Power and The Right to the Last Rites

Malaysiakini LETTERS: The right to the last rites
Ramdas Tikamdas Dec 30, 05 6:41pm

In this country, even the right to the last rites has become embroiled inthe dynamics of power. Power is another name for the law, for ultimately thelaw - both civil and divine - is enacted by those in power ... Full letter here.

Ramdas nailed it! Alas, power is indeed the name of the game. It's nothing else but that. Power can be compared to a great river; while within bounds it is both beautiful and useful. But when it overflows its bounds, it becomes destructive.

It has reached an 'unhealthy' level for us all. Sucks, doesn't it? Even Dr. Mahathir Mohamad acknowledged it during the Q&A session after giving a talk on Current Issues in Malaysian Politics recently. He was quoted as saying, “I believe that the country should have a strong government but not too strong. A two-thirds majority like I enjoyed when I was prime minister is sufficient but a 90% majority is too strong."

Historian Lord Acton (1834-1902) issued the same epic warning almost a century ago when he said "political power is the most serious threat to liberty, that power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."

And before him, it was Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) who said, "Nearly all men can withstand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

So apa macam now? Got the bola-bola to do what needs to be done? You and you?