Winning the GE, but at what cost?
The ramblings of the Selangor State Minister, Khir Toyo, have never really made much sense in the past, but he does seem to have outdone himself a few days back. First, he says that politicians mixed up with scandals cannot be candidates for the GE. He then goes on to say that any Tom, Dick and Harry who can deliver a win will be fielded as a candidate for the GE regardless of their scandals. I don’t know what he’s been doing lately, but he sure as heck hasn’t been listening to himself speak.
Quoted from “Be honest, politicians told”, The Star Online (January 15, 2008):
Politicians saddled with debts or mixed up in immoral activities should not even think of offering themselves as candidates for the next general election.
Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo said individuals deep in debt or those who have dodged income tax should not offer themselves as candidates as their representation would be a liability to the Barisan Nasional.
Quoted from “You’re in if you can win”, The New Straits Times Online (January 15, 2008):
Dr Khir, the menteri besar and state BN chairman, said fielding candidates who could deliver seats was priority. Whether they were perceived to be corrupt, scandalous or having disciplinary problems, they could be “forgiven” as long as they had a strong base in their area and could win the seat.
If they passed the screening by the Anti-Corruption Agency, their names can be in his list.
“When the election comes, the most important thing is the seat. After that, the system can take care (of itself) and we move on. My judgment is easy,” said Dr Khir, 42, who himself is not free from controversies since taking charge in 2000.
While first statement isn’t much cause for concern (It’s fair, IMHO), I’m quite sure the second one is. Apparently being involved with corruption, abuse of power, breaking the law and generally being an asshole doesn’t disqualify one from being a potential Member of Parliament these days. I wonder what else a potential candidate could do which would disqualify him/her, short of arson, or maybe blowing up someone with C4. The so-called screening by the Anti-Corruption Agency would probably be the least of anyone’s worries, what with the agency’s operative term being NFA (No Further Action a.k.a. He’s-already-paid-us-off-with-his-side-income-so-all’s-good).
This “winning at all costs” mentality is stinks of arrogance and extreme short sightedness, to say the least. A country’s leaders are supposed to be the cream of the crop, the “best of the best of the best, SIR!” kinda people. Letting lowlife with dubious backgrounds run the country is just a recipe for national disaster. Leaving the “system to take care of itself” is unmitigated bullshit from a man who ought to know better but doesn’t, being as he is, a product of the so-called system itself.
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