IT’S usually really difficult to tell truth from lies in politics. That difficulty is typically compounded during an election year, when politicians and parties they represent tend to sweep problems and scandals under an already dirty carpet.

It gets worse in a Westminster system like ours that does not practise a fixed term. Any year could be an election year, bringing the cycle of ridiculousness to a loop. Often, in their overzealousness in defending the good name of their parties and leaders, they underestimate the basic intelligence of their electorate.

The way the 1MDB scandal is being handled provides much proof of this – from flip-flop stories about the source of a mysterious donation, the fuzziness on whether or not an offence has been committed, on-off-on investigations, denial after denial, cries of conspiracy and the latest declaration that despite all the non-problems, the company will be closed after its debts are paid off.

But unlike previous scandals, it’s now difficult to explain things away. This isn’t a fiasco you can hide under the race or religion card, a problem that can go away by making it sensitive, a scandal that you can shut down by ending investigations with a slap on the wrist. 1MDB is different – it involves half a dozen foreign jurisdictions, which makes it international. It covers financial, criminal, political and business areas, which makes it multi-angled.

It even broached into Hollywood and involves big-name celebrities, socialites and movie and music productions, which makes it entertainment gossip, and that is one cat you cannot put back into the bag.

The problem has attracted too many eyeballs and the amount of wool required to pull over would leave the sheep population of New Zealand quite naked.

After a short lull, a luxury yacht associated with the US 1MDB investigation was confiscated in Bali recently.

 The response was quite incredulous – that we did not know who owned the yacht; that we were not sure where it was and so on.

Only hours after the good minister gave his first response, Jho Low himself issued a statement expressing dissatisfaction at the US’ Department of Justice in what he feels is an unfair action. The yacht in question has also been featured in many boating and sailing magazines, with its owner prominently named. These magazines are available online, or in any of our local yacht clubs.

The second response met with scorn from even our former International Trade minister Rafidah Aziz, who pointed out that even she could pinpoint the exact location of the yacht in question a year ago, on a diving trip in Phuket, as it showed up on the Automatic Identification System (AIS) system. Most large or expensive vessels are equipped with it, and it shows the exact coordinates of the ship, for safety and security purposes.

Another alleged scandal that was reported in the past week involves a senior police officer, accused of money laundering in Australia.

On this, the public was told that the money is clean and accounted for, but he did not wish to challenge this unjust seizure. This conclusion was reached after, at best, a day of internal investigations. In contrast, some politicians are investigated for weeks and months over much less serious accusations, and without much outcome.

Perhaps consistent responses, in both word and action, when dealing with similar issues would give the government the credibility it seeks, and people, the peace of mind we all desire. – March 6, 2018.

* Emmanuel Joseph firmly believes that Klang is the best place on Earth, and that motivated people can do far more good than any leader with motive.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.