We live in the age of materialism.
Not that it is anyone's fault. Not that it could be a bad thing. What do I know?
Not to mind the fact that Tun Daim and his boys was hailed as the epitome of success for a person, specifically for a Malay, - by none other than Tun M...
The number one leader of a country punching above his weight.
As a great man once said to me, it's all relative. Now years after he said that to me in the halls of MINDEF in KL, I am confronted with the question that what are your achievements given your age.
I responded that I am debt free.
To which the interviewer said that it is irrelevant. You need to show what you have achieved.
I guess by that the interviewer meant a nice car or a big house or a fancy title. I am not so sure.
It is strange isn't it.
Those who commit their lives to public service definitely are not as financially rewarded as those who contribute to wealth building in the private sector.
Sometimes we are even demonized when we get some benefits akin to private sector ones, or even better.
As Nadir once said, Money attracts Talent, well given the toxic and hatred towards those who attain even a minuscule amount of wealth via the public sector, civil servants or politicians, then I wonder why people find it so strange to NOT find good talent or performance in public services. The constant closed counters when renewing your licenses etc...
Strange Times, indeed.
-Affan.