Elections are supposed to be the avenue for the public to exercise their democratic right.
Catchphrases such as “every vote counts” or “you can make a difference” are drummed up to such a crescendo that you start to believe that power lies in the hands of the common man. Sadly, it is no more than a figment of imagination, shoved down the throats of the voting public.
The truth is, what you ask for is not what you get. The politicians have seen to this.
In every election, you vote for the person you believe is best for the job or for the party of your choice on whose ticket he or she stands.
You see in the candidate and party the cure for all types of “illnesses”.
You see your future in them. You put your hope and trust in them because you think you have found the solution for that better tomorrow. Their manifestos and promises supposedly seal the deal.
But when the dust settles, you wake up to reality. It was no more than a pipe dream because the very people you put your hopes and trust in betray this divine trust by frogging over to the other side.
Let’s face it: in most cases they do so for personal gain under the disguise of acting in “the interest of their voters”. But this is merely a weak attempt at justifying their move.
Unfortunately, such opportunists have now found new ways and means of achieving their objectives via clever use of the courts.
You no longer need to go back to the state assembly to decide who should or shouldn’t be the chief minister or menteri besar. Just get signed affidavits to state your support for the chief minister of your choice. Not your voters’ choice. Just your choice. And you are now set for the rewards that are coming your way.
Some politicians have obviously forgotten what morals and principles are. These politicians compromise on values which we assiduously try to instil in our children and the future generation.
Forgoing values is one thing, but if there was even a single bone of decency left in these kinds of politicians, they would honour what their voters wanted.
Voters who spoke up. Voters who made a choice. Voters who decided who should serve them and which party would best serve their interest.
Not the politicians.
Clement Stanley is an FMT reader.
The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.