party in power has concealed its covert racism
for two generations, but this political ploy is finally wearing
thin.
There is much hypocrisy in Malaysia
today. The talk is about the grand new capital city built for
the people. But the new city is essentially inaccessible to the
people. The people now owe RM 5,000
per family for this extravaganza.
There is no explanation for the lack of public input into the
planning. It was all done in secret, with no photographs or press
allowed during the construction. It is a typical party project
paid from the public purse.
There is much hypocrisy in Malaysia.
The talk is that the leaders have been democratically elected,
that the people have freely chosen the leaders. The truth is that
neither the prime minister nor the deputy were elected to their
positions. They hold office by fiat. The rest of the cabinet has
similar dubious honor, given the manner in which the elections
were conducted. Democracy has not seen darker days.
There is much hypocrisy in Malaysia.
The talk is that the judiciary is under review, and that reforms
will improve the admitted faults. The appointment of the old attorney-general
to the highest court shows how specious is this argument. The
justice minister pretends that the Anwar Ibrahim affair is just,
yet he cannot address the fact that the partner to the alleged
sodomy denied that it happened. Even now there are numerous cases
in which the evidence for the prosecution is clearly tainted,
and no defense is allowed to the defendants.
There is much hypocrisy in Malaysia.
The talk is that the health of the people is of paramount concern
to the party in power. Yet the TV at prime time is given totally
to the cigarette companies, to tout their toxic tobacco to the
young. Even a recent warning paid by the tobacco manufacturers
carried the co-endorsement of the youth and health ministry.
There is much hypocrisy in Malaysia.
The talk is that the prime minister will resign when the people
no longer want him. The talk is that the prime minister will resign
when the young people return to support his party. The talk is
that the prime minister will resign when his deputy is ready.
The talk is that the prime minister will resign when the economy
has recovered. The truth is that the prime minister will never
resign. He will either die soon, be cast out by his decadent and
decaying party, or be defeated in the next general election, along
with all the other disfunctionaries he has sponsored and provided
immunity for over the years.
There is much hypocrisy in Malaysia.
It is soon seen to be the purest hyperbole. But there is much
good in Malaysia. In spite of every attempt to degrade and destroy,
there is still much goodness left in Malaysia. And this goodness
is worth fighting for. It is a personal matter, above petty party
politics. It is a matter of personal principle. It is for our
families, our children. We cannot let them down.
http://home.yqi.com/harunrashid/
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