The mainstream media was singing praises of the Prime Minister's announcement of the launching of the Sabah Development Plan which promises a RM105 billion investment package and 900,000 new jobs over the next 18 years amongst other things. This, of course, comes very closely in the wake of a bold statement by a local Barisan Nasional apparatchik that the Opposition will not be able to create an upset in the state and topple the incumbent administration.
Maybe that's why the powers that be found it necessary to reach deep into the people's money and give back some to the people themselves. Then again, its still just talk. They've promised quite a bit to the people of the Land Below the Wind just to topple what was then the only other state to be administered by a party that wasn't from the incumbent ruling coalition in the Federal administration. How much of those promises have been fulfilled, I'll leave that for Sabahans to fill us in.
I heard a joke earlier today that reminded me of the headliner above. It goes something like this ..
A YB dies and ends up at the Pearly Gates.St. Peter comes up to him and tells him,
"Politicians are a special breed of people. They get to decide where they want to spend their eternity. But to do so, they have to fulfill one criteria."
The YB happily agrees to do what is needed and is told that he needs to spend one day in hell and one day in heaven before deciding where he intends to stay.
St. Peter accompanies him in the elevator down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.
Everyone is very happy and dressed in the finest batik there is. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They play a friendly game of golf and then indulge themselves on lobsters, caviar and the most expensive food there is.
Also present is Mr. S.A. Tan, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go.
Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises.
The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.
"Now it' s time to visit heaven."
So, 24 hours pass with the YB joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.
"Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."
The YB reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I am better off in hell."
So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage.
He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.
Mr. S.A. Tan comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder.
"I don't understand," stammers the YB "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"
Mr. S.A. Tan looks at him and smiles,
"Yesterday we were campaigning. Today, you voted."
If you liked this post, consider buying me some coffee. Suggested price is $1.00 for a cup and $10.00 for a 1 lbs bag (personally I am a big fan of Ethiopian Yirgacheffe).
Categories: Life
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