SANCTIMONEY
by
TV Smith
07/01/05

The
Star - 5/1/2005 |
It
is twelve days since the Mother of all Tsunamis
struck. Caring Malaysians donated millions
in cash, food and tattered
bras. Corporate leaders posed gleefully
with mockery
cheques and politicians lap up sanctimonious
moments. Our doctors, volunteers and journalists
are on the ground in Aceh, Sri Lanka and
many other affected countries.
Meanwhile,
a 115-year-old woman waits in a tent in
our own backyard.
So
she survived the last World War eating tapioca
leaves and evading Japanese bayonets. Now
she sits in a relief center hoping that
her daughter from Ipoh would call.
Something
is not right. Almost two weeks after the
incident, a centenarian is forced to rough
it out in a tent, while funds to rebuild
her home and remaining life remains buried
in bureaucracy. Maybe no VIPs are available
for the Mother of all Photo Opportunities
or that our country is still in chaotic
shambles.
The
latter can't be true as our tourist promotion
boards were quick to point out that the
damage was minimal and everything is now
business as usual. Plenty of hotel rooms
are available for tourists but none for
a lady older than the country's oldest rubber
tree in Kuala
Kangsar.
I
understand there are crooks and fraudsters
capitalising on the unfortunate situation.
I am told we need to be cautious and the
fund managers must investigate each victim
diligently. But with this platinum girl,
I think we should give her the benefit of
the doubt and apply some of our famous cow
sense.
For
crying loud, can't we at least put her in
a hostel or some backpacker's lodge? Even
if the funds are tied up in red tape, can
we not roll out one dusty red carpet just
for her? We are known for our super fast
action when it comes to younger heroes.
With the flick of an executive finger, we
mobilised thousands to welcome sports heroes
and record breakers, doled out instant cash
rewards and conferred datukships overnight.
Meanwhile,
a 115-year-old woman waits in a tent in
our own backyard.
© 2005 TV SMITH
Link to this article: http://www.tvsmith.net.my/duasen/070105_sanctimoney.html
|