Of Arrogance and Tolerance
Asians are known to be a tolerant community but arrogance is not part of it. This again has been seen with the recent Klang Municipal Council (MPK) assemblyman Datuk Zainal @ Zakaria Mat Deros, a once railway gate-keeper who rose to become a powerful political leader in the Royal Town. A review of what was expressed by Terrence Fernandez in the Sun on October 26,2006 reveals:
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1. The mansion “Istana Idaman” or “Istana Zakaria” — four storeys, complete with a two-storey watch tower - cost about RM6 million - source of finance? - corruption maybe?
2. Palatial mansions, not one, not two, but three owned by MPK councillors being built without planning permissions. - so he is not the only one - Faizal Abdullah and Mazlynoor Abdul Latiff
3. Zakaria is absent without official leave from many committee meetings.
4. DZ Satay which he owns is illegal. - MPK found it fit to tear down the illegal extensions of a licensed neighbouring stall
5. Zakaria had not paid his assessment for 12 years. - No wonder he is so rich
6. The reluctance of the council to take action against one of its own is baffling. - I don’t find it baffling as probably they are all involved in some twisted way
So where are we now? Finally he paid up his 12 years of assessment. The ACA is investigating him. But still yet the arrogance continues - the Sultan summons him to the palace why exactly I am not sure - but he calls in sick. Sure, he was found having a family retreat in Alor Gajah celebrating Hari Raya.
The Star
Yet again, we tolerate such disrespect. Hang Tuah would have slained him in the good old days. Such attitude the MB acknowledge. Such a leader should not be leaders of the community. His datukship should be stripped and like Terrence Fernandez says “Dropping Zakaria and burying his political career will send the message that leaders who break the law will not be tolerated. Anything to the contrary tells the electorate that abuse of power, favouritism and selective persecution are part and parcel of Malaysian political life.”
But without shame he and his family will still contest for aposition in the MPK and without fail we, Malaysians will forgive and tolerate such arrogance.
