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MRT2 workers should blame the real guilty party
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LETTER | Some 20,000 employees have cried foul over the MRT2 project cancellation. The turnkey contractor blames the new government for the impasse.

But hey, this is precisely the crux of the problem under the last BN government. Offering humongous public projects at hyper-inflated prices and dubious costing, without due diligence on price-gouging or cost deviations/ diversions (to political funds or cronies) by privileged contractors.

Indeed, “You help me, I help you” won the day not so long ago, proclaimed by our guiltless master of all Machiavellian princes. This passe catchphrase must now be thrown into the trash can of our shameful history.

Corruption at the highest order, at public expense, will no longer be tolerated along with the wrongfully-gained patronage projects and awards.

Now we're settled with huge unmanageable debts that the rakyat has to sacrifice to pay off. Our taxes will be increased, more items will likely be taxed to fund a balanced budget in order to remain a soluble sovereign state.

The rakyat has been primed to face unpopular measures come Nov 2. We're forewarned to be prepared for sacrifices for the sake of our national coffers and integrity. Budget 2019 and beyond is expected to be brutal and painful for most Malaysians.

So any sympathies left for the so-called 20,000 luckless employees? Of course! But there's more at stake.

Should we engage reverse gear for this 0.06% of our populace? And forego some tens of billions of ringgit of overpriced projects? Heck no. Millions of Malaysians are in even more dire straits now having to repay the gargantuan debts from the profligacy and wanton corruption of the past government.

They are 26-year olds with first class honours and are smart, super-intelligent, high achievers? Then this hiccup is what's exactly needed for them to wake up to the challenge and not dwell on their presumed privilege or entitlement.

Welcome to the real world. Many graduates can't even secure a regular job. I say tough luck. Buck up, find other jobs and challenges that prove we are all made of better, steelier stuff. Stop this self-pity and whining and waddling in the muck of complacency. There will be no more easy handouts.

Most Malaysians do not have that chance. So get over it. Fight for your livelihood and life. Prove your mettle and commitment to help recreate, rejuvenate a new better Malaysia.

But please, please, blame the right culprit and the true remorseless corruptors.


The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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