MONEY POLITICS

All the indications point to a general election soon, and the grapevine “confirms” this! Maybe it is a good time to talk about politics – money politics.

Actually I have very often wondered what the big deal is about money politics. Doesn’t everything in politics involve money? And is it not the common practice in politics that anything goes? Is it not true that everything is fair in love and war – and politics? The big deal, it would seem, is really about checking the creeping blatancy of the “anything goes” aspect rather than the intent – the blatancy of the act (carelessness and arrogant stupidity in some cases) rather than the morality.

This is a very significant point to make. It means we are actually condemning form rather than substance.

Now, some may say that this is merely the first-step, the first phase. They would argue, for example, corruptions and briberies in some countries are practically institutionalized, and out there on the table. Ours are still below the table (masih ada segan-silu – or perhaps more likely because of the lingering fear of reprisal), and keeping it that way is a first step. Similarly with money politics – meaning, the exercise is to ensure they remain under the table, discreetly hidden!

Of course, this is only the first step, merely a containment initiative. Assuming this phase can be effectively and successfully implemented, what next? Perhaps it hasn’t yet been thought through given that we are still focusing on the first phase, ensuring that they remain strictly under the table. The irony, though, is that if we become very good at keeping them hidden under the table, then money politics will be visible no more. Who, then, can actually say they are still there? What a brilliant Catch22!

So, am I to really believe that the big-to-do about money politics is a genuine and sincere first step – that it is a well-considered move, fully and thoroughly thought through, and not simply a knee-jerk reaction for political expediency or, worst still, a shrewd move just to allay a growing concern? Am I to be optimistic and trustingly believe that politics can really be made honest, and respectable, through the concerted and willing initiatives of the players themselves? I think not.

The only sure way any such change can come about is through the will of the people.

The Rakyat themselves must truly want honest, fair, respectable, and productive politics, and leaders who are honest, accountable, and responsible – and they need to show it. The Rakyat must empower themselves to think, reason, and speak their minds, and voice their views – fairly, rationally, responsibly, and correctly; and within the established systems. And, above all else, they need to always exercise their fundamental rights judiciously.

Easier said than done? Of course, without a doubt – otherwise we wouldn’t be where we are.

But if the majority of us feel a change is really needed, whatever it might be (wiping out corruptions, arrogance, money politics, cronyism, etc. in our system or demanding better performance and greater accountability from our leaders) and we are all ready and willing to work at it, change can come about. Although we put the leaders up there entrusting them to conscionably show us the way, sometimes we, the Rakyat, might have to show them unequivocally what we really want – and the way we want them to go about it!

And as for money politics – if they are still around at that point, and if doing the right thing is still too difficult or risky or both (or if the temptation is too great) – “as a first step” take the money but do the right thing thereafter nonetheless!