PAYING FOR THE SINS OF OTHERS

Ending the year 2009 in a about 10 minutes, I decided to choose a different angle to reflect on the past 365 days. It has become common these days for the government and us as individuals to be paying for the sins of others. I have limited them to three areas with one tale each so as to maintain the length of this article.

POLITICS

I was known as Mr Clean, but thank you for being Mr Clean-Up-After -Me. Here’s the mess I’ve made.

Prime Minister Najib Razak took his oath of office on 3rd April 2009 from a man who managed to create history twice by winning with the best ever result for BN in the General Elections (because of the solid foundation set by Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamed and his unselfish decision to retire) and inversely in the next General Elections garnered the worst winning margin in the history of the Governing Coalition (because of his dismantling and destructive nature towards the solid foundation set forth by his predecessor).

As mentioned in the previous article on the chap, he tried to create his own legacy, spent millions on Islam Hadhari which didn’t make much difference to those who already knew the religion, influenced the release of a very dangerous politician from jail, had his son-in-law act as the dispatch boy for the Immigration Dept sending his passport, allowing the ex-convict to seek treatment abroad that could be done here just to be popular, had his advisors further promote him at the expense of the ruling coalition party and UMNO while overturning important national projects to create his own less important ones and making countless policies which proved detrimental to the wellbeing of national harmony. The ruling party lost 5 States plus Kuala Lumpur as the result.

Within months after taking his oath of office, and idle threats of overthrowing the federal government by his much reduced nemesis, Najib showed Anwar how exactly to do it and walked his talk by accepting the support of several opposition lawmakers in the State of Perak giving back the State leadership to Barisan Nasional (BN).

Though Najib and his administration have made positive strides in rebuilding the confidence of the people for the party, BN is still paying for the sins of its former leader having to work triple-time to win back lost grounds.

ECONOMICS/ CORRUPTION

Buys Everything But The Angel Of Death.

The Port Klang Free Trade Zone scandal that shook the nation proved to be a major quake for MCA. Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd Chief Executive Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing’s revelation of the Million Ringgit payments made and free jet rides given to the MCA President had rocked the whole party witnessing political allies all going for themselves like vultures splitting the party into several splinters. This project which was allegedly over-valued by several folds perhaps due to a loose agreement involving numerous important personalities will naturally cost the public more than it’s worth. This humiliating demerit of a Party that strives with and advocates the merit system and anti-corruption has reduced their noble and upstanding stature in the eyes of the public on the principles of the Chinese community of which they widely represent. Unfortunately, the whole community pays for the sins of their leaders.

LOVE

DEFICIT IN LOVE IN A “ONE IN A TEN MILLION“ DEAL

In reference to the song “One in a Million You” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHpnHih52gY by Larry Graham, a friend of mine looked upon the woman he was courting as “One in a Ten Million” while the fine lady referred to her love for him as “ten times more (than his) to the power of infinity”. In his happiness loving the woman of his dreams, he forgot to take stock of his net value. It was a dream of dreams and like all dreams it had to end. From a celebrated wannabe Prince he says, he now feels no more fortunate than a condemned Peasant. “There is nothing left to the name, when the Soul is lost, “he continued. He learnt it the hard way recently. To him, the love of his life, was like the Oasis in his desert dream but later discovered rudely that it was just an optical illusion. “Even sand looks good to drink now…whatever it takes to transfer the pain away from the heart”, he quipped. It’s funny how a broken heart can turn a person into an instant philosopher.

He allowed himself to be intrigued, got drawn in by her fine personality and intelligence (of extremely rare commodity) and innocently fell in love. It was never done, and he never pursued such endeavors before. Of course those saboteurs and opportunists with vested interest who couldn’t stand to see their affection for one another used all sorts of mechanics to beat them down, from slandering him in vain, accusing him of making a wager on her amongst his friends, to impersonating his family member on the phone to warn her of his past. They got to her eventually and naturally, my good friend lost the very one thing that inspired him the most without even given a chance to explain. But the truth of the matter is, he might have overvalued his net worth which perhaps was not enough to permanently win and protect the heart of the one he loved. After all, she was a “One in a Ten Million “ chance of a lifetime. Promises were made and trivially broken. A “sucker” is born every minute they say. I never thought my buddy could remain such, way past his 30th birthday! But I’m sure by now, he is the wiser. Can we blame the men for turning into nasty rogues owning the town after pouring their souls out only to be ultimately staked right in the centre of their hearts? My friend made me promise to post this Sicilian Song from The Godfather, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNXX2iGRlpc&NR=1 as a condition allowing me to relate his story in here. May God spare everyone the pain not unlike the one endured by Michael Corleone (in the clip) and him.

My good friend was yet another fine and true gentleman to the very end, who had to pay for the sins of others and the perception that came with them. He must remember from now that with " fortune and women, it is the bold rather than the cautious man that will win and hold them both." I pray that he may heal rapidly to face the challenges of the New Year.

Happy New Year Ladies & Gentlemen. May 2010 Bring Good Health, Honest Love, More Accountability, Much Prosperity And Goodwill Among The Citizens Of This Great Country!