I cannot quite explain what I feel when I read the arrests of former ministers and corporate leaders. It isn’t jubilation or satisfaction. I thought I would feel happy because justice is finally about to prevail but I don’t. Now, I am just disappointed and sad on many levels.

Disappointed at how these leaders, who were elected and appointed, to care for and protect the interests of the people, employees and shareholders, had long discarded their responsibility and plunged Malaysia into a mountain of debt. Sad at the situation these people have put themselves in. Especially as there was no need to. Plus, the legacy they will be leaving behind – for the country, the companies they led and their families.

What for? Greed, power and designer labels. How much is enough? Surely, we don’t need multiple properties, yachts and luxury cars, hundreds of pieces of expensive jewellery, designer clothes and one too many exclusive handbags. We can but only live in one property at any one time. As much as many of us like driving fancy cars, we can but drive only one car at any given time. In the same token, we have but one head and one neck that is attached to one torso, two arms, two wrists and two ears. Even if we liked variety, how many pieces of jewellery can we wear to one function? And however much we loved handbags, carrying one over each shoulder or arm would appear a tad silly. Owning all these things is plain and simple – obscene extravagance. More so when it was not through personal hard work, talent, intellect or innovation.

Why? Because they could. And worse, these people would have gotten away with their transgressions and very likely continued the plunder of the nation’s wealth and assets with impunity if not for May 9.  For them, it was all about power and wealth, and amassing as much of it as possible at any cost. This powerful elite gave no thought, no consideration, no compassion to the many who were unceremoniously sacked, victimised and imprisoned when they dared to question or showed signs of becoming a thorn in their side. There are many real victims and their families, who are still grieving and still waiting for justice to be served.

And, aren’t we all victims as well? Wanton looting, major leakages and widespread mismanagement means more debt to repay and less funds readily available to manage and develop the country. The much needed cost cutting measures are already seeing job losses and deferments of infrastructure projects – resulting in a slower economy in the absence of the anticipated multiplier effect. People are and will feel the pain until the nation gets back on its feet.

No one thought there could possibly be a change in government not after the many decades of rule by the same powers that were. These people remained, and not unsurprisingly, expecting no repercussions. Since May 9, has there been any signs of remorse? Has there been any show of repentance? None visible.

If anything, they continue to poke fire at how the current government is conducting itself and cast doubt at some of the elected ministers’ capabilities. They keep rallying their remaining followers whilst throwing some of their own people under the bus. Facilitated by the new government’s promise of freedom of speech for all,  these very same people are taking advantage especially via social media to give their version of everything from IMDB to how they are being maligned by those not in their camp. These versions are interesting if not somewhat incredulous.

Now, as the mighty wait for judgement day; total executive power to rule, dominate, control, buy support, silence dissent, and imprison threats are no longer. It is surreal to see former bigwigs in the dock, accused and fighting, any which way, to stay out of prison.  There will always be differing views on the many ministers and corporate leaders’ innocence or guilt. For those who believe in them, no amount of tangible, in your-face evidence is going to change their stand and support. For those who have grown tired of the yarns spun and the wool thrown over their eyes, justice is long overdue.