Quit Mooching Off The Country

Natalie Shobana Ambrose (3rd December, 2009 - theSun)

There’s a new dictionary I refer to aside from the usual list. It’s called the Urban Dictionary. It’s not a dictionary that one usually quotes from but I find this contemporary archive of slang very useful for the ‘aged’ and not so ‘clued-in’ people like me.

My latest search was after a conversation about people who “mooch”.

There are twelve definitions for the word mooch (verb) listed, each capturing an aspect of the word- as most definitions do. The one that best describes a moocher (noun) for purposes of this article, is someone who leeches on or sponges off, trying to get something for nothing even though they have means.

I’m not sure about you, but I’ve met and have a few moochers in my life. After a period of being taken advantage of, I tend to breed feelings of indifference, get fed up with this personality flaw and have a very low tolerance level towards the moocher.

It’s not a nice thing to have to deal with I must say, unless you don’t mind being mooched off. I personally am not a fan.

Sometimes, it’s how one deals with the situation that encourages mooching too. Perhaps I’m enabling people to mooch off me because I don’t have the guts to tell them otherwise.

But sometimes there is no way of telling them to stop without ruining the relationship. But soon resentment sets in and then it goes downhill.

So how do you stop a moocher as big as corruption? I’m not sure.

For a country rich in natural resources, we have not shown to be good custodians of what we’ve been blessed with. How can all that money have gone with little uplifting the people?

According to Transparency International’s 2009 Global Barometer Index political parties are perceived to be most affected by corruption in Malaysia. Oddly enough, we are aware.

67 % assessed the current government’s efforts to fight corruption as ineffective. Perhaps the PKFZ issue got to those surveyed or the idea of implementing GST.

On top of all the money siphoned from going towards housing for the poor, basic amenities, education, correcting social injustices, improving the plight of the rakyat we’ve been mooched off to line the pockets of people who already have the means to live well and are lapping up the luxuries.

What is most confusing about the whole GST talk is that the government is getting its financial advice from American financiers- did we just sleep though the recent-current economic crisis?

And what are the measures in place to address money lost in the last year or two, not to mention years gone before we can allow more mooching to take place.

There’s an integrity deficit.

How is it that there are still those living in abject poverty in Malaysia? Where orphanages, old folks homes, centres for those in need and of need struggle to get funds or have to be funded by private businesses and private donations. Why are there so many “volunteers” burdening the public for donations in supermarkets, mamak stalls and near ATM machines?

Instead of unwillingly donating towards holiday homes, lavish meals and Balinese styled mansions, we should do something to stop our pockets from being picked.

I for one am not convinced that my best interest is at the heart of those who manage the wealth of the country.

Safeguarding the interest of the people is not mere lip service, more needs to be done. Don’t allow these injustices to continue and don’t tell the people to tighten their belts when they don’t have enough each day.

Giving away money at elections and during festivals to the poor is not giving back to the public. If anything it just shows how trivial the plight of the marginalized is to those in power.

We have enough convention centres and stadiums that costs millions and remain white elephants, what we need is for public funds to be accounted for and for the mooching to stop.

All in favour say Aye!

Natalie holds an anti-moocher placard in protest.
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