When politicians get rewarded for bad behaviour

 

In most civilized countries, the stick is more effective than the carrot.

In Europe, Japan and South Korea, for example, corrupt politicians are swiftly brought to trial, fined and jailed. In China, they receive a bullet to the back of the head, and the family is billed for the cost of the bullet.

But why do we in Malaysia reward divisive, racist, and corrupt politicians? What message does this send to our children and the general population?

Children will grow up thinking that stealing is all right. Adults will lose faith in the justice system.

Najib Abdul Razak has been convicted of criminal deeds although he is appealing against the conviction.

He has been found guilty on seven counts of criminal breach of trust, money laundering and abuse of power involving RM42 million in funds from former 1MDB unit SRC International. The court sentenced him to 12 years in jail and fined him RM210 million.

However, he has been allowed to act like a free man and, after 18 months, there is still no decision on his appeal. In other countries, the corrupt would be immediately jailed once sentenced.

Last week, we were told three things that horrified the Malaysian public.

First, Najib had applied for a house in accordance with the law that was amended during the tenure of former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Under Section 21 of the Members of Parliament (Remuneration) Act 1980, former PMs are entitled to allowances and privileges decided by the Cabinet.

They can receive a monthly allowance of RM10,000 if they opt to remain in their own homes. Another option was to be offered a government house that would befit the stature of a former PM.

Najib applied for a parcel of government land near the Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka building in Kuala Lumpur, which is purported to cost around RM100 million.

Second, the Tan Sri title has been awarded to the divisive and controversial president of PAS, Hadi Awang. He uses religion to confuse and sow hatred.

In 1981, Hadi divided Malays and Muslims with his speech that Jakim declared as haram.

Today, however, Hadi enjoys a senior position in the government, as the prime minister’s special envoy to the Middle East. He is paid a handsome salary and the taxpayer foots his bills, his official car and driver, expenses, and allowances for his office staff.

Malaysians are not convinced about his contributions to Malaysian governance or about how he has helped to promote peace in the Middle East.

Last July, Hadi said the Covid-19 pandemic was a test from God and that only “Allah’s government” could overcome it.

This was a most irresponsible statement from a scholar. Ignorant Muslims or those who are not well versed in their religion will ignore the strict rules to prevent them from contracting Covid-19.

Third, Pasir Salak MP Tajuddin Abdul Rahman will soon be made our ambassador to Indonesia. Tajuddin is everything that one does not wish for in an MP or representative of Malaysia. He is racist and crude. And he is a bully.

His outbursts in parliament bring shame to himself, his party, his family and his race, but most of all, he has shown utter contempt for parliament. He seeks attention, but for all the wrong reasons.

His performance as the former chairman of the public transport body, Prasarana, in which he badly handled a press conference after two LRT trains collided, prompted his swift removal.

He joked about the accident in which six passengers were critically injured. He failed to visit the victims of the crash and tried to justify his absence by saying he was due for a vaccine jab the following morning. It was all about himself.

Despite his dismal performance as an MP, he is being rewarded with a posting in Jakarta.

Does the prime minister not care about our international image and the rakyat’s feelings? Instead of punishing these politicians for their bad behaviour, our Cabinet and PM appear to have rewarded them. - FMT

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.