R Nadeswaran
Published: Mar 19, 2024 7:00 AM
“We are journalists - not the public prosecutor nor the modern-day version of Buford Pusser, the hero in (the movie) ‘Walking Tall’. We use our pens - we do not walk around carrying a baseball bat or have holsters strapped to our hips. We are the eyes and ears of the public - and we take pride in such a role. Our job is to inform and educate. Our system does not allow Joe Public to bring about private prosecution. We merely record the wrongdoings, in the hope that the wrongdoers would be punished and public money that has been lost is recouped.”
COMMENT | More than 15 years ago, I penned these words out of frustration rather than anger.
There had been no action on several cases of misuse of power and (government) money which I exposed despite having my statement recorded by various enforcement agencies, there were no results to show.
When I wrote a commentary on the wives of Selangor assemblypersons going on lawatan sambil belajar (study trips), the police were more interested in finding the source of information than going after the wrongdoers.
Among those that were exposed was the “palace” built on land meant for low-cost housing by (the late) assemblyperson Zakaria Mat Deros, the alienation of state land in Selangor to cronies - some of whom were in their teens; the Petaling Jaya City Council’s billboard scandal; former Minister Ng Yen Yen being a permanent resident of Australia.
At that time, I had written about 600 articles and commentaries but the only consolation was that a former national gymnast was charged. Even then, the charges were later withdrawn.
Those were the days when the Umno/BN government, both at the state and national level, had their tentacles in various arms of the government. The abang-adik culture of “you scratch my back, I scratch yours” was prevalent.
These days, not much has changed either because the influence peddlers also double up as decision-makers.
As Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim sits with his cabinet tomorrow to decide on the fate of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, a feeling of hopelessness has descended. His remarks at the end of his working trip to Germany provided little relief. It was cause for consternation.
Published: Mar 19, 2024 7:00 AM
“We are journalists - not the public prosecutor nor the modern-day version of Buford Pusser, the hero in (the movie) ‘Walking Tall’. We use our pens - we do not walk around carrying a baseball bat or have holsters strapped to our hips. We are the eyes and ears of the public - and we take pride in such a role. Our job is to inform and educate. Our system does not allow Joe Public to bring about private prosecution. We merely record the wrongdoings, in the hope that the wrongdoers would be punished and public money that has been lost is recouped.”
COMMENT | More than 15 years ago, I penned these words out of frustration rather than anger.
There had been no action on several cases of misuse of power and (government) money which I exposed despite having my statement recorded by various enforcement agencies, there were no results to show.
When I wrote a commentary on the wives of Selangor assemblypersons going on lawatan sambil belajar (study trips), the police were more interested in finding the source of information than going after the wrongdoers.
Among those that were exposed was the “palace” built on land meant for low-cost housing by (the late) assemblyperson Zakaria Mat Deros, the alienation of state land in Selangor to cronies - some of whom were in their teens; the Petaling Jaya City Council’s billboard scandal; former Minister Ng Yen Yen being a permanent resident of Australia.
At that time, I had written about 600 articles and commentaries but the only consolation was that a former national gymnast was charged. Even then, the charges were later withdrawn.
Those were the days when the Umno/BN government, both at the state and national level, had their tentacles in various arms of the government. The abang-adik culture of “you scratch my back, I scratch yours” was prevalent.
These days, not much has changed either because the influence peddlers also double up as decision-makers.
As Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim sits with his cabinet tomorrow to decide on the fate of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, a feeling of hopelessness has descended. His remarks at the end of his working trip to Germany provided little relief. It was cause for consternation.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim
Three weeks ago, when asked in Kuala Selangor if toll concessions for highways around Kuala Lumpur can be renegotiated, he said it could be done once the country’s financial situation improves.
Instead of bluntly saying “we can afford it in the current economic situation” to a proposal to host the Games, he said that the government would scrutinise the details and obtain the views of all parties.
“We have to look in detail first. Look at it as the whole before making a final decision,” Bernama quoted him as saying in Berlin.
Has the financial situation changed in a month? No.
Call me a cynic if you wish, but I can only guess that the lobbyists have got to him with all kinds of promises and undertakings. In my many years as a journalist, I know how the system works and how creative some in power can be.
