The Malaysian Insider | October 18, 2011
OCT 18 — There is no denying that Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin is a smart man.
The Oxford graduate has made use of his education and upbringing to shine through the untalented masses that make up the bulk of his party.
Which is why it is a disappointment that the Rembau MP saw nothing wrong with his remarks about allegations involving Lim Guan Eng’s teenage son, and called his critics hypocrites for pointing out that he was perpetrating lies about a member of a political rival’s family.
Earlier today, Lim said he was furious with the “barbaric lies” made about his teenage son by “pro-Umno ferocious beasts,” singling out Khairy and other ruling party leaders for perpetuating the allegations through snide comments on blogs and social media sites.
Is it fine to defend or perpetuate a lie? Or does Khairy know the alleged misconduct is a fact?
If it is, won’t he ensure that justice is done?
After all, Khairy has been the subject of gossip and innuendo from within his party too. Has he forgotten what it is like to be the topic of the day, to be the subject of lies being spread like wildfire?
Or is this all in the name of political expediency? Scoring cheap shots and bringing down rivals with nasty talk and unfounded facts.
Is this what a gentleman does? Is this what intelligent people do? Is this what politicians of a certain pedigree resort to in order to bring down a rival or remain popular with the masses?
Is there nothing sacred anymore in the quest for popularity, position and power? Not just the Umno Youth chief but the vast number of pro-Umno bloggers who are out to keep their party popular by criticising or weaving tales about their opponents.
Perhaps gutter politics is the way to go. Perhaps we have to stop holding KJ or Umno to any standard and no one will be disappointed or surprised by what they do.
What a pity. A young man like KJ is the symbol of Malaysia’s future. But what sort of future can it be with the easy acceptance rather than the rejection of such politics?