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The Yayas of Bolehland

Bolehland has encouraged lorry drivers to build no dams, second-hand car dealers to clear excreta, failed consultants to establish IT parks in distant lands, chicken sellers to set up sogososhas. And in so doing, brought about a new class of human beings -- the Yayas -- on hand to mutter with religious regularity "Ya, ya" to every suggestion from the Leader. One prominent Malaysian, who broke his fast at the residences of the prime minister, the deputy prime minister and the Silent One in the White House, said the same Yayas were at all three functions. Since this man himself would have found it impolitic to attend the function last year at the Silent One's, he could not say if the YaYas were there last year. But this year they were not only in force, but in prominence as well.

Few Wawasan business men of Bolehland were around. They had urgent businesses to attend to in Ougadougou, and were unavoidably absent. Many were shocked to hear that Bolehland denizens do not believe that; but it is an open secret that every bank manager has a list of Bolehland's brightest and the best whom he would like to discuss their investment. But a sudden sprout of overseas businesses, especially in Ougadougou, following the terrible beating the ringgit and the stock market has wrought on them, have caused them to be overseas. It would certainly be a libel to suggest they intend to stay out reach. God forbid. They would do no such thing. After all, they are overseas in line with government thinking that Bolehland must spread its wings overseas, and with business and conditions what they are, they have taken the view that Ougadougou is less stressful for the moment. That way they could keep the IMF out of their hair.

The Yayas are those awaiting their turn to join the brightest and the best. And the more leager tend to repeat YaYa endlessless to every suggestion that black is white. It is well known that Bolehland does not encourage its faithful to spout NoNo or TidakTidak, even if it is to a question on whether one plus one equals two. That is why we had eight per cent growth, how insurance salesmen became overnight internationally known business men and chauffers became steel magnates. But the power of the Yayas may be waning. The men who say YaYa to the Leader ought to learn to say NoNo or TidakTidak soon. And that may be more difficult than it seems.

M.G.G. Pillai
pillai@mgg.pc.my