Trust me, trust me not
We tend to take the politician's word with more than a pinch of salt, for good reason.
When they want your vote, they court you with promises that, we have a sneaky suspicion, they can't ever keep or have no intention at all to fulfil.
It is easy to shout slogans and make accusations of incompetence, even malice, when one is in the opposition. We applaud them but we also know they are not in a position to make good their promises or prove their allegations, however serious they may be.
They play to the gallery because the people want someone to keep whatever issue that is current and hot in the public eye lest it be quietly filed away in some cabinet and quickly forgotten.
Teoh Beng Hock's family waited more than 15 years, hanging on to hopes that those YBs who had said so much about him and his untimely death under suspicious circumstances would help them get the justice they deserve.
But 15 years is a long time, and in the intervening years, the very same YBs have seen their status change.
From merely shouting slogans and hurling accusations, these very same people have suddenly found themselves in a position to act on what they previously said should be done.
But the silence now is deafening. Not a word from these YBs since the last — perhaps the final — word on Teoh's case. NFA, or no further action.
The challenge to all DAP ministers, those very same people who had been most vocal in the Teoh saga, to resign their positions in the current government to take responsibility for their failure has been met with … again … silence.
But let us not even fake surprise or shock at their change of heart. The mark of a good politician is in his ability to make good his promises when he finds himself in a position to honour those pledges.
Few, if any, have made that mark.
The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Free Malaysia Today
42 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Colombian presidential candidate shot and wounded
Colombia's President Gustavo Petro said the attack was also one against 'democracy, freedom of thought, and the legitimate exercise of politics'. (AP pic) BOGOTA : A Colombian right-wing opposition senator and candidate to next year's presidential election was in intensive care Saturday after being shot during a campaign event in Bogota, authorities said. A video circulating on social media shows 39-year-old Miguel Uribe giving a speech in front of several people when gunshots suddenly ring out. In other images he appears slumped against the hood of a white car, smeared with blood, as a group of men try to hold him up. Media reported the suspected shooter was a teenager who had been arrested. Attorney general Luz Adriana Camargo told Caracol Radio that Uribe was in 'intensive care'. Local media reported that at least one bullet struck the senator in the neck or head. The government of leftist president Gustavo Petro said it 'categorically and forcefully' condemned the attack on Uribe during the campaign event in the west of the capital. 'This act of violence is an attack not only against his person, but also against democracy, freedom of thought, and the legitimate exercise of politics in Colombia,' the presidency said in the statement. Uribe, a strong critic of Petro, is a member of the Democratic Center party, who announced last October his intention to run in the 2026 presidential election. His party said in a statement Saturday that an 'armed individual' had shot the senator from behind. The attack 'not only endangers the life of a political leader, but also threatens democracy and freedom in Colombia,' it said. The party leader, Colombia's influential former president Alvaro Uribe, meanwhile described the shooting as an attack against 'a hope for the country'. Bogota mayor Carlos Galan said on X that 'the shooter has been captured'. Local media reported that a 15-year-old boy had been arrested and was suspected of pulling the trigger. Attorney General Camargo said she had seen those reports but that the information had yet to be verified. Miguel Uribe is a member of a family with a long political tradition in Colombia. One of his grandfathers was former Colombia president Julio Cesar Turbay, who led the country from 1978 to 1982. And his mother, Diana Turbay, was a renowned journalist who was kidnapped by the Medellin Cartel, led by the notorious drug lord Pablo Escobar, and who was killed in a failed military rescue operation in 1991. Uribe himself has been a senator since 2022. He previously served as Bogota's government secretary and city councilor. He also ran for city mayor in 2019, but lost that election. Defense minister Pedro Sanchez said on X that authorities were offering a reward of around US$700,000 for information leading to the capture of those behind Saturday's attack.
Free Malaysia Today
44 minutes ago
- Free Malaysia Today
State govts get almost RM800mil in loans for water supply projects
Deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said 28 projects are being implemented to address dry weather and drought. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The federal government has allocated RM796.4 million in loans to state governments this year to finance water supply projects. Deputy prime minister Fadillah Yusof said these projects are among the government's initiatives to tackle the southwest monsoon, which is expected to bring dry weather and drought, reported Bernama. Fadillah, who is also the energy transition and water transformation minister, said 28 projects were being implemented under this initiative as of May. Twelve projects are being carried out in Sabah, five in Sarawak, three each in Pahang and Terengganu, two each in Kedah and Perlis, and one in Kelantan. 'These projects are at various stages of implementation and seven are expected to be completed this year,' he told reporters after attending an Aidiladha sacrificial event at Kampung Tupong Jaya in Kuching, Sarawak, today. Fadillah said his ministry is now focusing on addressing the issue of non-revenue water (NRW), which results from factors such as system inefficiencies, pipe leakages, and water theft. 'When pipe connections are poor, leakages occur, and there are also old pipes that are damaged. Overall, we estimate the country is losing about 40% of its treated water to NRW. We process the water, but 40% of it is lost. This incurs high costs. 'Therefore, our current focus is to find the best method to reassess the piping system and replace damaged pipes.'
