Extremely Desperate Housewives

I watched the U.S. show Desperate Housewives. Few months later, the latest season is now screening. The main characters are a group of wealthy housewives. Their lives are actually full of hedonism, and seemed to be peaceful and calm.

Each housewife put herself in a nice and lovely package. However, once she enters the real world, the situation would be different.

Well, I am not advertising for the television programme. However, in the past few days, a group of BN Datins, former Datins and current Datins in Selangor, Penang, Perak and Kedah walked onto the stage and allowed the people to see their bare faces. The situation is quite similar to Desperate Housewives.

(The word “Desperate” is controversial. The meaning is the people are almost helpless and are struggling to survive.)

As the name suggested, the Wives of Selangor Assemblymen and MPs Welfare and Charity Organisation (Balkis) is a social group for Datins.

With approving nods from their husbands, the Datins have also organised their own club. Besides shopping and gathering, they involved themselves in charity and fund-raising too. With such background, it is not difficult for them to raise funds. Tycoons and government-linked companies (GLCs) are willing to donate. Therefore, such a small organisation is very rich.

They think they can remain the wives of government leaders forever. As long as the BN is safe, they can continue to do so. It is the day of contingency and a political tsunami had disrupted their happy and fulfilled lives.

"How can the men who come out with such strategy from behind, put their wife in such a predicament?"
Several states have fallen into the hands of Pakatan Rakyat. Their identity as the wives of government officials cannot be secured. The organisation's assets may not be under their control, too. Under desperation, they simply dissolved their organisations and transferred huge sums of money to the Association of Wives of Ministers and Deputy Ministers (Bakti), or donated the money.

Under the leadership of the wife of former menteri besar Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo Datin Seri Zaharah Kechik, she has transferred nearly RM10 million from Balkis alone.

This is where all the problems start.

Legally, it is not in line with the procedures of charitable organisations. They did not issue the mandatory 14 days for an EGM to dissolve their body.

Morally, the assets belonging to the organisation. It must be open and transparent enough, as well as to withstand any scrutiny. The money cannot be simply transferred and used.

The name and the assets of an organisation cannot be treated as their own companies and private accounts. The organisation cannot be dissolved as they liked, nor the money can be transferred in nay fashion to their fancy.

Furthermore, Balkis is not a political party branch. Since it used the name of charity and raised funds from the public, it must be responsible to the community.

In the past, they depended on power and were impressive. However, once the situation reversed, they lost their manners and frequently play around with little tricks. Probably, they have to face legal action. How can the men who come out with such strategy from behind, put their wife in such a predicament?

There is a tagline for the show Desperate Housewives, which pretty suits the situation of these government officials' wives:

Everyone has a little dirty laundry.

It's time to come clean.

It's extra Juicy!

Tempting, isn't it? (By TAY TIAN YAN/ Translated by LEE MEI NYEE/ Sin Chew Daily)

Source: MySinChew