RECENTLY, the managing director of Edelman Malaysia, Robert Kay, released the 2017 Elderman Trust Barometer.
Based on the report, Malaysia’s trust index which stood at a neutral level of 51 per cent in 2016, dropped to a non-credible level of 48 per cent – behind India, Indonesia, Singapore, China and even United Arab Emirates.
The news, was, indeed, bitter.
Citizens often talk about not believing in their government but, the result of the report, concluded from a wide-ranging survey, is not only something we simply hear or ‘feel’ as it consists of facts drawn and published based on various research and data analysis. The repercussion can be big, affecting not only our image internationally but also the sway of the voters.
The Elderman Trust Barometer, which is an investigative report, probes the people’s confidence in the government as well as in the media, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and the business community, and according to the report, confidence in all these quarters is declining!
Politics is important to ensure the survival of nations, both developed and developing. If politics is not properly managed, the resultant damage will be extensive, seeping right into the roots. Even if a country establishes a horde of institutions and systems in sectors such as finance, law, administration, law enforcement and such like, once politics has a hand – or worse, a firm grip – in the system, damage will be the inevitable consequence. If there are no checks and controls in place, the damage caused will only worsen and abuse of power and corruption reign.
Standing above millions of people are administrative leaders with the power to amend the law and undermine the system in order to eliminate their opponents and achieve their political ambitions. Such cases are not unheard of. Thus, it is important for politicians to not only be seen as having ethics but more importantly, also be seen as practising and upholding such ethics.
The cardinal moral values passed down the generations by Chinese ancestors are honesty and trust. Whether related to life or business, honesty and trust must be taken seriously. These virtues are even more indispensable to politicians. But our leaders have apparently been flip-flopping on their promises – 2020 Vision becomes 2050 re-Vision, non-hike in petrol prices becomes nonsubsidy of petrol prices and funds promised for distribution become a non-allocation. There are so many other examples.
What is even more annoying is when some politicians practise double standards. Bit by bit, their true colours are revealed. How does this affect the people’s opinion of them? Not flatteringly, to be sure.
On the other hand, those wearing ‘white hats’ are not given to spewing untruths. Just like most of us, they believe in their gods and do not care about yours. It was so yesterday, the same today and true even tomorrow. They hold firmly to their opinions of people and things and are not prone to vacillating.
During the Selangor Mentri Besar crisis when even friendly parties said Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim was involved in abuse of power and public funds, PAS, after accepted Khalid’s explanation after interviewing him and decided that there was insufficient evidence to prove the charges, thus, Khalid could not be said to be wrong. Similarly, they also believe Lim Guan Eng is not guilty because there is no evidence to show otherwise.
On similar issues, their standard has always been the same. The integrity – or rigidity, if you like – of the white hats on such issues should not be taken lightly nor ridiculed because it is patently no joke! (From Oriental Daily)