The rakyat is nobody’s fool.
We’re learning more about Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s “noble effort” and it is all political grandstanding.
He provided lengthy explanations and excuses when the public failed to be impressed by his “humanitarian gesture” to airlift the injured Palestinians – with a succession of ministers performing damage control exercises, his sycophants rallied around him by attacking his critics, which only inflicted more damage on Anwar’s reputation.
Anwar probably thought he’d receive a pat on the back but received brickbats instead.
His ego was bruised and so, he lashed out at his critics.
No one is complaining about helping Palestinians. No one is questioning their need for medical assistance.
Moreover, Anwar’s critics were not directing their criticisms at the Palestinians - their target was Anwar.
Aware of the rakyat’s contempt for him, Anwar tried to deflect the criticisms with his fatuous remark about his critics being uncaring, insensitive Malaysians.
Has he heard of the expression, “You can catch more flies with honey, than with vinegar”?
It is disingenuous of him to claim that his critics do not care about the suffering of the Palestinian people or that they are insensitive and lack humanity. Don’t insult the rakyat who put him there.
How dare he suggest that his critics are not moved by the senseless killings of ordinary Gazans trapped in the conflict between Israel and the Hamas militia.
They care about the loss of life, the lost innocence, the increased numbers of orphans, the grim futures of the maimed and the deep psychological scars and trauma of the living.
Anwar misjudged his critics and did them a disservice.
PM’s sychopants unhelpful
It is also highly irresponsible of some Anwar supporters, who want to silence his critics with the argument that their remarks will make the Malays hate the Chinese and vice versa.
The intellectually crippled sycophants attempt to manipulate the rakyat’s discontent into a racial and religious conflict. They are conflating the rakyat’s criticism and disappointment by suggesting that it will lead to racial and religious strife is dangerous.
So, where did it all go wrong for the prime minister?
The airlift became a pressing issue only because the affairs of the rakyat remain largely unresolved. If he was as committed towards helping his own people, the airlift would not have attracted much opprobrium.
His “noble effort” is just his latest exercise in political posturing.
An insight into Anwar’s insecurity is the announcement of the airlift and the civil service pay hike. Both happened in the run-up to the Nenggiri by-election.
Malaysians are curious about the criteria used in the Palestinian selection process. The thousands (of Palestinians) left behind would also like to know why they failed to make the grade. The lack of transparency is worrying.
Anwar said, “We are just helping 40 or 50 injured Palestinians... what is this compared to the 40,000 others who have been violently killed by Israel in Gaza?”
The Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings on the Israeli-Egyptian border are temporarily closed. Humanitarian aid can enter Gaza but no refugees may leave.
So, who are the Palestinians that successfully qualified to be airlifted?
Were those left behind aware of the selection process? Might they have been eligible?
Malaysians of all races, cultures and faiths, have promptly responded to appeals for humanitarian aid. Anwar was wrong to label his critics as lacking compassion and sensitivity.
He should direct his anger at NGOs such as Aman Palestine which failed to deliver to the Palestinians, the millions of ringgits donated by Malaysians. He should ask the NGO, the whereabouts of the RM70 million which it allegedly embezzled. Anwar should ask them, "Where’s the money?"
As finance minister, Anwar would have approved the extra allocation of funds to the Defence Ministry. The airlift involved considerable effort, skill and resources. Isn’t there a more efficient disbursement of funds whereby the money could benefit more than just a handful of Palestinians?
Some Malaysian taxpayers feel shortchanged that their needs have not been addressed. The armed forces hospital will treat injured Palestinians, whereas ordinary Malaysians are denied access.
What about local needs?
Many related their own personal experiences of the lack of general medical care for them or their relatives. The long wait, the expensive medication and the deaths that occurred before treatment could commence.
Remember the tragedy of Kam Agong, the pregnant mother, from Long Semadoh, a hilly area of Ulu Sarawak, who died due to medical negligence some years ago?
Malaysians are not heartless to deny any injured Palestinian help but they are hurt their needs were not prioritised.
A few days ago, institutions of higher learning were encouraged to provide free education to the Palestinians, whereas refugee children like the Rohingyas, Sri Lankans, and the Syrians were denied the same right.
Many bright non-Malay Malaysians are limited by quotas for entry to public universities. This is a betrayal.
So why do Palestinian children receive preferential treatment?
On Aug 20, three children drowned in Sungai Kayan when their boat capsized. How many more lives will it take to build the bridge 12 so children can travel to school safely?
Some MPs have begun damage control exercises like telling the rakyat that Palestinians will be repatriated after their treatment.
Unsurprisingly, these clueless MPs were caught by surprise at the rakyat’s backlash. They were daft to think Malaysians would wholeheartedly embrace their policies.
Did Anwar consult the rakyat about the Palestinian airlift?
We are told to tighten our belts, warned about the trillion ringgit national debt, are helpless about cuts in public service spending and disappointed that civil servants will get a pay rise, to be funded by the rakyat.
Who will help the stateless people, the landless like the Orang Asal affected by landgrabs or the displaced Bajau community? Their suffering mirrors that of the Palestinians.
Anwar’s seemingly noble effort is mere political grandstanding. - Mkini
MARIAM MOKHTAR is a defender of the truth, the admiral-general of the Green Bean Army, and the president of the Perak Liberation Organisation (PLO). Blog, X.
The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.
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