If only we could sue them like they sue each other

 

Our politicians seem to have newfound enthusiasm for lawsuits. I just did a cursory check, and it makes for an interesting and telling read. These chaps are all suing each other, left right and centre.

Malaysia’s erstwhile finance minister, Lim Guan Eng has filed a lawsuit against former prime minister Muhyddin Yassin for defamation. Former strongman Mahathir Mohamad is suing current deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for implying that he was not born a Malay or a Muslim.

And of course, just this week, the nonagenarian ex-prime minister has threatened to take legal action against our current prime minister, within seven days, unless he retracts a claim that Mahathir had enriched himself and his family members whilst in power.

We all know that Anwar Ibrahim is the long-suffering mentee-turned-nemesis of his former boss, Mahathir. Our PM’s ex-boss seems to have an insatiable axe to grind with his previous protégé.

Anwar is himself going on a litigious spree. I can personally recall at least three ongoing lawsuits brought by him.

Firstly, Anwar has filed a lawsuit against the Kuala Terengganu MP Ahmad Amzad Hashim for allegedly issuing defamatory statements that he lied about receiving a salary of RM1 when he was Selangor’s economic adviser.

Also, the prime minister has sued Muhyiddin for defamation. He is seeking to be compensated and to prevent the latter from publishing untrue claims that he had received RM15 million per year previously as Selangor government’s adviser.

And, Anwar’s latest lawsuit is against Pendang MP Awang Hashim over remarks insinuating that he was “not properly appointed” to office following the general election last November.

Everyone seems to be suing everyone else.

It is astounding that members of parliament and leaders have the capacity to work in the midst of all their lawsuits.

Anyone who has ever had a legal matter pending in court or a lawsuit filed against them, will attest to the fact that it takes up a tremendous amount of emotional time and energy.

But it is like being a Malaysian politician gives them some “super powers.” They act as though they have extra capacity to rise above their legal imbroglios.

The primary function of parliamentarians and leaders is to work for the public. Some of them, by virtue of being on the government benches, have additional duties as ministers or deputy ministers.

These jobs are already highly stressful and require enormous focus, especially when the country is reeling from nasty polemics and the aftermath of a global shutdown.

Do those in the higher echelons of leadership really have the wherewithal, energy, and emotional strength to go on their litigious binges?

It takes someone with a rather unique constitution to even want to be a politician in Malaysia. And, when you examine the lawsuits, it is often about some claim that their opponent or adversary has made about their character or behaviour. They sue each other for what they say in public.

Politicians spew all manner of drivel when they want us to elect them, yet their follow through leaves a lot to be desired.

Voters could call them out by questioning them after elections, but we all know that politicians are chameleons, and are experts at making about-turns in an instant.

Not only are they well-schooled at making U-turns, they are also skilled at brazenly justifying new narratives.

Most citizens will agree that our politicians should knuckle-down for the next five years, and think strategically and inclusively about turning the country around to become competitive again.

Economically, Malaysia needs to catch up with Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Neither can our county afford to lag so far behind Singapore in terms of our GDP per capita.

There is no question that narrow-minded and parochial political diatribes have led us down this road.

If only we, ordinary citizens, could file lawsuits against our politicians for reneging on their election campaign promises.

Politicians should put aside their habit of suing each other.  After all most, if not all of these lawsuits are just political chicanery aimed at debilitating opponents.

How is this beneficial for ordinary folks like you and me? - FMT

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