Leaders must stand up for housebuyers

The Sun 27/10/2003

Publicity on the plight of Lembah Beringin houseowners is pointedly significant when the aggrieved express the following sentiments:

• the problem has been ongoing for the last five years;
• the project has apparently been abandoned; and
• buyers have adopted the right approach with the authorities but there is a perceived lack of obligatory will by the Housing Ministry to act in the public interest.

There are occasions when developers are also supporters of government which may endeavour to be sympathetic to them.

However, no government can allow their supporters to subvert government credibility for the relatively subjective interests of the corporate set and especially at the expense of ordinary people and working class.

The elected representatives of the people should begin to take a closer look at responsibilities to their electorate and take up the torch using the access they have in government.

Some politicians must reflect whether they still hold on to the values and principles of service to the nation, community and the sense of social mission that took them into politics, rather than nurturing their personal goals by making use of their elevated status.

History has shown that when the self and family are put before national interests and well being, it has caused the downfall of dynasties.

The Barisan Nasional by constitution, objectives and performance is still in essence the best option for this nation despite negativities which had accompanied positive national development.

Unbridled corruption, expanded racial or cultural extremism and irrational politicisation of any religion will be disastrous for our nation internally and a stumbling block for our international relations.

Communism, it has recently been stated, would not for decades hold any attraction for our people in view of our successes in national development, livelihood and economy.

However, we should be wary of own self-destruction if we do not have the wisdom and political will to persist in the executive action, now ongoing, against corruption, professional malpractice or personal misdemeanour.

This is a greater threat in the present.

The incidents of negative practices at levels of governance are naturally more discernable and obvious in and within the ambit of incumbent governments because that is where the greater latitude and opportunities are in governments all over the world. The difference is only in degree, form and substance.

In the meantime the people wish to hear the voice of the relevant people's representatives and their proposed action to give renewed hope and a sense of direction to disenchanted Lembah Beringin residents.

Datuk Seri Yuen Yuet Leng, Ampang