Corruption, Corruption, Corruption

I have been following public rallies, read articles written by foreigners and locals and leaders of both the Pakatan Rakyat and the Barisan Nasional.  There was no lack of local political news these days - much more than ever before.

One of the serious problems that came to light was election rigging or gerrymandering in past elections during the past five decades. Foreigners including illegal immigrats were granted blue identity cards and subsequently citizenship so that they could vote for the Barisan Nasional.

Past two years saw the surfacing of multi-farious complaints about phantom voters.  Thousands of such voters were found in the electoral roll.  They resided in either non-existent or existent places of abode.

Newspapers reports alleged foreign workers and illegal immigrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indonesia and Philippines had been taken by buses to places  where they were indoctrinated and promised that temporary blue identity cards and country citizenship would be issued and granted them if they voted for the ruling Government.

Another deceptive idea was propounded by the Election Commission to allow eligible Malaysian students presently studying in UK, Europe, Canada, US and Australia and New Zealand to cast their votes through the post.

The ruling Government, particularly UMNO leaders, is taking advantage of the coming Chinese New Year and hold luncheon gathering to induce the Chinese voters to vote for UMNO candidates by offering hampers and ang-powers.

Within the last 12 months, money has been distributed to citizens earning below RM30,000/- per annum a sum of RM500/- each.  And, it is believed  that the BN is going to pay another RM500/- to them just before the election which is likely to be called sometime in March, 2013 after the Chinese New Year. The money of course is from the tax-payers purse.

The last 12 months saw the desperation of the BN Government and agencies moving billions of Ringgit overseas particularly in UK under the pretext of profitable investments.  Worst of all, the money had been taken from the workers' hard earned savings in EPF, SOCSO, GLCs, social and religious bodies,

Besides, billions of Ringgit were commited to various highly inflated infrastructural projects and procurement of military and defence equipments and arms.  Approval was given with such unpredecented ease as if money flows out of the ground.

All the above listed happenings are by no means exhaustive.  With the wanton expenditure, the deficit budget is likely to spiral until the bubble bursts.  It is indeed surprising to note that our highest goal-keeper is reticent and blind to such income reducing activities.  Looks as if it has lost its tongue.

Money laundering is rampant.  Thus far, banks involved have not been pulled up by the central bank and authority.  Charges have not thus far been preferred.

The atmosphere is smack of corruption air, it pervades to all nooks and corners of the country.  One wonders when it will be cleansed so that the nation will be able to grow and progress into an industrialised economy.

The time is for everyone to rise to the occasion and cast their votes wisely and choose the Government that promises inter-alia  anti-corruption, free education, removal of road tolls, and nationalisation of all the privatised utility corporations that have fallen into the hands of UMNO cronies, institution of a royal commission of inquiry into those past and present public leaders who have amassed huge and unexplained wealth through corrupt practices and abuse of their positions during their respective terms of service.

The rakyat wants a truly democratic country based on meritocracy and where the people rights as citizens are fairly protected regardless of their ethnic origin, religion and political affiliation.  Viva le Malaysia.