Hollywood Politics: TMJ, Syed Saddiq and an Unfinished Drama

In my last posting, I urged TMJ to check his facts before  making  accusations against the Federal government and the PMX.  I'm relieved  to note that I'm not the only one.

In fact, I am honoured to be reading Tokoh Wartawan A. Kadir Jasin's latest masterpiece. In his posting entitled "Mengata Dulang Paku Serpih", the doyen of Malaysian journalists writes:

"Bahaya yang ditakuti adalah ular punti yang menjadikan rumpun mengkuang tempat persembunyian. Apabila kita tebang, ia akan jatuh atau turun melarikan diri.

Warna kulitnya hitam dengan lingkaran kuning menyebabkan ia turut dikenali sebagai ular cincin emas. Nama saintifiknya, Boiga melanota dan dipanggil juga ular tiong."

"The feared danger is the Punti snake that makes the clumps of trees a hiding place. When we cut them down, they will fall or run away.

Its skin color is black with yellow rings, which is why it is also known as the golden ring snake. Its scientific name is Boiga melanota and it is also called the Tiong snake."

Like many Malaysians, Kadir simply cannot understand TMJ's apparent dislike of Syed Saddiq. Why the continued fixation on the Muar MP?

After all, Syed Saddiq and his team have been working hard for the people of Muar. His fundraising efforts and constituency work have earned praise even from those who do not necessarily share his politics.

So what is it?

Jealousy?

Or is TMJ attempting to undermine Syed Saddiq's standing in Johor in favour of a candidate closer to his own preferences?

Interestingly, Syed Saddiq's latest posting appeared to contain a subtle response. No names were mentioned, of course. But the timing was hard to miss. The entire episode is beginning to resemble neither Bollywood nor Hollywood  script but that of a tiresome, low-budget Malaysian drama minggu ini.

The Johor royal family is often described as the wealthiest in Malaysia. TMJ himself has claimed that the Palace has spent "hundreds of millions" for the benefit of Johoreans.

Which is commendable.

But perhaps there is another way to help.

Instead of spending vast sums on luxury toys, why not support hardworking MPs who are raising funds for their constituents? For example, the Palace could provide matching grants for every ringgit Syed Saddiq raises for the people of Muar. 

After all, the people of Muar are subjects of the Johor Palace too, are they not?