FEB 5 – The ringgit rises and Malaysians are eager to travel to flaunt relative affluence. Here’s a question, do not salivate, do not pack the bags yet, who runs these desired...
and enjoy FREE RM10 & when you sign up using code VERSAMM10 with min. cash of RM100 today! T&Cs apply.FEB 5 – The ringgit rises and Malaysians are eager to travel to flaunt relative affluence. Here’s a question, do not salivate, do not pack the bags yet, who runs these desired destinations? Whether by flight, oceanic voyage or bus, are these cities governed through local elections or not?Have a good think before answering.
Rattle the head sideways, tell you what, screw columnists and their tricky questions, use AI; Gemini, ChatGPT or perhaps Claude?But surely there are exceptions, nations with sanity who do not madly, unthinkingly rush into becoming freely elected cities. That would be cities in one-party nations of China, Vietnam and North Korea, for Beijing, Shanghai, Hanoi or Pyongyang. But we hate communists, absolutely abhor them. Umno politicians have built their whole careers spewing their hatred for commies and their commie ways which threaten to humiliate, decimate and annihilate our sacred ways. There is nothing worse than adopting a communist mindset. It is the number one objective for the true Malay nationalist patriot, to keep Malaysia communist free.That leaves us with Singapore and Brunei. Only one is a travel destination, and not an aspirational destination for Umno leaders. So, who to follow when deciding on local elections? Because every sane city in the world elects its leadership, with different styles and methods, but the bottom line, elect. Not appoint, elect. A slew of Malay nationalists here oppose elections in a zeal akin to assuming Kuala Lumpur residents deciding their city management means killing the soul of Kuala Lumpur. What a very weird way of looking at representative government. In their minds, they have to protect Kuala Lumpur residents from their own foolishness. But they are completely convinced that all the cities named above are competently run, actually wonderfully run, that they would like to visit them. That they let their children study in them, safe and reassured their children are not in elected asylums.Umno, PAS, Bersatu politicians are not opposed to elections, because their parties hold elections, and they are elected at the state and federal levels. The study by International Islamic University is commissioned to independently validate what a world already knows. They are not about to crack the code. It’s political cover for DAP, so that an election in Kuala Lumpur has academic backing, not just the backing of political parties. Which is why Malay nationalists urge studies into the split public schools system, meaning the existence of Chinese vernacular schools and the UEC examination system.This country is so stuck in 1950s trepidations and haunted by ghosts of the past that what we desperately need is group therapy rather than academic research. The real opposition is not to elections but the ethnic compositions of city leaderships at the end of elections. It is the spectre of a Chinese mayor for Kuala Lumpur. Which is Armageddon minus the pyrotechnics for them. Inconceivable, impossible and indecent. They feel Kuala Lumpur residents, even if the majority of them are Malays, are going to vote for a Chinese. That’s it, that’s what we are really talking about. All the smokescreens and euphemisms are reduced to the fear of the yellow wave.Kuala Lumpur voters are capable of electing the worst kind of mayor, just as Putrajaya is likely to continue appointing mayors few Kuala Lumpur residents know. — Picture by Yusof Mat IsaFormer MP Puad Zarkashi fears cartels and gangsters will run Malaysian cities if there were free city elections. Somehow, if civil servants are appointed and hold no direct accountability to Kuala Lumpur residents but to the politicians who appointed them, they will be eminently capable and corruption free. Corruption happens when things happen in the dark and are done unquestioningly. Corruption in governance directly correlates to transparency, auditing discipline and judiciary oversight. People do not steal less because they are good people with great values, people do not steal if the likelihood of them being caught is extremely high. Elections keep those in power in check. Which is why the first six prime ministers diligently warded off fair elections and administered through the bloated institutional corruption being fought today.Private sector corruptors hate elections because they bring uncertainties. They prefer a fixed power structure they can appease to garner privileges. Better buy out the same guy in power for decades rather than needing to try to buy out all the guys in position to win power. Worse, forced to witness each proceeding winner highlight the corruption by previous administrations, dragging the private sector corruptors along in their fall.As a grandchild of Kuala City Hall garbage collectors and market cleaners, let me weigh in.They wake up early to be out serving the city, for decades. They are dead now. Kuala Lumpur voters are capable of electing the worst kind of mayor, just as Putrajaya is likely to continue appointing mayors few Kuala Lumpur residents know. An elected mayor has a more direct relationship with the electorate. This is not an earth-shattering reveal, this is just the normal thing that happens in normal democracies.Why are so many people who do not suffer the city traffic, never rue the long waits for transit buses after their train rides, never cringe when it rains in case their car floats in a parking lot or dinner is under a bridge, want to tell KL what it needs?Why disallow Kuala Lumpur folks the right to argue among themselves about what is best for them rather than allow prime ministers from different corners of the federation determine their leadership?Maybe when they travel out of the country, to any of the thousands of elected cities from Ankara to Wellington, they can look out of their hotel windows and realise the cities have not burnt themselves to the ground. This does not have to go on in perpetuity because opponents have in them the ability to play out fears in regular Malaysians.* This is the personal opinion of the columnist.
Malay Nationalists Elected Mayors Communist Mindset Umno Politicians Racial Compositions
Malaysia Latest News, Malaysia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
PAS extends Chinese New Year greetings, calls on Malaysians to renew resolveThis Malaysian man did not let his age deter him from taking on one of Nepal's most famous treks.
Read more »
Malaysians Tapping Out on Beer as Budgets Run Dry, But Heineken Still Pours In The ProfitsWhile the company's sales remained flat at RM2.8 billion Even though Heineken sold the same amount as last financial year (RM2.8 billion) - because people have less money to spend…
Read more »
Malaysians Urged to Preserve Harmony Amidst Differences in Chinese New Year GreetingsPrime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy Prime Ministers extend Chinese New Year greetings, urging Malaysians to maintain unity and understanding amidst differences, rejecting prejudice and embracing dialogue to strengthen the nation's plural society.
Read more »
Warner Bros assures continued HBO services for MalaysiansKUALA LUMPUR: HBO channels and HBO Max remain accessible to Malaysian audiences despite Astro’s decision to stop offering the channel from March, Warner B
Read more »
Confucius, Lao Tzu & Unity: PAS Quotes Chinese Philosophers in Warm CNY Message for MalaysiansPAS has extended warm wishes to all Malaysians ahead of the Chinese New Year on 17 February, while urging the nation to strengthen unity through mutual
Read more »
Anwar Ibrahim: Government to Implement Better Policies for All MalaysiansPrime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim addressed the Chinese New Year celebration, emphasizing the government's commitment to creating better policies for all Malaysians, irrespective of their background. He highlighted the importance of unity, tolerance, and working together to overcome challenges, drawing inspiration from past leaders.
Read more »