At taxpayers’ expense

Since becoming an MP, you could tell he was more affluent. He changed his car and his wife started going on holidays to tropical islands. He has a large blue BMW and his wife drives a top-of-the range 4X4 BMW. The house was gutted by builders and completely done inside.
He hired the best and most expensive builders in the area.” – Neighbours of an MP who claimed that he had also carried out renovations to his house to the tune of RM650,000.

At taxpayers’ expense rakyat? Haven’t we heard of politicians and their wives who go for facelifts and try to look whiter than white when their hearts and minds are blacker than black? And the holidays to tropical islands? No, many of our Datins head to Singapore and then fly to Paris and London to shop. Holidays are accompanying their spouses on lawatan sambil belajar. If such a report had appeared in the Malaysian media, it would not have raised an eyebrow and it would have been pooh-poohed by the powers-that-be who would have declared:
Sekarang dia buat bisnes. Tak kan Adun tak boleh buat bisnes!”

This brings us back home and to reality. It is not in the least suggested that any of our MPs are at it, but in the absence of a public declaration of how funds are used; the rakyat SOUNDS familiar? Don’t we hear of this kind of extravagance all the time? Have we not heard of cikgu and can only let their imagination run wild. The manner in which former Selangor assemblymen spent their annual allocation of RM500,000 within three months has led to speculation and accusations that there was misuse and abuse. Instead of addressing the issue, those involved have chosen to remain silent, leaving the former mentri besar to explain. The case of the expenditure of former Teratai assemblyman Yap Soo Sun is an example. He spent RM494,350 in 44 days. His successor, Jenice Lee, has publicly stated that she suspects foul play and was quoted as saying that RM275,000 went to a small company, with links to a politician. The company has diverse businesses, including construction, catering, cleaning, waste disposal, distribution of stationery, clothes and office equipment. Further investigations revealed that its registered business address is a house in Kampung Baru, Cheras.

So, what’s next? A report has been lodged with the Anti-Corruption Agency, but will anything come out of it? While the law takes its course, what about the party and moral stand it wants to take? Keeping quiet gives the impression that it condones such behaviour or conduct. Are we going to see a repeat of the late Dato' Zakaria Mat Deros, who despite breaking the law, was protected by party leaders who declared:
He is a good leader. We need his services.”
The consequences of such a stance were seen on March 8.
Hasn’t anyone learnt anything yet in 100 days?

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Although he is in Zurich, R. Nadeswaran’s heart still is on what’s happening at home. He investigative reporting.
Feedback: citizen-nades@thesundaily.com.