Opinion
By LIM MUN FAH
Translated by Soong Phui Jee
Sin Chew Daily
2011-11-03

Ploys are inevitable in politics but it is a different matter whether the ploys are brilliant.

The recent political ploy of accusing Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s teenage son of molesting a girl, who was later identified as 21-year-old chess grandmaster from Britain, has been greatly criticised. It has been expected that the ridiculous allegation would trigger an uproar and that is also why other politicians have drawn a line with it to avoid being dragged into the sewage.

However, if you think that public opinion can deter a repeat of similar incident, then you are wrong. Since they have done such dirty things, what else wouldn’t they do?

As expected, someone took another action. This time, a group of 300 protesters on motorcycles claimed to be made up of members of several non-governmental organisations had staged a demonstration outside the Penang State Assembly building in Light Street. All in yellow shirts printed with political words, the group demanded a racing circuit.

How strange it is! How could Mat Rempit, who used to stage illegal racing at night, actually walk on the streets in broad daylight and make an unprecedented demand? Isn’t it ridiculous and unbelievable?

Just like many others in bafflement, I am curious about the background of the group proclaiming itself the Pertubuhan Islam Gabungan Amal (Pertiga), because I cannot see how their words and deeds are linked to mercy and goodness.

They are definitely not a mob, but rather a planned organisation with a motive and target.

However, their wishful thinking has once again gone wrong. They thought it was a brilliant move, but it was in fact not the case in the eyes of the public.

It would be worse if there was really a political agenda behind the move as it would only trigger the public’s resentment and make the people more sympathetic to Lim.

If it was really a political ploy, I can only sigh and say: “Alas! What a poor and clumsy political ploy!”

The groundless allegation involving Lim’s son is a kind of slander while the demand for a racing circuit for Mat Rempit is absurd. They will become international jokes if spread abroad.

However, those who have repeatedly come out with such dirty games will never admit their mistakes or consider it a disgrace. When a person becomes brazen, he has lost his sense of shame. Would he still listen to well-meant words?

Although they are disgusting, we should not just turn a blind eye to such shameless acts. If the community remain silent, it would encourage their arrogance. As a result, the bad political culture will deteriorate and further confuse our social values. Eventually, we have to suffer the loss of justice, as well as the basic judgement of right and wrong!