Datuk Zakaria, Faizal Abdullah – crying and crucifixions, local elections

Well, Dtk Zakaria is all over the news. You’ve probably read most of what there is out there (theSun, NST, The Star – who is unusually sympathetic), and maybe even seen the videos (The Star, Malaysiakini). Before some reflections, a quick point -

Faizal Abdullah – Klang councillor, Selangor Umno Youth vice-chairman and Kapar Umno Youth chief – takes one step forward and about fifteen back. He apologises for building his own mansion (are these guys in some sort of competition?) without a permit , but proceeds to use the exact same shameful tactic as Dtk Z of blaming someone else – in these cases, the architects :P

Any leader worth his/her salt never blames a subordinate. What use are leaders if they won’t take responsibility for themselves, apa lagi the people who they kononnya lead?

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Back to Dtk. Z. I guess plenty of people are making fun of his tears, and fair enough. (Sekurang-kurangnya, you can say he’s acknowledged and apologised. Brendan Pereiraleh?)

Let me state for the record that I think he should be made to face all the consequences that come with pretending (consciously or subconsciously) that normal and annoying little laws don’t apply to big shots. I reckon that includes being relieved of as many leadership posts as possible.

That said, there’s a minor chance that the attention he has been getting has been disproportionate. That can only be truly good if it signals the beginning of a systematic hunting down of leaders who treat their power as privilige rather than responsibility.

No one is stupid enough to think that Dtk Z is the only bad fish out there. I’m not even sure he’s a big fish. We all know how deep the culture of corruption and impunity run in this country (everyone pointed out, incidentally, that Dtk Z never said he was going to relinquish his post; spent his time blaming/demonising opposition instead – boooooring). My favorite still-swimming-freely fishy example is of course Jasin MP YB Dtk Mohd Said bin Yusof.

So fine, if you must crucify him, I won’t defend the indefensible. BUT, I believe very strongly that there should be no personal attacks, no malicious vendettas, etc etc. Do your professional duty consistently and persistently, and let that be enough.

And jeepers creepers, do you have any idea how much of this can be avoided by reinstating elections for local council members? I bet you lots of people would like control over those responsible for fixing their roads and keeping towns clean, not just for those select few who form our complicated legislature.