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Reason why politicians implicated in wrongdoing win elections

AMID the explosion of information on war and politics, social and religious polemics and the weakening economy, it is ironic some people can still make millions, even billions of ringgit, out of human misery when others can barely make ends meet.

In some countries, the oligarchs, bankers, politicians and those close to the corridors of power are still able to create wealth through ways and means that are beyond comprehension.

Some are legitimate due to diligence and perseverance in creating wealth, but some others are ill-gotten gains — benefits obtained by dishonest means or in an evil manner.

In our country, we have been exposed to the alleged wrongdoings of politicians, businessmen, and government and enforcement officials for decades.

Sometimes, the amount could be negligible. We hear of enforcement officials being offered a bribe of just RM50 to not take action over an offence. But it is still corruption.

However, when we hear and read news of millions and billions of ringgit in alleged corruption involving politicians and businessmen, we wonder how on earth did they manage to obtain money that could feed at least seven generations of their descendants.

Here is the premise of the argument — are politicians crooks? Many average Joes think so in countries that practise democracy and laissez-faire economies.

In some democratic countries, there is somewhat of a symbiotic relationship between crime and politics. It raises issues to the extent that people perceive crime and politics as so intertwined that a "clean politician" sounds like an oxymoron.

In some countries, political candidates who stand accused or are convicted of criminal misconduct routinely win elections and assume important positions in the government.

A case in point: Data collected by the promoter of transparency and social control of public authorities, Transparencia Brasil, revealed that 60 per cent of Brazilian federal legislators in 2016 were convicted of a crime or were the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation.

In Nigeria's 2015 election, some political candidates brandished allegiance to militia groups or criminal gangs while canvassing for votes.

A May 2016 report in The New York Times revealed that as many as 30 former US state legislators were convicted, indicted or accused of criminal wrongdoing.

In 2017, The Times of India reported that 34 per cent of Indian members of parliament elected in 2014 faced criminal cases and 21 per cent stood accused of serious crimes.

The funny thing was that candidates implicated in wrongdoing did quite well in the polls. Their success had a chilling effect on individuals with clean records who might think twice about joining the electoral fray.

"As a result, the bad equilibrium perpetuates itself, politicians with questionable records are attracted to the office while so-called 'clean' candidates exit," the report said.

Over the years, I noticed one significant trend — voters who support "soiled" candidates are usually well aware of their reputations. When the people's basic needs are not met and the government fails to carry out the most basic functions, such candidates will use their ill-gotten wealth and connections to "get things done" for their supporters.

Like most Malaysians, I do not wish to see the upcoming general election result in corrupt politicians ruling this country. All politicians must be clean and must be seen to be clean.

It may be naivety on my part because I do not discount the fact that corruption can always happen whenever there is a giver and a taker. We can never see the end of it as the nexus between crime and politics is always perplexing.

An elected politician may sign all sorts of transparency and statutory declarations, but there is always a loophole that he can exploit.

As I said earlier, politicians must be clean and must be seen to be clean — even in the clothes and accessories they wear.

The people sneer at politicians if they wear branded shirts with equally expensive wristwatches and shoes when they visit night market traders.

Leave those luxury items at home and wear something appropriate to the occasion. They should realise a pasar malam trader can hardly make RM250 selling fried noodles in an honest day's work.

In this time and age, people look forward to better services from their representatives and not their fashion sense!


The writer, a former NST journalist, is a film scriptwriter whose penchant is finding new food haunts

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