RECENTLY, an assistant minister in Sarawak remarked that it was awkward and absurd for longhouse chiefs who opposed the ruling coalition to receive allowances or salaries from the government.

It is not the first time a politician has said this and it won’t be the last. It is not like these politicians know that the country’s resources belong to every rakyat.

It is the responsibility of the government – regardless of whichever party or coalition to which they belong – to provide all rakyat with an equal voice, or vote, in determining state policy, regardless of their socioeconomic status or other attributes. The Federal Constitution spells out the roles and responsibilities of both leaders and rakyat, and every rakyat is assured of their constitutional rights and their future, and no rakyat should be left behind because of their race or religion or political leanings.

Democracy in this country can function only when the rakyat have both rights and responsibilities. Rights and responsibilities are two sides of a coin that go hand in hand. Leaders, once elected, must abide by the terms of the Federal Constitution and are limited in the powers they can exercise.

The democratic system of this country was founded on the freedom of its rakyat to celebrate their rights. Fundamental rights bestowed to the rakyat are an essential part of the Federal Constitution, set out in Article 8 (1). The rights are not violable in common circumstances, but they are not absolute either and are subject to reasonable restrictions as necessary for the protection of public interest. Such rights prevent the government from being dictatorial and oppressive. In any case of rights violations of an individual, the courts can protect and safeguard them.

All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of the Federal Constitution and against any incitement to such discrimination.

Each and every rakyat is responsible for the protection and development of the country. Everyone has the right of equal access to public service in this country.

The will of the rakyat is the basis of the authority of the government which is expressed in periodic elections. Each has the right to take part in the government of this country, whether directly or through their chosen representatives.

The country exists for the benefit of her rakyat and has an obligation to respect and protect the rights of the rakyat, including civil rights and political rights.

Regardless of whichever political party that the rakyat voted for, the government of the day should be grateful for their victory and feel honoured to serve the public.

The statement made by the Sarawak politician underlines what politicians in the country have been denying collectively for many years – that the country has been in a state of decline. And along with this decline,  the rights and freedoms of the individual are being chipped away by the powers of the state.

The greatness of the country has always been its rakyat and not the governments that rule the country. The man in the street is a better judge of what is right, and what is best for himself and for his family, than any civil servant or politician, ruling and opposition alike.

For Sarawak, its revenue comes from income, sales, and other taxes, charges and fees and transfers from the federal government and it is raised in a way that does not discriminate against any specific group and that it complies with its obligation to ensure equality and non-discrimination. That was the record the ruling coalition GPS put before Sarawakians in every of the elections carried out in Sarawak. Sarawakians were the ultimate jury and they found favour in GPS.

Politicians in this country are behaving as though the country is a bottomless purse. Thus, it is imperative that the rakyat should constantly remind them to never forget this fundamental truth – the government has no source of money other than money which people earn themselves. If the government wishes to spend more it can do so only by borrowing the rakyat’s savings or by taxing the rakyat more. It is no good thinking that someone else will pay – that “someone else” is we, the rakyat.

Politicians have a greater responsibility now than ever before. Now, more than ever, they need to draw on support from all sections of the nation.

The KitaJagaKita hashtag should be the national motto which is self-help and not help yourself at someone else’s expense like all the revelations about politicians and civil servants helping themselves fraudulently with the taxpayers’ monies. – February 7, 2022.

* FLK reads The Malaysian Insight.