COMMENT | It’s the age-old perennial question of why politicians from both sides of the political divide won’t work together to solve the issues which affect the people.

Instead, they bicker, trade insults and play politics. They are so toxic and do the opposite of what they promised in their manifesto. Few people believe what a politician says and many even vow never to go voting again.

However, come general election time, when the evil rhetoric of “defending Islam, protecting Malay rights” rears its ugly head again, the same toxic politicians are returned to power.

Politicians play on our insecurities and fears. Some bribe us with small acts of “false generosity” in the form of wads of RM50 notes stashed in envelopes.

Politicians are the most untrustworthy group of people, but how can we cope with them and what can be done about them?...