Instead of jumping on the bandwagon to criticise Rafizi Ramli of PKR, I think we Malaysians must seriously look at ourselves. What are we Malaysians like? Are we not easily swayed by racial and religious issues? Are we not easily influenced by instant gratification and promises? Have we not failed to see the big picture? Which part was not true as observed by Rafizi?

Who do we Malaysians prefer? Politicians who speak their minds or those who only make politically correct statements?

Do you not think it is time we Malaysians became more self-critical? Have we been tenacious and united in our resolve? Do we prefer to be lied to rather than told the truth?

It is just so funny; we get offended when politicians tell us the truth but we don’t when they lie to us. Have they not promised us thorough investigations on numerous wrongdoings? Have we not witnessed endless investigations that have no outcome?

When certain politicians are cited for making insulting or incendiary remarks, all they need do is offer a few options. First, deny it. Second, claim mischievous reporting. Third, say the statements were misconstrued. Fourth, apologise without remorse or worse still, apologise while at the same time justifying and reinforcing the insulting things said earlier. You know what? We docile Malaysians will take all this crap in our stride.

When politicians promise us paradise on one hand and damnation on the other, we are supposed to believe them lock, stock and barrel. The godly politicians have the divine truth within them and we should neither ask nor challenge the decrees pronounced, much less criticise it.

When politicians instigate and make us enemies of each other, we accept it as our fate. We justify our actions and behaviours by succumbing to racism and bigotry. We readily accept poor economic management by trading in our insecurities.

Here comes the crunch; when Rafizi told us we were blind and gullible, we were up in arms over it. How can this be? Aren’t we smart and sophisticated Malaysians?

I am inclined to think Malaysians are more than blind and gullible. I think we have a perverted sense of right and wrong. We are hypocrites. We criticise because the target is easy, not because it deserves more criticism than others.

Ah Beng is an FMT reader.

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