The Malaysian Insight

POLITICIANS have to start showing that they are sincere in looking after the welfare of the people instead of using disasters such as the recent floods as a photo opportunity to further their career, analysts said.

This age-old practice, they said, will no longer be tolerated by Malaysians, who can see through their antics and have been venting their anger on social media.

Coupled with the economic hardship brought on by the Covid-19 epidemic and the constant political instability, Malaysians are at their breaking point, they said.

Sociologist Sharifah Munirah Alatas of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said politicians need to not only think about how they act on the ground but also to stop “acting” as if they are doing their job.

“They must actually get down to the ground, muddy their feet and soil their hands, and show the people that they care,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

“This display of sincere behaviour is more comforting to the rakyat than parading around with a big entourage or convoy of cars and outriders. This show of hierarchy and feudal superiority is unimpressive.

“Malaysians are no longer naïve. We know when a politician is indulging in cheap photo ops or whether they sincerely care for their constituents.”

Large parts of Klang Valley were flooded over the weekend due to three days of downpour.

The most affected areas were Shah Alam and Hulu Langat where the water levels reached up to the roof of homes and left many stranded overnight on roof tops with no shelter and food for days.

The government has been criticised for its slow relief efforts in helping flood victims while several politicians also faced the wrath of Malaysians for turning the disaster into a photo op.

Among those who were criticised were Finance Minister Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz, who was criticised for travelling with a large entourage in a boat, which could have been used to rescue victims.

Another video shows him riding on the back of a four-wheel-drive vehicle with a convoy of several other vehicles.

Women, Family and Community Development Minister Rina Harun also received flak for wearing high heels to visit flood victims.

She was subsequently criticised for hosting an event to collect funds for the victims at a hotel, instead of going to the ground and offering aid.

Videos of International Trade and Industry Minister Mohamed Azmin Ali and Umno secretary-general Ahmad Mazlan helping flood victims “clean” their homes were also called out by netizens as a publicity stunt.

However, the Ahmad video was shot last year but unforgiving social media users have dredged it up as an example of politicians seeking cheap publicity.

Long-standing issue

Prof James Chin, a political analyst at the University of Tasmania, said Malaysians are entitled to their anger as politicians are parading around while their whole lives were swept away by the floods.

Adding fuel to the fire is the fact that Malaysia is prone to flash floods and nothing has been done to remedy the problem, he said.

“Flash floods are a long-standing issue. It seems like the government hasn’t learnt even after every major flash flood. The moment the floods go away, it’s back to business as usual,” he said.

Chin said for flood victims who have been through a traumatic experience, these politicians do not come across as sincere in helping them.

“People have every right to be angry. If I were one of the people who see politicians promoting themselves, I will also be angry. They are not sincere, it’s nothing more than a photo opportunity,” he said.

Learn political ethics and moral values

Sharifah Munirah said politicians need to learn political ethics and moral values in order to do their jobs effectively.

“The quality of our politicians today has deteriorated to dangerously low levels. In terms of values, many are corrupt, uncouth, unempathetic and hypocritical. In terms of capability, many lack the skills and make no attempt to sincerely learn on the job,” she said.

Sharifah Munirah said their refusal to work with more knowledgeable people also works against them.

“More and more politicians are making dangerous blunders. All Malaysians can see it now. And it is also because the wrong people were simply handpicked for the job in the first place,” she said.

International Islamic University Malaysia’s Tunku Mohar Tunku Mohd Mokhtar said there is no way for politicians to rebrand their image other than just doing what they were elected to do.

“There’s no need for rebranding. If politicians really want to help, they should just do so without much fanfare. People know those politicians who are sincere and who are not,” he said. – December 23, 2021.