LETTER | I guess Malaysian politicians and government leaders can never get it right, regardless of party affiliation and political ideology.

They will pay and accrue to themselves lucrative salaries and privileges first and foremost. The interest of the people is at most incidental or secondary.

Sometimes I see the luxuries enjoyed by them are almost blatant and obscene.

It would have been more palatable if the livelihood of the people has improved. But to flaunt opulent living in the midst of poverty and deprivation is ridiculous.

Kelantan is not a rich state by any measure. Despite the recent oil royalty, why do they need luxurious marques for the state’s menteri besar and exco members?

This is not about affordability and legality. This is about allocation of scarce resources and morality.

For a long time, we have been hearing our leaders talk about wanting to serve the people and the nation. However, for a long too, the people are seeing the dissonance between talk and reality.

Despite our democracy, I think the people are generally being misled. The contest for power among politicians is not really to serve or to have better policies. It is just a musical chair to enjoying the tapping of power and privileges.

Has the annual flood situation improved? Have they filled up all the potholes or repaired the roads damaged by the flood? Have they repaired the dilapidating schools and clinics? What about uncollected rubbish and clogged drains, have they done anything about this?

Sometimes, I think it is the size of their office, the marques they own or the timber concessions and contracts they are about to sign that occupies their attention.  

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.