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From evil comes unity

Monday, 10 August 2009 07:22am

©Malaysian Mirror (Used by permission)
by Jan Yong

OPINION THERE is a most evil place in Malaysia, worse than the prisons. While prisons contain victims of circumstances or bad genes, or simply careless criminals, this place reeks of a stench so foul that you either feel like vomiting or you rejoice in it, depending on your inclination. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, this place, throbbing with loud music, dim lighting, sexy sirens and “brothers” with the same cause is the place where the black sheep of the police and gangsters meet night after night. The place, located in several spots in the city is a very “muhibbah” place – with Malay, Chinese and Indians all on brotherly terms. It’s one big happy family. Admission is strictly through contact and there is no dress code.

This evil place is also the safest place in Malaysia. After all, the police (all having a good time) are there to maintain law and order should any untoward incident occurs. When their extra rice bowl is at stake, they take great pains to preserve this “safe haven” from threat of discovery or in-fighting. When all participants share a common goal - that of extracting wealth from illegal means, all are beholden to a code of silence to the outside world.

But inside, the wheeling and dealing go on in dim lighting and loud music – all the better to prevent the walls from hearing. This is where organized crime aka gangsterism meets the guardians of peace, law and order aka black sheep police to hammer out deals. Common topics – negotiating commissions from their illegal activities, territorial divisions and exploring new business opportunities. It is all business talk. Everyone is happy because everyone gets a share. It’s easy money. All you need is an ability to exploit less able souls and the ability to snuff out your conscience in the process.

Most united and profitable

When the black sheep of law enforcement personnel are on friendly terms with the operators of illegal prostitution and gambling outlets, drug dealers and the many specialized crime syndicates in the market, it’s a happy co-operation that keeps the streets safe, relatively speaking.

Our PM would be proud of it. This is One Malaysia at its most united and profitable. It is totally race-blind, ethnic-blind, gender-blind and religion-blind.

Money is the only currency here – and it talks loudly to the exclusion of all other considerations. It is the one tie that binds these Malaysians. I must say, these are the enlightened souls and those tasked with national unity should learn a thing or two from them. Affirmative action? Malay supremacy? Islamic supremacy? – pooh, who needs them? As long as the money (and alcohol) flows freely, everyone is happy. The pie or the “kueh” is divided fairly. No NEP or other race-based policies are needed. No prolonged politicking and inconvenient street protests.

Hell, perhaps this is not the brotherhood of evil after all. It could be the prototype for the emergence of a new breed of Malaysians, with one abiding uniting factor – the love of money. The religious books say: “The love of money is the root of all evil”. I say: “The love of money is the root of unity”. At least in Malaysia, that seems to be the one factor that can conceivably glue us all back to being a united Malaysia.

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