Of politicians and impostors

If in broad daylight someone walks in the street completely naked, shouting at the top of his voice that he can save this world...

And if everyone else flocks towards him, believes in him, worships him, and embraces him, then this man must be a prophet.

But if people are least perturbed, see him in contempt, or lodge a police report to get him apprehended or transferred to a lunatic asylum, then this man is but insane.

Similarly, if someone jumps out, runs for the presidency, and says the same thing, how would you react?

Trust him, and he could be your leader.

Sceptical, and he must be a liar.

If you have a mixed bag of feelings towards him, then he is a politician.

Politicians, without fear or favour, are all lumped between the two extremes of bona fide leaders and impostors.

Sometimes, depending on their effort or luck, some of them could be elevated from politicians to leaders while others from politicians to impostors.

Some 2,000 MCA central delegates will be making their choices next week. Are they going to elect a leader, a politico, or worse still an impostor?

It's not the first time people get swindled.

In the past, some people packaged themselves as righteous saviours with their flowery language and moral discourses. But now, people are searching under this external packaging to probe their sincerity.

In the past, some people made a multitude of pledges. But now, people are inspecting whether these pledges have been honoured.

In the past, some people loudly chanted their reform slogans. But now, people are examining whether things remain much the same as they were.

In the past, some people said they would go through thick and thin with the party and the community. But now, people are digging out the truth whether these people have really gone an extra mile just for their own well-being.

To be honest, the responsibility does not lie solely with the politicos. People holding the ballots in their hands should also be held accountable too.

When someone tells you: Follow me, and I shall deliver you to the Promised Land!

Do we really have enough wisdom at least to ask: Why should I follow you? Hence judge whether this is a prophet or a lunatic.

In a similar manner, when a candidate says: Elect me, and I promise...

The voters or delegates should ask: Why should I elect you?

The problem is that many people have forgotten how to ask why.

Deep in their hearts, these people are already seen as heroes or prophets. All they need is follow their footsteps.

We need genuine leaders, and have an obligation to teach the politicos and impostors a lesson that we are not all that dumb and you cannot keep cheating us.

We must be a lot more observant and demanding, or we will keep electing politicos and impostors. (By TAY TIAN YAN/Translated by DOMINIC LOH/Sin Chew Daily)