What's in a name? In Malaysia, everything!
In Malaysia and many Third World countries, your father's (or grandfather's) name, can mean the difference between a life of untold riches, without having to work. Or a miserable existence.
The right name opens up a world of business, educational and business opportunities. With the right name, the victim of any burglary would receive a speedy police response, jump the queue for medical attention, or easily obtain a loan.
The children and family members of the top politician, and civil servants who trade on their fathers' names, deprive other hardworking Malaysian adults of a fair chance at the economic pie. The "right names" grab the lucrative contracts.
At one time in Perak, a company which was allegedly owned by the MB's wife was envied, despite her lack of business acumen.
The nephew of the Selangor MB is alleged to have been involved in illegal sand mining operations. Would he have been arrested by the MACC if he were just another Joe Bloggs and not Azmin Ali's nephew? Perhaps he was roped into the "business" because he was Azmin's nephew?
Would Red Granite Films have done business with Riza Aziz, if he was just boring Riza Aziz bin Mat Temberang, and not the stepson of the second most powerful man in Malaysia?
If one was called Juwiza binti Mat Tembak, and did not have a former top-cop as a dad, would one have been able to enter the firearms trade?
The former inspector-general of police (IGP), Khalid Abu Bakar (photo), said that there was no conflict of interest between him and his daughter's firearms business. She had been awarded the licence before he became the IGP. He failed to mention that the list of potential candidates, to succeed the retiring IGP, was an open secret.
Planning for the future always helps.
Would Umno-Baru cyber-troopers have attacked Meera Alyanna, daughter of Mukhriz and granddaughter of Mahathir, if she was just plain Meera Alyanna binti Mat Siapa?
Mahathir is a thorn in Najib Abdul Razak's side. Despite having lost the perks of a former PM, like the services of his personal aides, and the sale of his pet projects like Proton, Mahathir is undeterred.
A sign of Najib's desperation
Targeting Mahathir's family members is a sign of Najib's desperation. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. The same scrutiny should be extended to the children of current Umno-Baru and BN leaders.
Sabah businessman, Michael Chia gave a Hum-Vee to a politician's son. Would Chia have done that if that man was just plain old Nedim bin Mat Rempit? In 2012, Sarawak Report exposed Nedim's ties with Chia, and the allegation behind the American Hum-Vee 2 SUV.
They say that you can learn much about a person's subconscious, by the vehicles he drives. In his mind's eye, did Nedim imagine himself to be like Arnold Schwarzenegger, the man who helped to promote the Hum-Vee? What Nedim lacked in muscle he made up for it in other ways. His behaviour matches the big, brash, and unattractive Hum-Vee.
Two weeks ago, Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Abdul Aziz (photo) reacted to the attack on Mahathir's grandchild, by saying that there was nothing wrong with flaunting one's wealth, as long as it was from halal (permissible) sources.
Nazri said, “I have asked Mahathir, many times, how his children became rich when they don’t have business acumen."
Talk about the pot calling the kettle black. Did Nedim graduate from the Harvard Business School or did he trade on daddy's name, when he purchased a multi-million ringgit home and a fleet of imported sports cars?
To be fair, we should inspect the garages of the various ministers and their children. Allegations of businessmen presenting cars to ministerial spouses and family members are rife.
What would you do if your father was an influential politician, or a high ranking civil servant, and you were given cars, designer accessories, land, luxury holidays, gems, shares or directorships?
Would you realise that you would be expected to put in a good word for the businessman? Or would you just think that the kindly businessman had given you the things which your father could never provide? Would you reject the gifts?
If you say no, then you are also part of the problem. You cannot cherry pick from the smörgåsbord of moral decisions.
Some of us praise Najib for his BR1M, because it helps the poor. Remove his father's name, and you are left with just another washed-out politician, who is clueless about helping the poor, except to make them more dependent on the government.
Take away the political fathers' names from many people, who are prominent in public life, and you will see them for what they are. They will have lost the lustre.
Until you remove the spotlight, which you shine on them, you will stop yourself from seeing the true problem. You also prevent yourself from finding solutions.
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