Lying is normal in politics


IN Malaysia, hypocrisy and doublespeak are tools of the politicians. 

Politicians use them for personal gain. Politicians don’t find it hypocritical to take one line in private but another in public.

Even when evidence is revealed in the public sphere, lies will inevitably follow. 

They know it is highly likely many voters do not know about their record and will not take the time to check it. 

And the very same voters who hate dishonest politicians regularly elect them.

Take, for example, the financial position of the country. 

Politicians postured and were described as working diligently to improve the economy.

Behind the smoke screen, however, they were increasing spending and adding new programmes to the annual budget.

There were no news stories about government adding to the deficit even though that was what was happening.

When the prime minister formed a task force to battle inflation, many thought the move was nonsensical when the majority of the food was imported. 

But statements were issued by various self-interest groups welcoming the initiative and its goal. 

Businesses obviously knew that it would be politically dangerous to oppose the anti-inflation effort publicly and hoped that their support would help restrain its suppliers from increasing prices and its workers from demanding higher wages. 

Indeed, much of what appears in the newspapers as business news is nothing more than corporate propaganda. 

The people are ensnared in a web of lies so much so that they are now unable to tell what is true and what is false. – November 8, 2022.

* FLK reads The Malaysian Insight. 


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