Invoking the divine to solicit funds masks state policy failures in attracting investment
29 May 2012
Press Statement by MCA Youth National Chairman Datuk Dr Ir Wee Ka Siong
Invoking the divine to solicit funds masks state policy failures in attracting investment
In the past, Kelantan Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Nik Aziz had spurred voters to select its hardline party on the ballot slip with its simplistic claim that a vote PAS will secure entry to Heaven. This round to obtain financial aid, the tok guru unfortunately once again resorts to reminding Kelantanese that God will reward donors contributing towards the construction of the RM1.8 billion Kota Bharu-Kuala Krai Highway with pahala or divine merits for good deeds.
Voting during any elections and donations should be based on conscience, the performance of the political party and elected representative; or for donations, on the cause the individual believes in. In this scenario, the PAS spiritual head exerts subtle pressure by applying a "guilt trip" on the local populace – that if they do not contribute for the highway or vote PAS, they may suffer retribution in the afterlife.
Concealing state policy or local authorities directive failures
The appeal for public donation whilst invoking the divine is undertaken to cover up the state administration's regressive policies which have put off investors be they domestic or foreign from investing in this east coast state. Lack of investment has resulted with Kelantan becoming the poorest state on the peninsular with high unemployment.
Rather than encouraging a business-friendly environment, the state government and local authorities were bent on punitive measures on petty matters which rebuffed investment like
- Requiring foreign tourists especially Europeans to be attired according to Islamic regulations
- Issuing summon to a hair salon owner for permitting her worker to wear a three-quarter-sleeved blouse while on duty
- Ceased issuing licences for karaoke centres
- All food outlets may only start operating after 3p.m. during Ramadan
- Gender segregated queues at supermarkets, cinemas
- Prohibiting lip stick and high heels
If the Kelantan state government had utilised its existing state coffers prudently to generate investment and not for example, reportedly spending a portion of the RM600 million federal loans on state excos and officials to go on foreign trips as alleged by the Kelantan People's Action Council although the funds were meant to rectify water service in the state, there would not be a need to infer the name of God to solicit public donations.
Shirking responsibility
Dubbing the highway project as the "People's Highway" while adopting a gotong-royong mode through public donations, the PAS-led state administration is passing its responsibility to rate payers who have dutifully been paying their local council rates which against reflects the former's inability to manage state finances.
Datuk Dr Ir Wee Ka Siong
MCA Youth National Chairman
Member of Parliament for Ayer Itam
Deputy Minister of Education
-MCA online-
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