1st World mentality?

In Malaysiakini Top Blog corner, Lim Kit Siang posted an important question about the disgraceful incongruity of Malaysia’s First World Infrastructure, but the absence of a First World Mentality!

He's absolutely right, and pretty succinct with his post title.

Uncle Lim was referring to a blog post by Hannah Yeoh, DAP Selangor Assemblywoman for Subang Jaya who related to us the shameful behaviour of the teachers of SMK Subang Utama toward an illustrious alumna, Hannah herself.

Hannah was invited to the school’s Prefects’ Reunion next week, but according to two prefects, the school teacher have threatened the prefects into withdrawing the invitation to Hannah who had served as the head prefect in 1995/6.

Furthermore it is to be a private function so what right do those teachers have in interfering with the function that is being organized by the prefects and who they invite as their guests?

Naturally Hannah has been traumatised to see such politically divisive interference intruding into a school and affecting students.

The Minister of Education should bloody well explain.

But to be frank, I am not entirely surprised with the UMNO-led government’s attitude. We are certainly not a 1st World nation in our democratic process, ministerial and governmental conduct, and our civil service behaves as if they are the private property of warlords.

Yes, we are also familiar with Malaysian tribal mentality - see Ijok - where Malays are even more tribal!.

But I mustn’t let the opposition escape from sharing the blame.

I ask Uncle Lim whether encouraging party defections would be a 1st World political process?

So Uncle Lim, please lah, much as I love you, don’t throw stones when you’re living in a glass house. Go sort out your Sarawak branch, and bring them into the political practice of the 1st World.

And also, what sort of person would brandish the slogan of 'Ketuanan Rakyat' yet in the same breath intend to subvert the decision of the Rakyat made on 08 March 2008?

Deformasi, defomasi, deformasi! Uncle Lim, you're in bad company, so ... why raise the issue of 1st World mentality?

Let's look at another case.

Recall RPK statutory declaration which is readily available on Malaysiakini for anyone to peruse!

What did RPK declare?

Let me summarise in three sentences (with some commentaries) what he wrote:

(1) I have been reliably informed … yadda yadda yadda … essentially the circumstances surrounding the crime, the participants, and those who are 'believed' to know about this, namely 2 politicians (including the PM) and a ruler (as told to and claimed by RPK)

... bearing in mind ‘reliably’ is very subjective – it may be deemed ‘reliable’ by RPK but unless the facts (not just a Stat Dec) of the case are evaluated properly, it has to be considered as just an opinion.

(2) I make this SD because I am aware it is a crime not to reveal evidence that may help police in investigating the crime

RPK calls it ‘evidence’ but is it? An unknown bloke told him the story so how would it be evidence? And even then he is stating he made the Stat Dec (but not police report) as compelled by his need not to commit a crime.

(3) I know both whistle blower and said ruler but I have agreed not to reveal who they are, other than the PM and his S-I-L who were provided with a copy of the incident from Military Intelligence.

I wasn’t aware that MI reported directly to the PM. But anyway, unless the whistle blower is made known, it's just another '50 dahils ...'

Now, the IGP wants to interrogate RPK as well as the three individuals named in RPK’s Stat Dec, as the Star has reported in Cops to probe RPK’s claims.

What if the 3, presumably Rosmah Mansor, Col Buyong and wife Norhayati said “we don’t know where the f* RPK had obtained the silly story? Why don't you go and ask him?” What else can the police do?

Then the police go to RPK and ask “who is your informer? Tell us or you’re in deep shit!”

Then (I am of course speculating or scenario modelling only because RPK has not revealed who the whistle blower is) RPK answers “he is actually the Ruler! Both are one and same person.”

Hmmm, can the police interrogate a Ruler?

End of story!

While RPK’s Stat Dec has been politically sensational and titillating, and ammo for (and the job of) the opposition to raise the issue for debate in Parliament, as reported by Malaysiakini in Altantunya: Emergency motion on new allegations it’s lacking substance, real substance.

I believe it serves a 'certain purpose' but it’s hardly evidence UNLESS RPK comes up with the REAL GOODS. Why beat around the bush with "I have been reliably informed ..."?

… which brings me nicely to my query about ‘1st World mentality’.

Najib and Rosmah are both bloody lucky that Najib is the DPM or they would have been lynched by the mob already, as from what I have read around the blogs, they are guilty until proven innocent, and f* due process.

1st World mentality?