Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Why only now, Keng Yaik?

VETERAN politician Dr Lim Keng Yaik has left mainstream politics, yet is under no illusions about the damage his profession has wreaked on the Malaysian electorate.

His glib comments dismissing Najib Abdul Razak Administration are a wake-up call to the prime minister, but it has also incurred the public's wrath. What he has to offer, is too little, too late.

He had serious misgivings about his successor, Koh Tsu Koon's leadership, was pessimistic about Gerakan's grip on Penang and had little faith in a high-income economy.

His disclosures, ranging from the Allah issue to Anwar, were made during an interview with the Edge Financial Daily. They served to illustrate his phoney representation in parliament. What is the point of closing the stable door after the horse has bolted?

lim-keng-yaik-najib-kohHis obsequious restraint towards his political masters in the Barisan Nasional government, for 36 years from 1972 to 2008, has done untold damage to Malaysian politics. It is like having a tiger by the tail, and is so apt, for this New Year.

Although his supercilious remark, "I give up la talking to this government" shows his contempt for Najib's failing policies, it inadvertently puts him in an unflattering light.

Politicians like him, with several General Elections experience, had the authority to challenge, but lacked the moral fibre to do so, when in office. They failed to stop, or retard the growth of, extremism, human rights abuses, imbalances in education and social privileges, that we are now a fragmented society, with a tarnished international reputation.

He was Gerakan president for 27 years but failed to summon the courage, to challenge discriminatory BN policies. It ill-behoved him when he was active, to question the stratagem, so why is he rigorously opposing then now? And if they were wrong, why did he not admit as much then? His unknown motives have proved disastrous for our economy.

Our Parliament is having a crisis of confidence, in its 52-year history. Our political system is afflicted by a deep malaise. We rightly question what motivates the politician who, once they are elected, fails to grasp the concept of public service but instead, becomes self-serving. Trust in our Parliament and its politicians, have eroded to an all-time low.

Keng Yaik confesses that Gerakan's strategy would be to move into mature politics on a multiracial footing. But when asked if the party should exit from BN decries, "There is nothing to get out to, how to get out?" Again, the spectre of the Tiger looms large: He who rides a tiger is afraid to dismount.

We are further enraged when he brazenly admits: "politicians who think they can become rich quickly by joining politics should be condemned and kept out of politics and government."

He insults our intelligence and the voters who put him there. He has no scruples, and shows a lack of morals and integrity. Politicians, including his successor, should take heed. People like him, only demean their office.

What we desperately want are outstanding parliamentarians with sound reforms.

Politikus,

Penang

news courtesy of Malaysian Mirror

1 comment:

Chauncey Gardener said...

Keng Yaik was part of the problem and now see fit to be crtical ?

A politician to the end !!!