Malaysians have a right to know the truth

 

 The preamble to the American TV series “My Little Secret” reads: “Everyone has something to hide, it is part of human nature. Deep down, people always have a secret, something so strange or scandalous that they do not tell even their closest friends.”

It is a dramatisation of real-life cases where trysts and extra-marital affairs lead to death. Although the series ended 10 years ago, the episodes are available on YouTube.

In Singapore, if you are a public figure, your life is no longer private and even what happens in the bedroom is no longer sacrosanct and ends up in the public domain.

Because of the high level of moral standards required of persons holding office, any nonconformity will eventually lead to losing their jobs or positions.

However, in Malaysia, sex and sleaze have been and continue to be used as political weapons. The two sodomy trials followed by roadshows and a doctored TV clip that was screened in open court attest to this.

But many others are considered trivial - hardly making the headlines. A former minister was ordered to pay his first wife RM11.2 million in settlements for allegedly divorcing her to marry a much younger woman but three years later, his appeal was allowed.

Elsewhere, a minister discovered that pinching the buttocks of a hostess in a cigar bar can be costly. But then, RM100,000 was only small change for a man who is said to have RM4 billion in assets.

For some politicians, a nubile young woman on his arm is a status symbol and the ultimate trophy wife, but it gets by hardly noticed to elicit negative comments as if they are part of the entitlement.

Sheraton Move

But these days, secrets of a different kind are emerging. The skulduggery and drama leading up to the Sheraton Move have remained secret but the happenings thereafter have become political fodder as elections in six states are imminent.

The days of hugging and kissing each other on the cheeks after detailing a victory, the formation of a Malay-Muslim government and the solidarity of the ummah have all been forgotten.

Never mind that many deals were done to ensure some of them stayed in power but the aftermath of the 15th general election saw many out of power.

In February 2020, the backdoor government was in place and some politicians who were then thick as thieves, now find themselves on opposite sides. Conversations and the repugnant exchanges of words are now making headlines.

Are these signs of desperation at putting things in the right perspective? Or vain attempts at eroding the credibility of those in the unity government? Or is someone wanting his pound of flesh à la Shylock?

Hamzah Zainudin attempts to style himself as the guardian of the truth but he has chosen to omit the incentives to MPs that were offered for support for the backdoor government.

That infamous audio recording which made its rounds attests to the sweeteners that were on offer.

Bersatu leader and former prime minister Muhyuddin Yassin is heard telling his coterie of supporters: “If they know a new government is going to be formed with Umno, why not tell them to join us now rather than later? I think if we do that… 10, 20 people… Najib and his gang… and we give them positions… if not ministers, then chairpersons of GLCs.

“They might not want to be left out. Rather than stay now and become the opposition, they want to be a part of the government.”

Former prime minister Muhyiddin Yassin

Not worth listing it? However one looks at it, it is a bribe of sorts to entice support from its then arch enemy. So, why silence on such important matters and instead on self-serving deals?

While visiting other areas, Hamzah conveniently omitted to mention one of the many disreputable episodes that led to the backdoor government.

Perhaps, for a start, in the interest of the entire nation as against party and self-importance, he could tell us how foreign footballers were fast-tracked to become citizens.

(Thousands of Malaysians were born in this country and yet have not been granted citizenship for various reasons. But a few selected foreigners made it despite not meeting the minimum requirements.)

He was home minister and his role and that of his predecessors have remained obscure with silence being their best option.

Then again, he must tell us the course of events that led to his then government seeking a declaration of emergency.

Now that he is on “secrets”, surely, he can tell all Malaysians about the purchase of vaccines at the height of the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020-2021.

So many deals were made, some of them involving kickbacks and backhanders, pushed through without following established procedures.

The list is endless and Hamzah has chosen to remember selectively. It is obvious why so many “revelations” are made. It is election time but instead of resorting to destroying the unity government, why don’t you and your comrades tell us what Malaysians are looking forward to – the truth?

Let it come out in plain simple language - unembellished and not in couched utterances. That will make you a hero - not making unsubstantiated claims which make it hard to be believed. - Mkini

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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.