Poor reputation: Hopefully, in this Year of the Snake, the amazing reptilians will avoid the bad press, at least for a year, says the writer. —123rf
WE will be ushering in the Year of the Snake soon. Unlike many other years in the Chinese zodiac, the reptile, for some reason, has a poor reputation.
It is often portrayed as dangerous and poisonous, even when some species do not even bite. The poor snakes even get blame for the traitorous acts of human beings even when it’s no fault of theirs.
Back stabbers and betrayers, for example, are dismissed as “snakes”. No one credits the ophidians for getting rid of pests and playing a crucial role in balancing the ecosystem.
Hopefully, in this Year of the Snake, they will avoid the bad press, at least for a year.
The political villains, however, are not likely to go anywhere. I can already smell the glee and excitement of the opportunistic, slithering kind.
With the likelihood of a state election in Sabah soon and talk of an early general election in 2026, although it needs to be held only the following year, we can expect venomous speeches this year.
Malaysians are used to those slimy kinds who eat, sleep, and spew race and religion.
But over the past few months, they have stooped to an all-time disgraceful low.
Despite all the warnings against the use of the 3Rs – race, religion and royalty – we haven’t really seen real, effective action taken against these serial offenders.
The only ones who get hauled up are the minnows who post silly missives on social media.
Really, most of us are sick of politicians with their masculine “jantan” posturing as they are nothing but intimidating bullies.
When it comes to real issues like fighting corruption, they are like mice, their manly assets suddenly lost.
It is only when they need publicity do they crawl out of their pits. We should remember them for what they are during the elections, even if they try to shed their old snake skin during campaigning.
We have to send a strong message that such old tactics of race and religion have no place in Malaysia.
After over 60 years of independence they are still cooking up fictitious and imaginary threats from fellow Malaysians to stoke insecurity.
Political snakes may bite now but soon, they will realise that they need the votes of every race, as the contest will be tight. The reality is no politician can win in Malaysia by banking on one community.
If they cannot be the champion of all Malaysians, then they don’t deserve the votes.
They can coil around us with their hypocritical and manipulative offensives but we should remind them of what they had said before.
We will need plenty of sulphur and other repellents during the campaign period.
They will put on their shiny armour, I mean, shiny reptilian scales, but be mindful. As the saying goes, be wary of snake-oil peddlers.
In the old Western movies, the native people would often say: “Beware of white men with forked tongue,” – yet another reference to snakes.
But let’s not be overly harsh on all politicians. It would be thoroughly unfair to generalise.
After all, according to Chinese astrology, those born in the Year of the Snake are charismatic, charming, wise, and with strong intuition.
They are said to think things through thoroughly and are good at understanding people. Certainly, these are the good traits of those born under this Chinese zodiac sign.
I believe many of our politicians have these qualities. There are many good ones who have sacrificed much for the country and people.
Unfortunately, it is the second- rated loud ones who grab the headlines with their gibberish.
In 2025, the voters of Sabah will have their first shot at these forked-tongued beasts.
Some Sabah politicians may suffer from trust issues but most are unlike the nasty hissing kind you find in the peninsula.
Race and religion do not sell in Sabah and Sarawak. Those who try will get hammered. They will instantly be chucked into the South China Sea!
Some have tried for decades to get elected in Sabah but the venomous green image fails to impress the level-headed Sabahans.
Let’s not even talk about Sarawak. They can’t even get past the immigration.
There’s a little over a week to the Chinese New Year, and it looks set to be different this time. Unlike the scorching hot weather in past years, it could be wet and cool this time.
But expect heavy traffic in most towns, as vehicles will be snaking through the highways and towns.
Well, we will all just have to wriggle along, too.
