Corporate bosses parroting 'Politicians Say Darndest Things'

“Malaysian Politicians Say the Darndest Things” is the title of two volumes of books penned by writer and filmmaker Amir Muhammad. They were published more than 15 years ago.

Since then, there have been so many nonsensical utterances by politicians to warrant at least another two volumes. But close on the heels of these howler-prone specimens come corporate leaders, especially those in government-linked companies.

Let me make a qualification before my comments. I am a train lover and had my first train journey on a steam engine train from Klang to Kuala Lumpur in the 1950s.

Then in the 1960s came the diesel-powered rail cars which covered the same route. I had also travelled to Singapore by the “Night Mail”.

When travelling overseas, I always use public transport. When studying in Berlin in 1991, I took the night train to Warsaw and Prague to avoid paying for hotels as I could sleep on trains.

Then when posted to London, I used the rail network, especially the Tube every day and occasionally, I would sit on the upper deck of the bus to take in the sights of London that tourists don’t get to see.

I continue to use the KTM Komuter for travelling to Sungai Buloh or Kajang where Malaysia’s two penitentiaries are situated. Since I don’t drive anymore, I use the LRT frequently and the ETS when travelling to Ipoh or Penang.

With these credentials, I can proudly declare that I am a train lover. Why such a declaration, you may ask.

It’s because, following my commentary on Thursday on a convicted felon - Najib Abdul Razak - being given a preview ride on the new Putrajaya MRT Line, the MRT Corp gave the darndest explanation.

Its CEO Mohd Zarif Hashim (above) said an invitation was extended to Najib after the former prime minister voiced his eagerness through social media.

“As you know, he actually tweeted that ‘I would love to be on the train’. Because of the tweet, we replied,” said Zarif.

Same treatment for other convicts?

Would the MRT Corp accede to similar requests by ordinary citizens and convicts? Readers, I suggest that you register your interest immediately on Twitter or Facebook so that the company does not ignore you before the next phase is commissioned.

If Najib loved to be on the train so much, shouldn’t he have been standing in line for a free ride after the prime minister’s announcement, like all of us?

Would such privileges be accorded to those who already served time in Kajang Prison or Sungai Buloh Prison? Would the MRT Corp even employ someone with a criminal record?

Why then is the MRT management rubbing shoulders with a man who has been sentenced to 12 years in jail?

I dread to think how Najib and his then political allies would have reacted if Anwar Ibrahim had been accorded the same VIP treatment before his royal pardon in 2018.

Heads would have rolled and the CEO may not have found his chair and table in the office when returned to work the following day.

It is a fallacy to believe that the MRT Corp acceded to a request from one who has been convicted of criminal breach of trust, abuse of power, and money laundering. He is also currently facing other criminal charges.

I don’t know if members of the cabinet were invited or perhaps had turned down the invitation because of the company they would keep.

Usually, the ministers-in-charge are invited but there was no presence of the transport minister or the finance minister.

The MRT Corp has insulted all Malaysians - honest, hardworking citizens who paid for the construction of the line while billions of ringgit were stolen under Najib’s watch.

Where is honesty, integrity?

A reader who responded to Thursday’s commentary remarked: “This is blatant abuse of power and preferential treatment by a GLC. Perhaps (the) MRT Corp condones crimes. It shows to what levels the rot has set in this country. Obviously, corruption and crimes are now good virtues.”

Most right-thinking Malaysians cannot disagree with these views and have to ask: Where have all the values about honesty and integrity gone?

The events over the past few days are a microcosm of what is happening in the country. The system is like a runaway train headed for a massive collision.

Instead of addressing the issue, the prime minister distanced himself by declaring on Thursday: “I don’t want to comment on MRT Corp’s motivations... Today, I launched it and yesterday MRT Corp invited (Najib). That is their right.”

Surely, Mr PM, but what about values, morals, honour, and integrity? Don’t you treasure and practise them? Isn’t the MRT owned by the government? Why take the easy way out with this “no comments” charade? - Mkini

---

R NADESWARAN is a veteran journalist who writes on bread-and-butter issues. Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of MMKtT.