My reading of history convinces me that bad government has grown out of too much government.
– John Sharp Williams, American politician
There is a plethora of unfinished business doomed for the trash bin of Malaysian national pathos. Ours is a veritable rojak of parody, comedy, jeopardy and tragedy.
Malaysian politics remind us of the Socrates-Euthyphro dialogue. Every answer the latter offered encouraged the former to enquire even more with his fastidious questions. Finally, Euthyphro walks away leaving all questions unanswered.
Socrates, reportedly, was condemned to die for “poisoning” the minds of the youths of ancient Greece. Ops Lalang was already in full swing 400 years B.C.
Malaysian leaders today are Euthyphro personified roaming the halls of Putrajaya as constitutional arsonists armed with the weapons of mass distractions. KK Mart once again is supplying the props.
PMX is unflinching in not batting an eyelid. There is ‘no man in the arena’. Verbal gladiators aplenty in Parliament, though.
Economists supposedly advising the government are using unpopular theories to tackle and solve practical problems. Can’t use one finger to stop a broken dyke.
Exactly what the Minister of Economy and his ministry are not doing to develop free community vegetable farms in our verdant, vibrant and fertile soil is exasperating.
Annie Besant was right when she said that people can prosper under a very bad government and suffer under a very good one because of inefficient local administration.
Indeed, people can prosper despite unnecessary rules, regulations, restrictions and limitations that become public sector obstacles and impediments. Public service is, rightfully, the call sign of the private sector.
With Article 153 Federal Constitution eerily exploited, inefficiently interpreted, badly practiced and wrongly applied, the uncaring government has unleashed excessive toxic dosages of community polarisation and acute social unease.
Don’t start a fire and expect firefighters to discover there is no water in the fire hydrants. That’s what the terrifying tinderbox of race and religion is doing to our nation as permanently finished business.
Government’s sole function appears to be that of an employment agency dedicated to fattening the civil service.
Why not print tons of uncirculated ringgits nonstop, courtesy Giesecke & Devrient, to buy tons of gold while repealing taxation? And then sell the gold to beef up foreign exchange reserves. Keep the ringgit-printing machines on a 24/7 schedule. Finish the business of staying head of the basket of currencies.
The Federal Constitution is nervously awaiting amendments because our judges generally practice restraint despite the power vested in them in Article 162(6) to adjust, amend, and even repeal unconstitutional laws. Lawmakers couldn’t be bothered. They prefer to yell and scream at each other to earn the Speaker’s timeout.
The electorate tolerates elections thinking a newly elected leadership will eliminate and eradicate corruption. Maybe it’s time our democracy be led by an already existing autocratic monarchy constitutionally directing a well–planned plutocracy.
While a plutocracy is a government ruled by the wealthy, an aristocracy is a form of government ruled by an elite few or a privileged, minority ruling class. An aristocracy often has both money and nobility or hereditary favour, such as in historic Britain and India.
If the people-centric ultra-wealthy are carefully picked and appointed, can the rakyat expect meaningful transformation of our perennial pathos? Long overdue amendments to the Federal Constitution should be the first item on their agenda.
It’s been said that a plutocracy within a democracy tends to be self-reinforcing: wealth is a prerequisite for access to political power, and the policies promoted by plutocrats secure their own hold on wealth and power.
But what if the plutocrats are constitutionally invited by the Conference of Rulers to helm positions of power under the rule of law? Article 38(1)(c) Federal Constitution is clear on this point.
Are we not politically mature to transform politics where the ultra-wealthy are placed in pivotal decision-making positions? Laws can be passed to severely punish them in case of proven kleptocracy with no access to royal pardons.
Is Malaysia ready for such a breakthrough? These plutocrats will have a free hand in securing the best and the brightest to advise them on every aspect of national priorities.
“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete,” is practical wisdom by Richard Buckminster Fuller.
Article 145(1) Federal Constitution requires the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to accept the Prime Minister’s advice in the appointment of the Attorney General, but taht appointment is subject to Article 145(5) – ‘during the pleasure of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’, which thankfully underscores executive monarchy.
Stench of lese majeste in Article 183 (no actions to be instituted against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong or a Ruler except with the consent of the Attorney General personally) that makes no mention of this power in Article 145. More unfinished business to restore the status quo of Kerajaan (the state of having a Raja).
Are we doomed to wait another generation to prevent further degeneration of the nation? The electorate requires a new dimension in demanding what is just and equitable for their well-being. Technocrats and plutocrats instead of politicians may be the final solution.
“To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often,” observed Winston Churchill. Unfinished business needs unwavering and focused government attention.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of Sarawak Tribune.
