Crushing An Ant While White Elephant Runs Wild

The country's Cabinet seems to have terribly misplaced priorities. Instead of having an urgent meeting or meetings to discuss the RM 4.6 billion PKFZ fiasco which many are worried will be a gigantic white elephant requiring a government bailout, the cabinet instead had spent an inordinate amount of time discussing about the 6-minute rap video produced by a Malaysian student studying in Taiwan.

Those who have watched the video would recognise that Wee Meng Chee has spent a lot of time and effort to put together the video and has demonstrated his artistic talents and creativity in doing so. Although his choice of words, which may be vulgar sometimes, and the use of the national anthem and flag may not be proper, the video has succinctly capture the sentiments of a Malaysian youth like Wee. This is a mark of good art and this is the reason why the video is so popular as other Malaysians can identify with it.

Responsible leaders of a country should be asking why he has made this video and probe deeper into the message it carries. Are there truths depicted in the video which they should address? Is it the unfairness in education system which has caused the dissatisfactions in youths like Wee? Is it the corruption culture which has become so ingrained in our society that has caused the despair? Are there inefficiencies and poor attitute in the civil service which has caused frustration to people who have to deal with it?

Granted the video may have offended the sensibilities of some but for this Wee has already made a public apology to the government and Malaysians. Although some politicians in the BN have openly stated that his apology should be accepted, it seems like the cabinet has decided to pursue the matter and may take further action. Mohd Nazri stated that Wee "can be charged under the Sedition Act", that "we must allow the attorney-general to investigate and decide whether to take him to court," and will even consider extraditing Wee if he does not come back to Malaysia! Rais Yatim also wants the issue to be investigated to see whether the National Anthem Act has been violated.

Where were these righteous ministers when more blatant racial remarks and threatening gestures were made by other top UMNO politicians? Why were they so silent then? More recently, the ex-Mentri Besar of Selangor and UMNO Information Chief has also made remarks which can be considered seditious resulting in a police report been made against him by members of a NGO. Are these ministers going to "allow the attorney-general to investigate and decide whether to take him to court” in this case?

Instead of focussing on crushing and destroying the future of the young student, Wee, shouldn't the government be concentrating on the white elephant which the RM 4.6 billion PKFZ is in danger of becoming? This scandal has many dubious transactions some of which must be investigated by the police, ACA and the AG and the culprits brought to book. Malaysians have been waiting for an explanation and action but patience is wearing thin. Numerous reports on PKFZ have already appeared in the online media a few months earlier, police reports have been made by an Opposition member as early as 2004 and the mainstream print media has highlighted the story a week ago. However, we still do not have any answers from the country's leaders.

In response to the headline news "Disaster Zone" , the PM said that he wants the Transport Minister to report to him on this. On 15 Aug 2007, when queried by reporters the Transport Minister said a report has already been submitted to the PM. Now can we expect some answers soon?

If the government persists in its persecution of the young Malaysian student it will only reinforce the perception of an uncaring government insensitive to the problems facing its youths and people.

If the government maintains its deafening silence on the PKFZ affair, it will only confirm the suspicions that there will be a coverup of serious inproprieties and a major bailout using taxpayers money. Any talk of transparency, accountability and fight against corruption by the government will sound very hollow indeed.