YOURSAY | ‘Into the pockets of the politicians, cronies, and families?’

Experts: Poor Disaster Warning System burns RM36b annually

BOBBYO: That is why the whole civil service needs to be revamped. Hundreds of billions spent until this small nation today is in a trillion-ringgit debt.

Where has the money gone? Into the pockets of the politicians, cronies, and families? Shameless betrayers of the nation, who are responsible for the state the nation is in.

Buying mediocre items at top prices is just one area of purchase. Not forgetting the many other ministries and their agencies. Hundreds of billions of taxpayers’ money are spent, year in and year out.

If only they have shown some form of loyalty to the nation, we would today have the best structures to protect against serious disasters like floods or warnings of future catastrophes in place.

It has been as if everyone was working in their own best interest. Right from the top, right down to the office boy level.

We need to stop these wastages, corruption activities, and massive overlapping agencies to divert the funds to where the need is indeed great.

Maya: Comparing Japan (developed) with Malaysia is futile. Floods have been occurring for years almost affecting the same folks, but they are still happy living there.

They will not move out, even if the warning is sounded. This is probably because they have accepted this fate. The Meteorological Department did issue heavy rains and flooding, much earlier, but still they were caught.

Japan's early warning is only for typhoons and tsunamis, which is much more different. But even then, disaster still strikes, albeit less severe because their evacuation and preparedness are advanced.

People know what to do because of education, mock drills, and awareness of the nearest shelter are all done repeatedly.

Hmmmmmm: I have said it many times, don’t allow any development in flood-prone areas. People currently staying in low-lying areas should be moved to other areas.

Those low-lying areas should be turned into flood detention ponds or lakes which can double up as recreational areas. Yes, the initial cost can be high, but it is a one-off cost.

We cannot be spending billions on fighting floods, aid for flood victims, and flood mitigation projects year in and out.

We will always be fighting a losing battle if we fight against nature. Flood mitigation projects involving tunnels and others, merely shift floods from one place to another.

NoobMaster69: This is how broken our country is, too much corruption from the past administrations led to massive failure in almost every aspect of social welfare and security.

Playing too much racial and religious politics leads to unqualified lawmakers helming the top policymaking post in this country.

I hope the recent floods will wake many of the fanatics that vote according to religion and races up to the fact that natural disaster does not choose race or religion.

Mano: NoobMaster69, you are too optimistic! Many politically flavoured sermons at the oft-visited places of worship are too deeply ingrained.

How many of our leaders, including our royalty, may perhaps think and order that places of worship be used to inculcate righteousness and true patriotism, among others?

It is so difficult for many people to even think about what is right, what more to say what is right, or worse to do what is right. Let us wait and see.

Let us see how many people will react with much indignation and anger like how people lashed out at UK-based surgeon and medical researcher Dr Amalina Che Bakri who said genital mutilation is illegal in the United Kingdom.

Amalina received lewd comments posted online targeting her nine-week-old daughter. The count of people (who will react with much indignation and anger towards such comments) will be a mirror.

But how to improve? When the whole target of the leaders, politicians, ministry staff, ministry workers including the relevant agencies is: what can I get out of this new system we are going to buy?

What can I get out of this contract/tender, whatever, where can I makan (eat), where can I make a commission? The objective to serve the rakyat and to reduce hardship is just not there. Sad but true.

Jasmine: Nothing new, isn’t it? If warning systems deployed are effective, then that will be the end of self-enriching “vultures”. No further avenues to continue milking the taxpayers’ money whilst the poor citizens in these areas continue to suffer annually.

This modus operandi is endemic in most expenditures, especially at the local government level. Diligent, honest, and politically courageous state representatives, if still around, should go on untrumpeted walkabouts to see for themselves the unbridled wastage that’s become the unashamed way of management.

COMMENT | What corruption cost us over the years

GanMu: Corruption has become a way of life for many politicians. When that takes the driver's seat, good governance, integrity, accountability, and others become nothing but mere words.

It has become so sophisticated that it is becoming extremely difficult to trace the ill-gotten gains of many.

What I find so relieving with this government is that it has successfully negotiated and reduced the huge outlay for big contracts by the billions, whereby the savings can be re-channelled to the rakyat in terms of lower energy bills, assessments for Putrajaya properties valued less than RM300,000.

This is only the beginning. The unity govt will deliver more.

Mariam Mokhtar, I like your point on you being aware as a child of how your parents react with horror when a minister or civil servant is charged with corruption. This explains your strong stance toward the truth.

It brings home the point that parents play a significant role in instilling good values, molding a child's character, and upbringing, personal integrity, and dignity. Qualities such as being truthful, having self-pride, and working hard should be inherent in their personality.

The cardinal principle that is above all religions, is do not take money that does not belong to you.

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