Merry Christmas, Mr Politician

 

Merry Christmas to the politician who was fined RM2 million following his conviction for corruption. Although Santa Claus is a fantasy, it’s certainly not wrong to believe in him. Just look at the fine you need to pay for what you said was “pocket money” or “loose change”.

Such generosity and a jail term of 12 months with the distinct possibility of a one-third remission for good behaviour would mean you need to spend only eight months in jail at the worst. Compare this to the gentleman who was fined RM1.5 million for giving you the “pocket money” and you will admit that Santa Claus really does exist.

Santa Claus apparently exists in all shapes and sizes. In your case it was in the shape of a court house because you could have been sent to jail for a maximum of 20 years for this offence.

Of course, it’s your right to appeal the conviction. Maybe another Santa Claus will overturn the verdict on a technicality. Who knows? But as long as you believe in Santa Claus, everything is possible. And should this happen, I am assuming the conviction of the gentleman who admitted he gave you the pocket money will also have his conviction erased and get back his fine of RM1.5 million.

That would mean that no such offence occurred in the first place. Unfortunately, for the common man on the street who has neither the right connections nor power, once he is convicted, he serves his time.

Somehow, for this particular politician, there are grounds for an appeal to be heard. For the disappointed children who were failed by Santa Claus for one reason or another, there is no question of an appeal. It is over.

Well, Christmas is a time for sharing and giving. You might not believe in the existence of Santa Claus but you certainly ought to believe in what he represents. Generosity and goodwill. You are a beneficiary in this case.

A mere sentence of one year in jail for corrupt practices instead of 20 years should surely convince you that Santa Claus does exist.

Merry Christmas, Mr Politician.

Clement Stanley is an FMT reader.

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