Money, money, money
Even without government funding, 10 percent of the RM600 million promised by the Commonwealth Games Federation is a lot of money.
I can picture well-connected politicians rubbing their palms in elation and glee at the many money-making opportunities that can come along.
Hovering behind them, as I see it, are contractors and suppliers who can provide anything - from T-shirts and medals and from stationery to scaffoldings. At every turn, the ringgit sign will feature prominently and the slew of cash circulating will be humongous.
Three weeks ago, when asked in Kuala Selangor if toll concessions for highways around Kuala Lumpur can be renegotiated, he said it could be done once the country’s financial situation improves.
Instead of bluntly saying “we can afford it in the current economic situation” to a proposal to host the Games, he said that the government would scrutinise the details and obtain the views of all parties.
“We have to look in detail first. Look at it as the whole before making a final decision,” Bernama quoted him as saying in Berlin.
Has the financial situation changed in a month? No.
Call me a cynic if you wish, but I can only guess that the lobbyists have got to him with all kinds of promises and undertakings. In my many years as a journalist, I know how the system works and how creative some in power can be.
Money, money, money
Even without government funding, 10 percent of the RM600 million promised by the Commonwealth Games Federation is a lot of money.
I can picture well-connected politicians rubbing their palms in elation and glee at the many money-making opportunities that can come along.
Hovering behind them, as I see it, are contractors and suppliers who can provide anything - from T-shirts and medals and from stationery to scaffoldings. At every turn, the ringgit sign will feature prominently and the slew of cash circulating will be humongous.
A bamboo pole to hang the flag could fetch at least RM8 (that’s what a BN candidate paid during GE14) the runners’ numbers could be flogged for RM10 a pair.
New gymnastics equipment may make someone half a million and there is plenty to be made even from the nasi bungkus for volunteers.
Looking at the lower end, making just RM3 per packet for 6,000 volunteers over 12 days will bring in RM216,000 - not bad a reward for an intermediary.
It would be argued that because of the tight datelines, calling for tenders and evaluating them would be a waste of time, and hence, the answer would be direct negotiations.
Stranger things have happened
The many voices of opposition to being hosts have drowned those of the proponents, but stranger things have happened in the country.
For example, many Umno members (including cabinet ministers) continue to believe former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s ill-founded claim that he is entitled to a full pardon because he did not get a “fair trial”.
And his family continues to believe he will rise from incarceration just like Nelson Mandela, but the latter had never stolen from his people!
Najib Abdul Razak and Ahmad Zahid Hamidi
Elsewhere, another problem has been placed at the attorney-general’s door, to decide whether to proceed or withdraw an appeal to overturn Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s acquittal in the foreign visa system (VLN) corruption case.
Let us also not forget that he was given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal in the Yayasan Akalbudi case after his defence was called because Anwar said that the AG wanted a “clear his conscience”.
In this instance of hosting the Games, I hope and want to be proven wrong. I will certainly be thrilled and elated if the cabinet refuses. But if for any strange reason, the decision is otherwise, here is my offer.
I am willing to work for a token RM1 and do national service by serving on the finance committee and ensuring there are no leaks and every sen in income expenditure is accounted for.
We cannot put foxes in charge of the hen house, can we?
R NADESWARAN hopes the cabinet will make the right call but some decisions in the past have been beyond comprehension. Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com
Elsewhere, another problem has been placed at the attorney-general’s door, to decide whether to proceed or withdraw an appeal to overturn Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s acquittal in the foreign visa system (VLN) corruption case.
Let us also not forget that he was given a discharge not amounting to an acquittal in the Yayasan Akalbudi case after his defence was called because Anwar said that the AG wanted a “clear his conscience”.
In this instance of hosting the Games, I hope and want to be proven wrong. I will certainly be thrilled and elated if the cabinet refuses. But if for any strange reason, the decision is otherwise, here is my offer.
I am willing to work for a token RM1 and do national service by serving on the finance committee and ensuring there are no leaks and every sen in income expenditure is accounted for.
We cannot put foxes in charge of the hen house, can we?
R NADESWARAN hopes the cabinet will make the right call but some decisions in the past have been beyond comprehension. Comments: citizen.nades22@gmail.com
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