Citizen Nades – Stupidity can never be fixed

Is there a consultation process or inter-ministerial meeting held before a new government policy or initiative is introduced?

R. Nadeswaran, The Sun Daily

STATEMENTS by religious leaders are mandatory for two reasons – to get a better understanding of the religion and to see how one religion is perceived by another through the eyes of its leaders.

Some are moderate and tend to be liberal while a few tend to take a rather narrow interpretation of their holy books without giving any room for dissension or discussion. It is not restricted to any one religion and this is a common thread that puts the various leaders in the same boat.

Occasionally, they present common-sense views on bread and butter issues and ask questions which affect all citizens.

Last week, the Perlis mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainal Abidin asked a touching, important and justified question which transcends all boundaries of religion: “Can the less intelligent be given important posts such as that of minister and the like?”

The post on his Facebook never mentioned any names but media watchers were quick to remark that he was making reference to Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Ahmad Maslan, who reportedly said that Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad lacked understanding about the Goods and Services Tax (GST).

The scathing attack continued: “If someone, who the majority of Malaysians perceive as ‘less intelligent’ (to avoid using the word stupid) because of his statements on GST, says that Tun M, who is famous for his intellect, does not understand GST, then is the person who made that statement wiser than Tun M?” asked the mufti.

Over the long holiday weekend, the prime minister took to Twitter to send a stinging message on the uncertainty over the GST on pre-paid phone top-ups.

In a message to Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Shabery Cheek, the PM directed: Pls take charge of the topup issue. Mulai skrg, sebarang pengumuman kpd rkyt hanya boleh dibuat oleh KKMM sahaja.

The tone and the language did not sound like a request or an appeal. It was a directive, command or order from the numero uno of the nation. Short of saying “enough is enough”, the decree could have been the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.

This should have compelled right-thinking Malaysians to ask: “Why are our ministers squabbling and making a mockery of the GST? Don’t they have inter-ministerial meetings to iron out issues?”

So many statements have been made by so many ministers and deputies – some bordered on absurdity, some were plain stupid and some were carefully calculated words prepared by administrative officials.

After making numerous statements on the service charge imposed by hotels and food and beverage outlets, the ministers retreated when presented with the facts. After thumping their chests and declaring service charge is illegal and promising to abolish it, a face-saving creature called “required to put up notice” was introduced. But such notices have been in the menu all this while.

This brings up the question and it is not restricted to the GST: Is there a consultation process or inter-ministerial meeting held before a new government policy or initiative is introduced?

No one gets up one morning and declares: “As of tomorrow, the policy will change … ” It goes through the process, gets approved by the cabinet before an announcement is made. And before implementation, courtesy dictates that all stakeholders are informed and given time to make the necessary changes to accommodate the new rules.

In the case of GST, the government had been talking about GST for years and announced the implementation date as April 1. So, what happened in the interim period?

Why weren’t the restaurants and the hospitality industry consulted on the issue of service charge and the issues discussed? How could you say that once GST is imposed, the service charge becomes illegal?

Such fiascos are not restricted to taxes. The Immigration Department and the Home Ministry keep changing their rules with little or no consultation.

Overnight, rent-seekers masquerading as clearing houses and one-stop-centres are created leaving employers of foreign workers in a bind.

Many government departments have adopted the philosophy of “you do what we tell you to do” without considering how such moves will affect its citizens. They have adopted the outdated and obsolete motto of “the government knows best”.

Finally, two questions for our readers to consider: Do we need the PM’s scorn to jolt his ministers into action? Can we also agree with the mufti that people with less intelligence are occupying seats of importance?

R. Nadeswaran has seen enough ministers and deputies putting their feet in their own mouths. Comments: [email protected]