Anwar should donate RM1 mil of his RM11 mil personal wealth to Gaza

 

THERE has been a debate raging on whether Anwar is right in giving the Palestinian cause RM200 mil of Malaysian taxpayers’ money to relieve their pain as they undergo holocaust-like circumstances.

Some, like Siti Kasim, are of the opinion that Anwar is wrong, for charity begins at home, and the money is better spent helping Malaysians in Malaysia rather than Palestinians in Gaza.

Others, like Professor Tajuddin Rasdi, are of the opinion Anwar is right because it is our duty to help the Palestinians.

Personally, I disagree with both of them.

Unlike Siti Kasim, I don’t necessarily see charity as something that begins at home. I don’t think there is a principle that says you should help those who are near to you as opposed to those who are far from you.

I think you should just be charitable to whichever cause your heart is inspired to support, regardless of whether it is far or near.

That said, if we feel more charitable towards the plight of the Palestinians than we do towards the plight of our fellow citizens, then there is no need to question our motives—better to focus on the act itself, so that our charity can have the maximum impact in reducing the suffering of those our heart is inclined to help.

As for Tajuddin’s view that it is our duty to help the Palestinians, I think even the gods don’t think it is their duty to help everybody. None of us has ever been able to help everybody in the world.

If we think it is our duty to help everyone who is suffering, it is we who will end up requiring help in the end. I don’t think it is right to compel anyone to be charitable.

Charity, let us not forget, has a spiritual component, and spirituality is something that can only be done by one’s own volition, without being compelled by anything external.

We should not be forced to feel sympathy or compassion towards anyone or anything—our sympathy and compassion must come from our own heart, according to its own nature and experience.

When your heart is moved by its own volition and experience of suffering to be compassionate towards others, then you should use the opportunity to exercise charity.

Following this line of thinking, I believe what Anwar should have done when his heart was moved towards compassion for the Palestinians’ pain is donate his own wealth towards the Palestinian cause, rather than donate the wealth of the nation.

Anwar has a declared worth of RM11 mil. If his heart was truly moved by the plight of the Palestinians, he could easily have donated a million or two. He could have even donated nine or ten million if his heart was indeed so moved by charity.

Had he done so, he would have been a great example for the people.

As a leader, one of Anwar’s duties is to guide the masses towards happiness, and what could be more powerful guidance than him guiding the masses towards charity through his own example?

Had Anwar done so, he could easily have persuaded, encouraged, and inspired millions of Malaysians to part with their wealth for the Palestinian cause.

Had we been inspired in that way, I am sure that not only would the Palestinians have received RM200 mil, they might have even received ten times more from Malaysia.

We must remember, charity is something that blesses both the receiver and the giver.

Had Anwar inspired Malaysians to be so charitable, there is no doubt in my mind that we would have been blessed with peace and happiness in lieu of our gesture.

I think Anwar should really think about donating a part of his own wealth—one that he has rightfully accumulated for himself through his own effort, time, attention, and striving—to the Palestinian cause.

Charity by right is an act where you give what is rightfully yours to enjoy for others to enjoy. It is not an act where you give something that is not rightfully yours but something you are holding in trust on behalf of others.

RM200 mil from the government coffers is not, by right, something for Anwar to give. But no matter—he is our prime minister—he has given it and that is that.

But now is perhaps time for Anwar to realise that leadership is not just an official designation, it is also a meaningful position.

A leader should lead his people to happiness, and the best way to lead is always by example.

In the case of charity to the Palestinians, Anwar should indeed lead by donating a part of his own wealth to the Palestinian struggle as a means of inspiring Malaysians to do the same. 

Nehru Sathiamoorthy is a roving tutor who loves politics, philosophy and psychology.

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

- Focus Malaysia