Monument to remember unbridled theft of public money

SATIRE | The YB returned with his rombongan (entourage) after the lawatan sambil belajar (study trip) to Eastern Europe.

He wanted to prove the cynics wrong. He did not just go on a holiday and wanted to show his trip was useful to the people.

The next day, he met the boss for a hush-hush meeting and the only words that were heard were: “Just give an old government building. I will not take a single sen from the government.”

So as to emphasise his plans, he asked: “If Poland can have Auschwitz and Cambodia can have the Choeung Ek, why can’t we have a monument to remember the country’s dark days?”

But the country had never seen or encountered the barbarous and cruel killing of innocent people, including women and children.

He got his way and talked an architect to do “national service” by designing and submitting plans to renovate the dilapidated wooden house. Then he called a few of his friends for donations.

After all, they were all contributing to a worthy cause. They all weighed in and it was ready to open its doors after a year. I was one of the few who were given a sneak preview.

As one approaches the building, it appears nondescript except for the new coat of paint, and well-manicured lawns with plenty of flora and fauna to give it a “feel good” atmosphere.

As one steps up the wooden staircase, he is greeted by a full-length poster of an Australian model-actress, with a necklace studded with pink stones. Of course, a little cleavage does no harm, especially if it draws in the visitors.

The citation below reads: “This is the woman who returned a diamond necklace worth millions after she discovered they were bought with money stolen from the people.”

Many ‘interesting’ sections

On either side are wax figures of the two main protagonists in the whole issue. One looks statesmanlike while the other is chubby-faced and much younger.

We are told that these were created by the same artisans whose handy work can be seen in Madame Tussauds in London.

The exhibits are in various sections with a title each. The first is called “The Dirty Dozen” and on display are portraits of 12 recipients of the dirty money.

The photographs on display include politicians, lawyers, textile merchants, and journalists - some of whom knowingly accepted the money knowing it was stolen.

Next to it is another gallery titled “The Fixers”. Almost exclusive to lobbyists, artistes and lawyers in the US, bar a couple of locals who attempted to change the script.

Next are two different large family trees with a photograph of the Alfa Nero separating them.

After all, it was on board this yacht [hired at US$500,000 (RM2.2 million) a week] that the deal was made with the Middle-Eastern guys.

Below that is yet another “family” photograph with the perpetrators and some family members on board the yacht.

Then there are interesting exhibits under “Interdicted/In Jail”. No prizes for guessing who they are but many will find themselves either in penitentiaries overseas or at home - among them, rap artistes and lobbyists.

The “Mix and Match” display does not have any items except for photographs of designer handbags, watches, jewellery and the lot.

They belonged to the matriarch who is defiantly holding on to them, claiming they were either gifts or bought with hard-earned money.

The “Unsung Heroes” exhibit is yet another gallery of photographs of heads of prosecution, the top brass of the anti-corruption agency, who famously fell under the sword because they were merely doing their duty.

It’s a pity that the people who played a big role in bringing the crooks to the book have been relegated to a small corner, but then, it was decided on priority. Each has a caption and the role he or she played.

Elsewhere, there is a baccarat table, complete with a velvet table top. It is a replica of the table in Las Vegas where the protagonist and his friends were high rollers, losing in the millions.

The YB has a wicket sense of humour. He has placed a bottle of Cristal Champagne in a silver bucket and black bin bags next to it. What is that for?

Oh Yes. Remember the buxom socialite who made those startling revelations? She had tried to turn over her casino winnings of US$350,000 (RM1.5 million) to the protagonist at the end of the night but was to keep the chips.

She was given US$250,000 (RM1.1 million) in what she told the FBI was a garbage bag filled with US$100 (RM446) bills, and the other US$100,000 (RM446,000) in another garbage bag of cash during a later trip.

Elsewhere, there is a booth where one can not only listen to conversations related to the case but also an “agony aunt” offering advice to the big man himself. You can also listen to one leader pleading with the head of another country for false documentation to clear his son.

There is also a section called “Assets Seized” which depicts photographs of one-of-a-kind artwork and luxury real estate in New York and London which were purchased with stolen money.

While terms of the settlement with various parties have been deemed confidential, there was no dearth of information and material from jurisdictions in other countries.

Near the exit is a “Poor Daddy” corner. It displays among others news reports of him being missed and a comparison of the felon to Nelson Mandela and the denouncements that followed.

Where is the ‘star’?

As I walk out, the YB asks for my views.

“Could be better and more interesting,” I said to which he replied: “This is a start. We will add more exhibits as we go along. We have asked for documents from six countries and are waiting for them.”

But one photograph has eluded him – that of one of the protagonists in a prison uniform. But then, how long can the guilt be hidden by the façade of a suit and tie?

From the nearby pub, a boisterous crowd is screaming “One Em Dee Bee”. The barmaid is at a loss but someone from the crowd comes forward to explain the commotion.

In pub parlance, he says with a straight face, 1MDB means “One More Draught Beer”.

The YB and I chuckled and he said: “I can’t afford Cristal Champagne with my allowance but I can sure get you one more draught beer.”

Cheers! - Mkini

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R NADESWARAN says this is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons is entirely coincidental. Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com

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