Malaysians Love Gorillas in Government

'Belligerent'. If there was only one word to be chosen to best describe the mannerisms and attitudes of the recent crop of politicians that overrun the echelons of the government and the (un)civil service, this would be the best choice. However, 'cantankerous', 'discourteous', incompetent', 'ineffectual', 'unimpressive' and 'inept' does run a close second.

It boggles the mind to know that amongst the myriad of available cerebral resources that is to be had from within this country, those best left to linger at the bottom of the social rung somehow – against the odds, I might add - manage to climb their way to the top of the political ladder.

There’s a saying that holds true to this:

"In any broth, the scum always rises to the top"

Is this because of the current political practices in Malaysia? Not the system, mind you, though that is flawed enough as it is. After all, it is an open secret that the supposed separation between the judicial and the executive is non existent, and most Malaysians are quite aware that the Parliament can only be best describe as a kindergarten playground populated with aged bullies.

So let us not question the political system or our politicians for the time being, but rather question ourselves. After all, while Malaysians - as the people of our government - are empowered to say 'yea' or 'nay' to any politician, would-be or otherwise, we find ourselves, more often than not, at the mercy of politicians than the other way around.

There are some who would venture that as a collective, people are unintelligent. They substantiate this by saying that as individuals, people are intelligent, reasoning beings, but as a collective group, people are foolish, mindless organisms. This is unacceptable to me. While there are some elements in this statement which are true, it is a fact that we are more knowledgeable as a collective than we are alone.

But why has it become a political practice - or even a political preference - that the worst amongst us are chosen to be fielded for elections? Why is it that abject allegiance - regardless of how mindless it is – a currency which is more valued than morality? And why is it that seniority - some would venture senility - counts more than integrity and intellect?

It would seem that Malaysians – though enlightened - would prefer chest thumping silverback demagogues who play on our popular prejudices, fears and expectations over those quietly capable individuals who are able to perform in office with the required skills and competencies to manage our interests. Or is it the other way around? Do politicians prefer to be chest thumping silverback demagogues rather than quietly capable individuals?

Being a career politician has its price, after all. Being fielded in an election costs money, and a lot of it. The trappings of a politician - it must be said - do not come cheap, never mind the fact that most politicians are not able to coherently speak without a teleprompter.

But I digress. The fault lays not so much with those in power, but to those amongst us who bequeath that power to them. After all, why is it that Malaysians need to suffer indignity after indignity before we come to our senses, if ever that blessed day comes? Why is it that we are so able to whisper so covertly amongst ourselves, but never able to stand overtly against the supposed powers that be?

It is a sad fact that most Malaysians would still choose to elect demagogues rather than intellectuals to positions of power. It is a sad fact that Malaysians would prefer to hear rhetoric and propaganda playing on our prejudices and expectations, rather than the harsh truths about our country.

To those who think that the ruling coalition will not receive their two thirds majority in the next general election, I hope you are right, but it is highly doubtful that this will happen. It is odd that those amongst us who have voiced our opinions have been labeled as 'the disgruntled' by the ruling coalition as we are the ones who see a better future ahead for us all. But it is worse when those among us voice our opinions only to be labeled as 'the disillusioned' by our fellow citizens - the very people of our beloved country - we are standing up for.

Malaysians fall under the malaise of needing change, but not wanting it. Malaysians see implied adherence to duty, good faith and loyalty as matters which are greater than skill and competence in managing our interests. Because of this, our trust structure - that little two way road between the people and the government - has been repeatedly abused and disabused by both sides of the fence who (ever so vehemently) claim to protect it in favor of short term gains, as opposed to long term goals.

And because of this, that trust structure is being torn down, brick by brick in front of our eyes.

"The strongest argument against democracy is a five minute discussion with the average voter" - Sir Winston Churchill