Ministers and the evolution of insanity

In recent months, the perception of Malaysians toward members of the Executive has taken a severe nosedive, with many others questioning the foolishness being displayed almost every other day.

So when Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Abdul Rahman Dahlan came out with bravado last week to encourage early-risers as a way to avoid paying toll, it was not surprising that story broke the internet.

Malaysians were absolutely livid – but unsurprised – that such inane comments arrived from a minister.

However, it could rather be a case of the minister in question taking the mickey out of Malaysians by exhibiting a complete lack of empathy toward the very real struggles being faced by ordinary folk, not the lack of sense of his statement itself.

Because this isn’t the first time such seeming ludicrousness is taking centre stage.

Prior to the current housing minister, we had to face the whole fiasco of having to another Cabinet member going on about the goods and services tax (GST) reducing prices of goods.

Make no mistake.

Statements like “Wake up early if you want to avoid toll”, or “GST will reduce prices of goods” do not make any sense. Period.

But opinions like these arise not because they are empty-headed.

Rather, the real scenario is that these ministers are simply unable and unwilling to wear their shoes of the people and realise how tight a fit they are.

There is a huge disconnect between the lives people in public office live, versus the suffocation being experienced day-in, day-out by Malaysians.

That brings along a belittling attitude by these ministers towards the people.

Because for one, they think we will buy into their reasoning, wake up early to avoid toll, rather than put them under the spotlight to find a solution to the actual problem at hand; the very real cost of living challenge being faced by almost everyone.

Justifications along the lines of “GST reducing prices of goods” may sell in areas where the subjects do not have access to information.

But these arguments will not fly in an environment where the toll rates affect motorists on a daily basis, especially those who live in a “tolled jail”, where all exits from one’s house are through toll booths.

While these two examples are of the extreme variety, I can remember more instances where a view by a Cabinet member has left me completely befuddled.

Hence, as a collective, the Cabinet today lives in an almost complete disconnect with the realities Malaysians are having to grapple with.

That is the sole cause of them providing piecemeal solutions to our very real problems.

At a time when the people of Malaysia are struggling to make ends meet, empathy can go a long way.

Ministers should not add insult to injury by thinking that we are gullible into accepting anything they say under the sun. – November 11, 2015.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.