FOR those uninitiated, this is an analogy that was related with regard to the country’s political situation.

Two friends were having a conversation on some of our political leaders.

One was very supportive and appreciative of their behaviour (pro-politician) while the other held the opposite view of them (anti-politician).

The pro-politician supporter mocked the anti-politician supporter by asking why he was so negative and critical towards the politicians who had done so much to help the poor and people of all races.

To him, they helped many in multiple ways.

They distributed BR1M, gave Covid and flood assistance, cancelled debt, paid tuition fees, their rents, gave food aid, etc.

The anti-politician supporter told the the pro-politician supporter than since he thought that way, he will bow down to him if he remained calm and stayed frozen for the next half an hour.

Although puzzled, the pro-politician supporter agreed.

The anti-supporter then asked the pro-supporter to place his wallet on the table.

Hesitating at first, the pro supporter relented and agreed.

Inside the pro supporter’s wallet was around RM240.

The anti-supporter took all the money and went to pay their bill.

He didn’t stop there.

He also went and paid for the bills of 3 other tables of unfamiliar families. The collective bill amounted to RM217.

The anti-supporter didn’t know them, but still he went to their tables and told them that today, their meal was his treat, that he had paid for their meals.

All in, he received all sorts of compliments from the people whose meals he had paid for.

The pro-supporter was shocked. Confusion and anger was all over his face.

He just couldn’t believe what his friend, the anti-supporter, had just done with his money.

The pro-supporter just couldn’t accept his friend, the anti-supporter using all his money to pay for the meals of strangers and receive all their compliments!

The pro-supporter then confronted the anti-supporter on his actions.

The anti-supporter asked the pro-supporter why he was feeling so angry?

“Isn’t this what all the political scumbags out there are doing with our money? And billions too, not merely two hundred plus!”

Why scold me when this is what all our politicians are doing?

Yet you praise these politician criminals who do the same!

They stole public funds, enriched themselves and hid all their wealth overseas in Switzerland, Singapore, London, New York, Dubai, etc.

Then they used our money, our taxes, and donated to the poor to gain political favour and support.

You get angry at me for doing the same, yet you sing the praises of these plundering politicians?

These politicians stole our rice bowls and our children’s futures.

They enriched themselves and their families but made us poor to make themselves politically popular.

They distributed crumbs to the poor from the stolen billions which was originally intended for the development of all the people and the country.

Why then do we regard these plundering politicians as heroes and champions who did good for the rakyat?

“We condemn petty crime and jail petty criminals.”

“And yet, we excuse white collar crime and plunder by politicians. Isn’t this just as wrong?”

Even though the anti-supporter returned the money to his friend, the pro-supporter remained upset with the actions of his friend.

To the young and first time voters voting in the general election, you and your children’s futures could be even more painful and bitter.

Think carefully about wolves in sheeps clothing before you cast your vote on November 19.

FLK reads The Malaysian Insight.

* 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.