Good Night, Feudal Malaysia!
By Khoo Kay Peng
Isa Samad won because he was a very popular chief minister of Negri Sembilan. The Chinese community had benefited from his largess. Yes, kiss the hand that feeds you. Never mind if it was something a chief minister or any elected representative was supposed to do – taking care of his people’s interests.
Never mind if he was corrupted. A number of Malaysian Chinese still believe that it is okay for a leader to be corrupted as long as he/she can bring development. Hence, for years many of them had a bitter sweet relationship with Dr Mahathir.
They voted overwhelmingly for him when the economy was doing well and punished him when the economy was not doing well. It did not matter if Dr Mahathir was an autocrat. Never mind if he had acted undemocratically and harshly against his political enemies.
On Saturday, the MCA delegates voted to keep a similar rotten culture in their party.
Isa may have won. Chua Soi Lek may be thrilled to see his opponent being disposed. Isa and Chua did not win.
Ong Tee Keat may have been rejected but he did not lose. But he would be remembered as a casualty of those who would not hesitate to do anything to protect their own interest and wrongdoing. His next move will determine if he will enjoy the last laugh.
This nation has lost another chance to change and to reject the bad.
Good night, feudal Malaysia. Continue to kiss the hands of your corrupted leaders, no matter how dirty and smelly they are.
