Deputy Home Minister Datuk Chor Chee Heung told Dewan Rakyat today (Feb 18) that the government had to cough out RM 15.153 million to maintain a total of 3,376 extra policemen during the period of the Kuala Trengganu by-election held recently. This must have been a record of sorts i.e. with the largest number of policemen deployed for a by-election in a single state constituency, and the hiring of the most expensive tents costing RM 6 million to accommodate the extra police force.
Now that a precedence has been set, I am just wondering how much more will the government be spending in up-coming by-elections in Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and most probably Bukit Lanjan? And if Kuala Trengganu is the trend setter, I wonder too, how many more thousands of policemen will be deployed?
Honestly, if one were to ask me for an opinion, I would say that the cost to maintain security (so they say) in the Kuala Trengganu by-election is a waste. That amount could have been used to feed thousands of poor and hungry Malaysians. Or better still, donate that amount to the Palestinians suffering in Gaza, if there are no poor and hungry people in Malaysia.
Anyway, I do not believe there was any threat, perceive or otherwise, in the KT by-elections. Neither do I believe that threat was the real issue. Or were they expecting some suicide bombers? Certainly, there were some other hidden agendas that was blinded from our view. And if the agenda is one to ensure a win for the BN, they surely have failed miserably.
These up-coming by-elections will be interesting to watch. Will there be more Santa Claus doling ‘gifts’ and lots of promises to the electorate? If it does, I just wonder if the promises and pledges made in Kuala Trengganu has been fulfilled. Enticing the voters with promises and pledges is an effort in futility these days. It’s their tummies and the food on the table for their families that they want assured.
CRUSADE AGAINST CORRUPTION
Posted at 16.00 pm on Feb 19, 2009
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2 comments:
Interesting to note the PDRM hired the most expensive tent!
Probably some fast-thingking businessmen and their colleagues make a good kill here in times of PDRM urgent need.
In the first place why don't the PDRM borrow tents from the Army or any other government's organizations in order to save taxpayers' money?
The MOF could play a role to avoid unnecessary expenditures if only those responsible put a bit more effort rather than take the easy way out.
Dear Maurice,
This is what I have said all along....waste of public funds. I am quite sure the person who got the contract must be somebody well connected with our top politicians.
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