Just who are the traitors? — Spencer Gan

APRIL 7 — I note that Perkasa today called Bersih’s Ambiga Sreenevasan a traitor. I am afraid that the tables have been turned on its head in this country and the despicable and corrupt are now dishing out labels liberally.

But I do wonder whether the majority of us would consider a law-abiding activist a traitor or would they consider her a TRAITOR?

1. Someone who allegedly received kickbacks totalling RM144 million from a French defence company for agreeing to purchase two submarines. It is a fair assumption that the person/persons who received the money were not influenced by the utility of the purchase.

Asia Sentinel quoting French legal sources said that a Hong Kong company headed by Razak Baginda and his father received RM144 million from the French defence company. There is some evidence that the money was funnelled to Najib Razak who was the defence minister then. Is this a treacherous act? I wonder.

2. Individuals in the Prime Minister’s Department and senior government officials who have been giving foreigners documentation to allow them to vote in the coming elections. Citizenship is a privilege and it is the height of treachery for this privilege to be given away as if it were a Barisan Nasional T-shirt.

3. Traitors steal from their fellow citizens and don’t respect the rule of law. In this category is the Malaysian Cabinet. I am being generous but I don’t believe that even one minister is living on his Cabinet salary.

They have funnelled contracts, APs to family members, nominees. Some of them are being “kept” on monthly retainers by big business and in return, they influence decision-making so that their business partners win contracts, most often through direct negotiation.

4. Are the people behind Bersih traitors or the editors of mainstream media who have sold not only their profession down the drain but have sold their soul for cash and a Datukship?

5. Traitors are politicians who were voted in under one banner but who jump ship at the sight of money being flashed at them.

6. Traitors are law enforcement officials and government leaders who refuse to set up an independent tribunal against the catalogue of serious charges against the Attorney-General.

Yes, there are many “traitors” amongst us. Just don’t think the people from Bersih qualify.