This about the continous fight of Captain Mukhtiar for his pension - edit.

This is the story of two groups of men. One is of standing, the other without. One receives millions in ex-gratia payment. The other suffers, begging for scraps here and there. The ones of standing are six former judges. Respected by many and sacked after much deliberation. This happened a long time ago. The judges were impeached by their peers, some of whom were local and others who were foreigners. That, too, is an old story. Word has it that their pensions were paid nonetheless. Twenty years’ worth. Suddenly, a Minister (now former Minister) came into the picture. Zaid Ibrahim is his name. He was not just a minister, but a liberal one with a universal outlook.

Thus, the life of the six former judges became brighter. Their ‘suffering’ became headline news with the minister going back and forth to come up with the best solution. The answer was simple. Dip into the country’s coffers. Use the taxpayers’ money. Give them an ex-gratia payment of RM10.5 million. In the blink of an eye, they became rich. Three became instant millionaires while the rest received half-a-million ringgit each. Zaid is no longer a minister. He resigned. Rumours have it that many in the Cabinet were relieved. But remember, Zaid was personally chosen by the Prime Minister. That is the story of men with standing. An old story that no one was allowed to forget. Millions of cash dished out supposedly as atonement for the sin and to honour their contributions to the country.

But who cares for the nameless ones? The little guy with no one to champion his cause, although every drop of his blood and every beat of his heart was dedicated to the defence of his homeland. This is the story and the suffering of former soldier Capt (Rtd) Mukhtiar Singh. At 75, the former policeman and soldier is still waiting for his pension. His appeal was rejected by the Defence Ministry. "He did not meet requirements," was the excuse. That was it. This is bureaucracy at its worst. Fortunately, there are still those with hearts. Individuals who know the meaning of selflessness. Thank you Lt-Col (Rtd) Mohd Idris Hassan and thank you IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan. And to YB Wee Choo Keong as well. Thank you also to Malay Mail for highlighting the plight of Mukhtiar Singh.

There are still many out there who are waiting for someone to fight for their rights because Social Welfare officers no longer visit villages and the rural areas to seek out the poor and the helpless. Many more are suffering because the Yang Berhormats are too busy enjoying the good life, forgetting their campaign promises and manifestos. I remember the old days when Social Welfare officers would visit villages and rural areas, looking for the needy and the poor, the single mothers and orphans, the old and the handicapped.

Extension officers visited farms, offering advice and extending knowledge. Rida (now Mara) officers went to rural areas looking for smart children to send to boarding schools. Now, public officers rarely venture out into the kampung. They are more at home in their air-conditioned offices and cushy chairs. If we want aid, we have to go and see them. Even then, there’s no guarantee that they will be there. They are too busy playing golf to win the hearts of their bosses at the expense of their obligations to the community.

This is the Malaysia that we promote as being safe and peaceful. Is this reality or merely a mantra chanted by the media to soothe our ears? To quote Bob Dylan, "The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind. The answer is blowin’ in the wind." The Malay Mail