BY: CHRISTOPHER FERNANDEZ
For decades in this country, there has been a rise in dark matters in politics, but the crescendo has been rising and by now it has reached peak levels, and this has caused Malaysians to become suspicious and wary of many politicians.
Politicians were put into positions of power by the rakyat, and they are responsible and accountable for the public office they hold and must give a good account of themselves in conducting the affairs of their constituents and country.
If they are negligent and neglect their duties, they are to step down, especially if they are found guilty of engaging in dark matters such as corruption, cronyism, nepotism and collusion which causes the anger and resentment of Malaysians to rise.
But the main, or prime reason in Malaysia why politicians engage in dark matters is when the rivalry gets heated up, and they become envious and jealous and defiant in not wanting to step down from holding office, though they have failed to deliver.
Malaysians must vote for politicians of calibre
The quality of political leaders determine the fate of a nation, and this is why it is critically important to vote for candidates in a general election who have the calibre and moral fibre and integrity to lead Malaysia.
There are other qualities that are desirable also which include not being a racist or whose morals and character are suspect and to be found wanting which is why Malaysians must scrutinise candidates vying for elections.
There is no use for voters crying over spilt milk, when they find the candidate they have voted for lets them down or betrays them which is also why it is important not to be deceived or hoodwinked by candidates.
Voters must vet and screen candidates who will in the course of their public service not resort to engaging in dark matters but who will focus and concentrate on delivering to the rakyat a high quality service by being sincere and genuine.
Why dark matters arise in Malaysian politics
The emergence of dark matters from out of the closet and into the public arena is because nothing can be hidden in this era of social media platforms which also means “the truth has a way of coming out” and it will prevail.
By engaging in dark matters such as silencing critics and witnesses who expose unworthy politicians and abusing the power and authority of their office, these authorities violate and infringe upon the rights of the rakyat.
Politicians must learn that they are public servants, and their role is to serve the rakyat, fulfill their hopes and aspirations, and not engage in all kinds of sandiwara, wayang kulit and skullduggery.
A slew of scandals and dark matters involving high ranking public officials have given Malaysians the impression that corruption and abuse of power and authority, and other wrongdoings that come out into the open are just the tip of the iceberg.
The safety net of checks and balances is missing
The rise in dark matters surfacing in this country can be traced to the fact that in government ministries, departments and agencies there is no real check and balances in place and therefore these organisations become a law unto themselves.
The basic tenets of democracy such as fair play, justice and democracy are missing especially among law enforcement agencies in the country like MACC, PDRM, the Attorney General Chambers, creating an outcry of social injustice among Malaysians.
There is not just the absence of checks and balances but procedures are not followed, the authority overstepping their boundaries of power are common, and there is that grave violation and denial of basic human rights of a person in this country.
These politicians and public officials and civil servants clampdown and silence those who reveal the truth about their wrongdoing with a “sledgehammer swatting a fly” approach that dark matters arise and the culture of fear among Malaysians is prevalent.
Is the Madani government despotic in nature?
If right thinking, knowledgeable and wise and mature Malaysians are inclined to believe the nation and its people are oppressed and downtrodden by a despotic government, there is a grain of truth in this claim.
There can be no smoke without fire and this is why the credibility of the Madani government is questionable, especially in the governance of the nation, as quite a number of dark matters exposed have been swept under the carpet.
The pain, suffering and hardship inflicted by people in power and authority in this country on helpless, powerless and innocent Malaysians has come to the global arena causing the international community to view Malaysia as a rogue nation.
From being a rogue nation now, if nothing is done to arrest the rot, what is sadly and inevitably about to evolve is that this fractured country is going to end up in chaos and catastrophe of which the end result would be to become a failed state.
**Christopher Fernandez’s heart bleeds especially for decent, right and proper Malaysians of all races as he fears if the country continues in this vein it will create widespread suffering and hardship for everyone
-THE MALAYSIA VOICE
(The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher)
