Harare, Zimbabwe

Let the People read!

Tun M has somewhat issued a veiled permission to the government to release a book on him by Barry Wain. The books have been gathering dust since they arrived at Port Klang about a month ago. It is bewildering when the government has prevented the books from leaving the dock waiting permission from a figure who has long passed his relevancy. If it is true that TDM has something to do with the book being held than it is very obvious that he still plays a deep and irrevocable grip on the present government while the people whom the government should steadfastly served, no longer look upon him in his heydays.

The government should let the People read the book and let them analyse the truth of its contents. Furthermore, since it has nothing to do with the government but rather a former PM thus it is only prudent for the former PM to take legal action against the writer personally as prescribed by the law. He is free to sue the writer for defamation if he finds the contents defamatory and insulting to him. Indeed, it is a private matter and the government should not prevent the People from the opportunity of others' view of the former PM.

Just like in other developing countries, Malaysian politicians have long since utilised and manipulated government agencies to their advantages and sadly the higher echelon of the country civil service colluded with them willingly. Now, TDM dares the government to convene a Royal Commission to probe his alleged abuse of power but instead of him being the only accused, he wants to bring others down with him to the bottom of nowhere.

Convening a Royal Commission which has limited authority is surely a waste of public fund as the findings will become mere report without any effective actions taken just like what happened to the Lingam Gate case. So far, nothing has been done to prosecute those involved though the Commission discovered irregularities in the conduct of those involved. Likewise, the AG's promise to conduct in depth investigation of the missing jet engine is more likely a lip service to the People. The minister concerned was reported to have said that lower officers are involved in the fiasco but such major case needed an officer of substantial standing to issue permission to get the engine out of the camp and not a lowly sergeant or the like.

As Prof. Abd. Aziz Bari succinctly observed days ago Malaysia has become another Zimbabwe due to the acts of selfish politicians. To bring out Malaysia from the abyss of shame and mistrust calls for drastic measure come the 13th GE somewhere in 2012. Being born and live here, it is incumbent for all loyal Malaysians to see that change occurs after the next GE. We can no longer trust them to bring changes since their only concern is themselves.

COME THE 13TH GE, LET US ENSURE THEY ARE BOOTED OUT