Why there will be no real CHANGE in 2012 or 2013 or ...

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Everyone seems to be clamouring for change. Every other on-line portal, every other blog you read say “change” is inevitable. 2012 will be the year of change, they say (although some have been saying this for years). The state/ country/ world will be a better place, they say, if change was to happen.

BUT what is exactly the CHANGE people are looking for? Change of the government? Change of the Prime Minister? Change of the mindset? Change of cultures? Changes in governance? Changes in the way we change?

[digressing : To folks at Pakatan and their supporters, change could mean booting out BN so that they can take control of the government. To Anwar, change could mean kicking Najib out so that he can become PM. To many folks in UMNO, change could mean getting rid of the old foggies so that they get a chance of moving up the ladder. To BN in Penang, change could mean throwing out Guan Eng so that UMNO is in charge again. Change in Gerakan could mean kicking out Tsu Koon so that some other fella get a chance of being the head-honcho and getting a ministerial position. The demand for change must always be taken with a pinch of salt].

Let’s get back on track.

Monyet King says Malaysians (and the citizens of every country) deserve the government they get. Politicians and their behaviours are usually a reflection of the society. Whether it is the Federal government or state governments, people deserve the leaders they get. Leaders, after all, are a reflection of the people they “lead”. [p.s. before you ask, let me tell you that a nation of cowards will get a dictator as their leader]

Corruption
If Malaysians want their leaders to be free of corruption, then all Malaysians should abhor corruption. Unfortunately that is not what is happening. Many people seem to have this notion that it is corruption only if government officers or some bigshot politician does it, not when they themselves practice bribery. The man in the street is not averse to giving RM50 to the cops to look the other side, he is not averse to giving RM 500 to the sales rep in the developer’s office to clinch that corner lot, he is not averse to giving RM 200 to his driving school instructor to “secure” his driving licence, he is not averse to giving RM 200 his car salesmen to “jump queue” when taking delivery of his car.

Everyone expects the other side to change. They themselves would not change a bit. But if you want uncorrupted leaders, you have to be clean yourself. Leaders, after all, are a reflection of the people they “lead” (and vice-versa).

 

Honesty

If Malaysians want their leaders to be honest, then all Malaysians should also be honest. Unfortunately that is not what is happening. Malaysians are nonchalant about buying pirated DVDs. Isn’t this tantamount to stealing? Malaysians are nonchalant about using pirated software. Isn’t this stealing? Malaysians are not concerned about illegally photocopying books. Isn’t this tantamount to stealing? The only difference between these people and the bigshot politician who swindled millions is the quantum of theft. Both are thieves.

Employees who do their personal stuff at their company’s expense are being dishonest. People who cheat on their taxes are dishonest. Everyone expects the other side to change. They themselves would not change a bit. But if you want honest leaders, you have to be honest yourself. Leaders, after all, are a reflection of the people they “lead” (and vice-versa).

Civility
If Malaysians want their leaders to be civil, then all Malaysians should also be civil. Unfortunately that is not what is happening. A lot of Malaysians have got no qualms about jumping queues. A lot of Malaysians have got no qualms about littering. A lot of Malaysians have got no qualms about stuffing themselves silly at open house buffets. A lot of Malaysians have got no qualms about double parking and blocking others. A lot of Malaysians have got no qualms about letting their dogs poo in the streets. A lot of Malaysians have got no qualms about posting half-truths and unverified stuff on the Facebook. A lot of Malaysians have got no qualms about be a nuisance to their neighbours.

Everyone expects the other side to change. They themselves would not change a bit. But if you want your leaders to be civil, you have to be civil yourself. Leaders, after all, are a reflection of the people they “lead” (and vice-versa).

Respect
If Malaysians want their leaders to respect and be sensitive to our multicultural society, then all Malaysians should respect and be sensitive to our diversity. Unfortunately that is not what is happening. There are Chinese in this country whose hobby is putting down the Malays. There are Malays in this country whose hobby is insulting the Dusuns. There are Indians in this country whose hobby is poking fun of the Punjabis. There are Christians in this country whose hobby is insulting the Muslims. There are Hindus in this country whose hobby is slighting the Christians. You don’t have to go far. Just reads the many blogs and online news portal – you will realise how insensitive and irresponsible many Malaysians are.

Everyone expects the other side to change. They themselves would not change a bit. But if you want your leaders to respect and be sensitive to our multicultural society, you have to do the same. Leaders, after all, are a reflection of the people they “lead”.

See folks, WE MUST BECOME THE CHANGE THAT WE SEEK. Change of governments won’t make the country better. Change of the Prime Minister won’t make the country better. Changing the Chief Minister of Penang or the MB of Kelantan won’t make the states better. Changing the head of PERKASA won’t make the country better.

Real change will only happen when Malaysians themselves change.

Monyet King also says
1.I am looking for some loose change :)

2. Recyle hazard. I have posted this piece before on this blog.