Politicians are the same all over. They promise to build bridges even when there are no rivers.
– Nikita Khrushchev, Soviet premier from 1958 to 1964
I was quite amused by a video clip which I received in my WhatsApp group a few days ago about a Kenyan lawyer and activist Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba lambasting politicians in his country who abandon their promises like discarded husks after the harvest.
Excerpts of his remarks are reproduced below:
“You know, sometimes and many are those times when I read the story in the Bible and I read about Jesus of Nazareth, I wrap my mind about his humility. And I hear him many times saying that he did not come to be served but he came to serve. Then I look at my leaders, who when they are seeking to serve us, they seek our support, personifying their humility.
“They kiss babies, they drink from dirty cups, they walk on foot, they smile with us, they take photos with everybody. They discard their security, their humility personifies… they speak the language that we want to hear.
“They do the things that they think we want to see them do…they delude us, they cheat us and somehow we accept that they are leaders. But the moment they get what they want, oh, they do just the opposite. If they were Paul they go back to being Saul, and we can no longer recognise them.
“When you ring them, their phones are picked by somebody called their PA whose only claim to fame is he is rude beyond measure.
“When you go to their (elected reps’) offices, they no longer want to see you.
“When they are driving in the streets, their sirens scare you…I thought the siren is meant to be used for good purposes…but for them it is a badge of honour and they harass us in the streets.
“They acquire things which they have not worked for; they promise us things that they know they will never deliver; they want to be described as honourable even when they are horrible.
“These are the men that we have…”
In politics, promises are the solemn vows that politicians make to their constituents, pledges that reverberate through crowded campaign rallies and permeate social media.
Yet, far too often, these promises go unfulfilled, dissipating into the void of broken expectations once the ballots are cast and the seats of power occupied.
Lumumba articulated the frustration felt by many of us. His words resonate not only across Africa but across continents, striking a chord with those who have witnessed the erosion of accountability in the corridors of power. Malaysia is no exception.
His analogy, drawing a parallel between the humility of Jesus of Nazareth and the pretentious modern politicians, is both piercing and incisive and paints a vivid picture of leaders who, in their pursuit of power, don the cloak of humility – kissing babies, drinking from humble cups, and walking among the common folk.
Yet, once they are in positions of authority, they shed their humility, revealing their true character.
In Malaysia, as in many democracies around the world, the disillusionment with politicians who fail to uphold their promises runs deep. Voters – including yours truly – weary of empty rhetoric and hollow gestures, crave for leaders with principles of integrity and accountability. But, all too often, we are met with indifference and disdain.
Politicians evading accountability is not unique to any particular political landscape. Whether in Africa, Bangladesh or Malaysia, the refrain is the same: promises made, promises broken! Malaysian politicians, like their counterparts elsewhere, court the electorate with sweet pledges and lofty aspirations, only to retreat into the shadows once elections are over.
It is a tale as old as politics itself. MPs and assemblymen, once the darlings of the electorate, metamorphose into distant figures, withdrawing behind the walls of privilege and impunity. Their promises become mere bargaining chips in the game of political expediency.
The plight of the voters who voted them into power falls on deaf ears as their elected representatives bask in the trappings of office. Phone calls go unanswered, messages go unheeded, and grievances go unaddressed!
The promise of accessibility and accountability – so fervently espoused during campaigns – disappears in the harsh light of reality.
In our country, tales of unfulfilled promises abound. Elected officials, buoyed by the fervour of electoral triumph, quickly succumb to the allure of privilege and entitlement. They become ensnared in the web of self-interest, forsaking the very constituents who placed their trust in them.
One good example I can think of is the case of Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, the venerable statesman who, in his second tenure as prime minister, found himself grappling with the complexities of governance after GE14 in 2018.
His admission that the Pakatan Harapan (PR) manifesto was not a binding contract but a mere guideline speaks volumes about political promises.
“Please remember manifesto is not a bible. It’s a guide. Sometimes we can do things, sometimes we find that we cannot. So we need to be practical-minded,” he said after the swearing in ceremony of MPs in Parliament and the appointment of former Court of Appeal judge Datuk Mohamad Ariff Md Yusof as the speaker, on July 16, 2018, prompting several quarters to question the decision.
PR had in its manifesto promised that the Dewan Rakyat Speaker would be appointed from among its MPs.
While Dr Mahathir’s pragmatism may have been borne out of necessity, it highlights a broader truth about the nature of politics: that promises are but fleeting echoes in the corridors of power.
Yet, even in the face of adversity, leaders have a moral obligation to uphold the sanctity of their commitments and honour the trust bestowed upon them by the voters.
Leaders who walk among the people, who listen to their concerns, and who remain steadfast in their commitment to serve are the true custodians of democracy. They should realise that the mandate to govern is a sacred trust that must be honoured, not betrayed.
In Sarawak, leaders like Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg and Head of State Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar embody the virtues of accessibility and accountability. They avoid the trappings of elitism, opting instead to engage directly with the people they serve.
Their actions speak volumes about the transformative power of leadership, reminding us that humility is the hallmark of true statesmanship.
The onus is not solely on politicians to uphold their promises, it is also on citizens to hold them to account. Democracy requires the active engagement of all members of society. The people who voted politicians into power must demand transparency, accountability, and integrity – refusing to settle for anything less than the fulfilment of their promises and obligations.
If these promises go unfulfilled, do not hesitate to give them the boot come GE16! Don’t feel guilty for showing them the door.
Remember, promises are not mere statements but solemn commitments that carry the weight of our collective aspirations. Let us hold our leaders to account, not with cynicism or apathy, but with the unwavering resolve of citizens who refuse to be silenced, sidelined or marginalised.
The true measure of a politician’s worth lies not in the promises he or she makes but in the promises kept. Let us demand nothing less than the fulfilment of those promises! The scourge of unfulfilled promises is a blight on Malaysian politics – a betrayal of the trust placed in our elected representatives. It is incumbent upon us, as voters, to demand better, to hold our leaders to account, and to ensure that the promises made on the campaign trail are not mere illusions but enduring commitments to the common good.
But more importantly, let’s do away with the ‘tidak apa (couldn’t-care-less)’ or ‘dia orang bangsa kita (our own kind)’ attitude. Only then can we truly claim to be the architects of our collective destiny, and the guardians of a future founded on the principles of integrity, accountability and justice.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
