When selective attention gets the better of a politician

SOMETIMES we humans – especially politicians – do have selected sight or life priorities. Many a time, politicians tend to champion something that they can expect fruitful returns while turning a blind eye to issues of lesser benefit to them.

Therefore, it makes valid sense for socio-political commentator Mariam Mokhtar to pour cold water on the concern raised by Cameron Highlands MP Ramli Mohd Nor – who is also the sole Orang Asli MP in Parliament – over a plan by the Rural Development Ministry to put a non-Orang Asli in-charge of the Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA).

Mariam Mokhtar

Her contention is that Ramli is only speaking out now when he found out that the JAKOA director-general post would be given to a non-Orang Asli.

“So, Ramli, why were you silent for the other issues?” she asked in her latest Facebook posting.

“Where were you Ramli when other Orang Aslis were being converted, when no teacher will teach in their villages, when their supply of electricity and piped water come with conditions … meaning, if you convert (to Islam), we will connect you to these services.”

In a statement today, Ramli said priority must be accorded to an Orang Asli to fill the vacancy for the JAKOA director-general’s post.

“As the sole Orang Asli MP in Parliament, I condemn and oppose these efforts by bureaucratic little Napoleons in the ministry,” he lambasted.

“Information has reached me that there is an effort by officers in the Rural Development Ministry who are putting pieces in place so that the (JAKOA director-general) post is not held by an Orang Asli.”

Mariam who is a fierce critic of the socio-political problems of Malaysia further poured scorn on Ramli by accusing him of not doing his bit to help the Semai tribe of Pos Woh (in Tapah, Perak) the way Russian national Valerie Azure did to elevate the education level of the Orang Asli children.

“I do not recall you trying to help the villagers of Pos Woh who wanted the Russian lady, Valerie Azure, to continue to teach them English and open their minds to learning all sorts of things – from a study of the oceans, to outer space and from Einstein to the care of the environment and from understanding about humanity to human rights,” she pointed out.

“She (Azure) was able to secure donations from the expatriate community in Kuala Lumpur, and sourced stationery, computers, toys, etc for the children … and yet, when JAKOA and the Special Branch hounded her, where was your voice?”

It is learnt that although JAKOA has granted Azure a permit to conduct her educational programme at Pos Woh until Oct 31 this year, her permit was terminated on March 8 without any reason nor warning. – May 19, 2021

Subscribe and get top news delivered to your Inbox everyday for FREE