I AM a second generation local born and bred Malaysian of Chinese descent. I am in my mid-40s with a young family. I am also one of the silent masses who has enjoyed, supported and fully appreciated the efforts of all past and present community leaders, including elected officials and self-appointed champions of social and political causes, in the building of our wonderful country.

Recent events, beginning with the crash of the ringgit and the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange to the public announcement of former Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's false accusation of arsenic poisoning by the authorities, have given notice to the world of our struggles and the growing pains of a multiracial society.

For the first time, the world media is highlighting the nation's struggle. Sadly, the very system that has worked wonders for our nation since independence is being portrayed as corrupted and unjust.

The administration that has endured and succeeded in overcoming countless conflicts and monumental obstacles is branded as a band of crooks supported by their cronies to enrich themselves. And we, members of the public, are being portrayed either as ignorant Third World simpletons who are unable to distinguish between black and white or as brave and heroic angry protesters who have been subjected to untold misery and injustice, ready for guidance and help from the enlightened liberal democrats and every other self-righteous organisation in the world, as long as they are from the developed countries.

It is a sad state of affairs. And it is time that we stood up and be counted.

Let us first examine the protagonist of this sordid episode. Anwar woke up one morning and decided he had a calling to expose the corrupted practices of his colleagues and be the true champion of the new Malaysia; the sad part is that the calling only came after he had been exposed and accused as a major hypocrite.

Still, we gave him the benefit of doubt, as God works in mysterious ways. So the pertinent question should be how could he prove his new direction is not a ploy to divert attention?

Easy, give us name, time, place and documents to substantiate his claims of corruption in high places. Being the last Finance Minister before the crash, when our economy was at its height, he should have no problem in detecting corrupt practices when the market was bursting with cash and mega projects were all channelled through his ministry.

Up till now, which is about 400 days since his arrest, nothing that resembles a serious effort has been shown in supplying the public with specifics.

Maybe he has taken on the world media's mantle of viewing Malaysians as ignorant Third World audience who could be easily manipulated and dismissed.

My guess is that Anwar is concealing facts, as his fingerprints are likely to be found all over the place.

Any disclosure would likely add to his sizeable bag of sins. Please prove me wrong. On another front, he has shown himself to be ruthless when it comes to advancing his objectives.

To defend his position as a politician, the peace and harmony that all Malaysians have worked hard for is sacrificed. National unity is only good if he is in power or the country can go to the dogs and it would not have bothered him.

With him being touted as the only solution to the corrupted and unjust Malaysia by the Alternative Front, the Opposition parties have in reality laid their eggs by the serpent's pit hoping for protection. It is indeed a grave situation.

I am not saying we don't have corruption or injustice in our system. On the contrary, I do believe the problems are real and need remedy. I just do not see any merit in the Alternative Front's combative stance, subterfuges and cheap shots at the administration.

The Opposition parties have shown us they have no management capacity in running a campaign (much less a country) without tripping over their avowed objectives.

They easily succumb to temptation and greed. No effort had been made to prepare a shadow cabinet to oversee the ruling parties' actions and policies.

No career politician to serve the public. The Opposition parties expect the public to accept a mindless youngster, whose only claim to fame came from a pathetic display of copied bravado in front of a Federal Reserve Unit truck, as a national leader.

Please spare us the insults.
 

Wong Kaseng
Kajang