If nominated, I’ll not run; if elected, I shall not serve.
– American Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman
In politics, the inevitable shibboleth (buzzword, password, catchword) is prosperity, liberty, unity, stability that wins votes and keeps the citizenry convinced for a spell. In religion, it’s abiding faith and belief in the hereafter. In economics, it’s land, labour, capital and entrepreneurship translated as voracious demand. In geopolitics it’s the belief that long wars achieve lasting peace. In science, facts, proof and evidence jostle for recognition.
These linguistic spins will assail and entertain even if insulting with its hype, hubris and hypocrisy. “Politically correct” is another shibboleth that spawned “physically challenged” to sweeten “handicapped person,” and “visually impaired” for the blind.
To torpedo and sink shibboleths, media consultant Emma Goodman remarked that “if voting changed anything, they’d make it illegal.” The economist Milton Friedman observed that if the American government was in charge of the Sahara Desert, there’ll be a shortage of sand within five years.” It is clear that government forced its way into the shibboleth list.
The elected should be wary of the electorate on a 24/7 basis to expose political shibboleths that bake and make fake news. The fact that they are being watched, quoted, and required to be totally accountable will encourage, and entrench meritocracy post-GE15.
Parliament (talk show) is another shibboleth where personal styles, fashions, attitudes and mannerisms take center stage, not the Standing Orders, the rule of law, or constitutional supremacy. Principles of policy-making through necessary, needful and proper legislation is a promise waiting to be fulfilled. Eastminster’s sun has not appeared as yet. We await the disappearing sun of Westminster.
The savant Khalil Gibran remarked that life without liberty is like a body without a soul. But does the electorate, and the elected, for that matter, genuinely know what liberty really means? Like merdeka of choice, merdeka from unjust laws, merdeka from silly economic policies, merdeka from suspect discriminatory rights and privileges, or merdeka from political terrorism.
Incidentally, “merdeka” is derived from the Sanskrit maharddhika meaning “rich, prosperous, and powerful”. Imagine when the rakyat is free and independent with wealth, prosperity and power. Wonder if the Tunku knew.
When facing shibboleth inflation, the entire gamut of economists and politicians come up with no real solutions except to quote President Ronald Reagan who said that inflation is as violent as a mugger, as frightening as an armed robber and as deadly as a hit-man. And, sheeple get convinced that this macabre description offers lasting solutions.
The government seems to convey the message that sheeple are responsible for inflation, deflation, recession and depression — unheard of in primitive communities. Which shibboleth is in charge of controlling the printing of paper money and the prices of commodities?
Malaysia had its clean, efficient and trustworthy shibboleth for 22 years under a maverick worshipper of Niccolo Machiavelli who proudly advocated that politics has no relation to morals. So, for 22 years we were guided by a megalomaniac’s compass that directed its 360-degree optics to muzzling dissent, condemning criticism, curbing public opinion, stifling the press, while operationally lalaling dissidents and critics who disagreed with “his way.” His misdeeds are yet to be investigated.
MACC’s unmistakable oddity, “Commission,” as in commission and omission needs rebranding. Why not CIA – Corruption Investigation Agency? “Anti-corruption” smacks of a philosophical intent whereas “investigation” evokes fear of agonising retribution when successfully prosecuted.
The word “justice” and “independence of the judiciary” constitute the penultimate shibboleths. It has been subjected to thousands of spins, explanations and interpretations, in every known judicial system. How justifiably independent are judges appointed by politicians? When will Malaysians qualify to elect eminently qualified persons as judges who swear an oath to uphold and defend the supreme law of Malaysia and not parliamentary legislation?
Shibboleth busting begins with the aphorism that “right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it,” courtesy an early founder of the USA. “Equal justice under law,” adorns the US Supreme Court’s front entrance which seldom suppresses lawyerly sniggers when considering that “a riot is the language of the unheard,” according to a civil rights leader.
“Unity government” should not become a shibboleth but a proactive political solution post GE-15. The messenger and his message resonate loud and clear committed to cleaning up the predecessors’ torrid and putrid mess. Let’s supply the cleaning materials as an act of patriotism like a merdeka for our souls.
HAPPIER NEW YEAR.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
