As the campaigning for Malaysia’s general election heats up, certain politicians appear to be suddenly conjuring new tricks.
Like a magician pulling rabbits out of a hat, candidates are pulling out promises of handouts out of thin air, as the parties try to outdo each other.
One coalition has promised RM500 cash for every newlywed and RM200 for every woman giving birth to her first child.
Another coalition is offering every household an income of not less than RM2,208. If a family’s total income falls below this figure, the shortfall will automatically be credited to the family’s bank account.
More rabbits will come out of the hat in the days ahead, as charity seems to be the keyword ahead of the general election.
Why are these politicians reducing voters to beggars?
What is the proper role and responsibility of a political party that wishes to form the government? Is it to be seen to be giving handouts and thus to be perceived as ‘charitable’?
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Shouldn’t the contest be more about leadership, integrity and competency to govern the nation?
Will the ‘beggars’ fall for the rich person’s tricks?
What we should ask is, where is all this money supposed to be coming from?
Why do some candidates have to pull these rabbits out of the hat only now, when in all these past decades, the nation’s wealth has barely reached so many people?
Do the people really need charity at this time? Or do they need good governance with a concrete plan to plug corruption and give the nation a fresh start?
It is time to demonstrate our political maturity and our more vibrant decision-making abilities at the ballot box. Only then can we talk, hope and work towards rebuilding a resilient and progressive nation that can bring prosperity and relief to all the people.
Or will the people instead fall for the rabbits that are being pulled out of the hat?
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
