Lair or Liar

A fellow Old Putera (that's the term used to describe members of the RMC Old Boys Association) commented after reading my blog that some might misread "Lair" as "Liar" because of their less than proficient command of the English Language. He also added that if my blog touch upon the political scenario of the moment, then I would attract more visitors.Incidentally, I replied to him that I started the blog because I was suffering from a bout of insomnia and my daughter gave the title so I just continued with it. Furthermore I said, I do not relish being associated with politics because I am no admirer of politicians after having been in public service for 38 years and knew their tendencies to become perfect "liars" when it served their interest. You could count with your fingers how many would remain truthful till they take their exits. Short of bragging, I have served a few who later became PM and also an Ex-DPM who resigned because of "Irreconcilable differences" in styles of governance with his supremo. I found to my consternation that they would buckle under threat from minions who had clout at the grassroots. At one meeting with a registered association, their President blatantly blackmail the then Minister who later became DPM by saying that if the Minister doesn't accede to their demands for their retention at the State level offices due to the proposed reorganisation then they would against him in his fight for the top post of the leading political party in the ruling coalition. He then sheepishly relented and promised not to remove their posts from their current positions when the reorganisation took place. From there I had no respect for politicians because their political interest superseded their sworn duty to uphold the Federal Constitution by sacrificing public good to safeguard his political interest. My stand as a public servant who carried out my duties without fear or favour made me unpopular with politicians because almost all and without exception were charlatans and public interest is not in their vocabulary. I could not be pressurised to do things which were irregular and desisted demands which were unlawful and ask them to put their dhoby mark should they insisted. So, when you have such a reputation it was in their interests to avoid having me as their top civil servant. It's sheer pity that the calibre of people manning the upper echelons of the civil service nowadays is really wanting because mostly serve with fear hoping for favour. So, my OP friend is right, you must be a liar in order to be popular and if you are honest and upright, you have no place in politics or the administration. My apologies to those who are unduly offended by my tone of writing since I am fond of calling a spade a spade.