Commentary by Mustafa K, Anuar

AHEAD of the August 12 state elections, certain “facts” have emerged to help facilitate the voters make an informed choice.

In what is expected to be an intense contest, certain politicians seem compelled not only to present on particular “facts”, but also take a moral high ground as a means to win the hearts and minds of the electorate.

That is why caretaker Kedah Menteri Besar Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor insisted it is a fact that non-Muslims are the most involved in corruption, a similar line that has been reportedly advanced by his party leader Abdul Hadi Awang.  

To be sure, Sanusi’s stand is in response to DAP’s earlier insistence that PAS back its accusation with evidence, and that corruption shouldn’t be linked to race.

There is, of course, an exception to the rule. Non-Muslims in Gerakan, a component party in the Perikatan Nasional coalition, are not implicated in this “corrupt” labelling. They are obviously considered a different species altogether.

It is clear that generally the non-Muslims, who have been associated with corruption, have only themselves to blame, for they should have been shrewd and farsighted. 

As a community, they could have spared themselves the ignominy had they been astute enough to convert bribery into charity. That would have made such a despicable act kosher and provided much relief to all concerned.

Certainly this is not what the public expect of a community that is supposed to have the gumption to threaten the status and interests of the Malays in the country. The non-Malays should be on the ball all the time.

For the record, Hadi had recently accused the Chinese-based DAP of continuing the colonial British project to eradicate Malay and Bumiputera supremacy in the country, which is the rallying cry of the ethno-religious nationalists.

Similar religious zeal had also driven Sanusi to take some measures to cleanse Kedah of activities that are by and large deemed nefarious and sinful.

It is obvious these odious activities are akin to gambling the country’s future with politicians who have been less interested in improving the people’s wellbeing than entertaining their lust for power.

That is why Sanusi banned gambling in his state, even though this meant depriving non-Muslims the opportunity and freedom to play the game of chance.

It is a fact he does not want ordinary non-Muslim Kedah folk to unnecessarily waste their money and time in the hope of hitting the jackpot, especially if they were to daydream of buying, say, a palatial mansion befitting the lifestyle of certain politicians.

They should also not expect good luck to emerge out of thin air to entertain their hidden desire to drive such luxury cars as Mercedes-Benz, or even a pick-up truck.

Moreover, it is not the place for members of the working class, such as fisherfolk and farmers, to pine for the fantasy of living luxuriously.

They should realise that even getting extra income on the side by, say, teaching diving in the deep sea to interested individuals, may not help to realise the dream of having a fancy house in the long run. 

It is also a fact that the prosperity enjoyed by neighbouring Penang folk, who incidentally are largely non-Muslims, does not necessarily rub off on Kedah commoners who still crave for the good life of the rich and famous.  

All said and done, it is clear as daylight that Sanusi does know a fact whenever he trips over it. – July 14, 2023.