I've always hold on to this saying that honesty is the best policy. But recent happenings has caused me to reconsider whether this saying is still applicable in our modern society. Nowadays, it's more like dishonesty is the best policy. Why do I say this? Well, I've been unable to get any scholarship although I'm considered not as well to do as most of the scholars I know. Apparently, this is because they know how to lie about the background of their family, while I, on the other hand, will just go and tell the interviewers exactly what car my parents owned, what kind of house I am living in...etc. Maybe I'm just what people call plain dumb, but I just can't seem to lie with a straight face like other people.
Another thing is, why can't Malaysian companies give scholarships according to a person's ability, instead of the person's background?? What is so hard about that?? I mean, if a foreign foundation can just give a person scholarship without asking a single question about the person's financial situation, why can't a local foundation do the same?
This background criteria has caused many people to lie about their family's financial situation so that they can get a scholarship. This also means that a lot of cheating filthy rich people get the scholarships that they applied for, whereas the middle class ones who refuse to lie would never have a chance to get the scholarship. How fair is that?
So, honesty, the best policy? I doubt it.
