The political cost of civil service deceit

While the monetary cost of these scandals run into the billions, the Barisan Nasional government is now counting the political cost that has broken its customary two-thirds parliamentary majority and rule in four more states apart from Kelantan. Do they wonder why people don't trust them?

THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER

Anyone surprised at the scale and level  of incompetence in the Port Klang Free Zone fiasco? Anyone surprised with Datuk Mat Zain Ibrahim's statement of claim and attempts to clear his name with the anti-graft authorities?

Possibly not after the various scandals that have rocked this young nation of 52 years, most over the past three decades. Think BMf. Think Maminco, Bank Negara's forex losses, Perwaja, CCB.

How about the graft scandal that was linked to a Nuri crash in December 1989 that killed 16, including senior military officials in Sarawak.

And the 4.3ha land scam in Penang that is costing the state government RM29 million rather than RM40 million. Consider the fact that it could have been settled for RM1.8 million but the previous state government had appealed.

Or the fact that a royal commission found some people had a case to answer in the V.K. Lingam video clip. Nothing has happened except the accidental videographer in the case is now the accidental honourable parliamentarian for Kelana Jaya.

Let's not even go on about the police action these past few weeks in Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh over wearing black attire, holding candle-light vigils and going on a hunger strike. Or the fact that police can enter a state legislative assembly chamber and pull out a sitting speaker.

While the monetary cost of these scandals run into the billions, the Barisan Nasional government is now counting the political cost that has broken its customary two-thirds parliamentary majority and rule in four more states apart from Kelantan.

Do they wonder why people don't trust them?

Don't they know they have ruled the country since Merdeka, through predecessor Alliance, and should have had better control over a civil service that has either gone amok and crazed with power, making deceitful decisions that now carry a political cost.

Or is there a tenuous political link to the civil service decisions? Which makes it all the more easier for people to lose faith and trust in the government of the day.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng has faced a few incidents — corruption and misinformation — involving the civil service since taking power after Election 2008. He did the decisive thing, he either sacked or moved the officers out.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak now inherits the mantle of leadership, and with it the problems and bad decisions of the past that are biting his government.

Like his fellow Manchester United fan in Penang, Najib has to make some quick decisions. Or the political cost of civil service deceit will bury his government in public odium and contempt.

If it hasn't already.