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
Social protection programmes key to poverty reduction — Suhaiza Hanim Mohamad Zailani
JUNE 8 — Malaysia has stepped up efforts to reduce poverty in recent years through targeted social protection programmes, particularly those aimed at the B40 income category. However, the effectiveness and breadth of these programmes are called into question since growing living expenses continue to strain all income levels, including M40. The B40 in Malaysia's social protection environment Targeted assistance for the Bottom 40 per cent (B40) income group is the central tenet of Malaysia's approach to reducing poverty. Programmes like Bantuan Sara Hidup (BSH), Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat (BPR), and the more recent measures unveiled in Budget 2025 aim to help low-income households cope with the rising cost of living. These initiatives provide needy families short-term financial relief through subsidies, housing assistance, and cash help. Malaysia has stepped up efforts to reduce poverty in recent years through targeted social protection programmes, particularly those aimed at the B40 income category. However, the effectiveness and breadth of these programmes are called into question since growing living expenses continue to strain all income levels, including M40. — Bernama pic The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) statistics, however, show that although these programmes provide short-term respite, they cannot significantly improve families' long-term economic standing. A recent report from the DOSM states that the average income of B40 has increased by only 1.5 per cent per year, which is not enough to keep up with inflation. Many people still have limited purchasing power as a result, particularly given the sharp increase in the price of food and housing. As such, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has underlined the government's will to address these problems, promising to lower costs and increase accessibility to necessities to ease financial burdens. Critics contend that monetary distributions could not alleviate underlying economic inequities despite these guarantees. 'Malaysia's B40 will continue to face an uphill struggle against poverty without structural reforms in education, employment, and wage policies,' one economist noted. Global social protection models: Achievements and insights for Malaysia Various social protection regimes worldwide have successfully reduced poverty, particularly when multifaceted and sustainable approaches are used. One programme generally commended for decreasing severe poverty is Brazil's Bolsa Família, which goes beyond cash transfers by requiring families to comply with health and education standards. This strategy has broken the cycle of intergenerational poverty, which has had a profoundly positive effect. Another practical example is the Basic Livelihood Security Programme (BLSP) in South Korea, which combines financial help with housing assistance, skill development, and job support. By linking financial aid to social services and job training, the BLSP has decreased poverty rates and enhanced recipients' capacity to find steady work, encouraging long-term independence. South Korea's strategy emphasises the necessity of a comprehensive social safety net that fosters employment and skill development. Similarly, the European Union's 'Active Inclusion' approach supports beneficiaries by combining labour market reforms with social protection, offering financial assistance and work placements. Malaysian approach gaps: Going beyond financial aid Though Malaysia's B40 initiatives offer much-needed financial assistance, they don't have the same cohesive structure as nations like Brazil and South Korea. Due to the lack of a multifaceted strategy, B40 beneficiaries' ability to achieve economic independence is restricted. According to a local economist, 'Despite its usefulness, monetary aid frequently results in dependency if employment-based and educational initiatives do not accompany it.' In addition to providing help, we must empower beneficiaries. The main drawback is that Malaysia's social security system primarily uses short-term financial assistance to combat poverty rather than focusing on long-term empowerment initiatives. On the other hand, effective schemes, such as the BLSP in South Korea, strongly emphasise developing human capital, providing work opportunities and skill training to recipients as part of their social benefits. Another gap is the availability of affordable housing. Although Malaysian authorities have started projects to provide inexpensive housing, they are frequently focused in metropolitan areas where demand outpaces supply, underserving rural and peri-urban locations. Future directions for Malaysia: Establishing a comprehensive social safety system Motivated by South Korea's BLSP and Brazil's Bolsa Família, Malaysia might benefit from implementing a more all-encompassing strategy that incorporates job assistance and skill development to improve the efficacy of social security. Working with social services and career development programmes might pave the way for the B40 to become resilient and financially independent. Furthermore, prioritising accessible education and universal healthcare will guarantee that fundamental necessities are satisfied, lessening the financial burden on low-income households. These steps would align with international best practices, calling governments to establish safety nets that do more than alleviate acute misery. Finally, increasing social protection in underprivileged regions might improve living conditions for low-income people in rural and urban areas, addressing regional disparity concerns. When Malaysia prepares for Budget 2025, adding these components might turn the B40 support system into a cornerstone for long-term, sustainable poverty alleviation. In conclusion: Using holistic reform to close the gap A move towards a more integrated strategy might enhance results for the B40 and beyond as Malaysia's social protection programmes continue to develop. As demonstrated by international examples, providing routes to education, work, and self-sufficiency is necessary to reduce poverty effectively. If these all-inclusive models are emulated, all Malaysians might gain from the country's progress, which could help Malaysia close the gap in economic inequality. * The author is the Director of the Ungku Aziz Centre for Development Studies, Universiti Malaya. She may be reached at [email protected]. ** This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail.
