Corruption, corruption and corruption! I think this must be the most used word nowadays in Malaysia. It's been a word on most peoples' lips ever since our PM chose to put it on his agenda for change to curb the excesses of corruption by stating a zero-tolerance policy and attitude of the government against graft. I do think that along this path we have taken it also means that we will not tolerate abuses of power. And so perhaps it is also why we are hearing more about the APs for the import of cars. Even the disciplinary committee of Umno is being asked about its procedures.
It really is a serious matter for the government and for us when a VP of the ruling Umno party is not spared and was found guilty of money politics and faced a 6-year suspension from the party for contravening party rules.
But the sad part is a civil servant still acted indifferently to what is a policy matter of the highest order. I am referring to the ACA officer who was said to have tried to get a complainant to drop charges of graft against an RTD tester. The officer was said to have told the complainant that she had a slim chance of winning the case. She was led to believe by the officer that there was no point in investigating and that her statement was not recorded. With this kind of attitude and behaviour how does one fight corruption when the one paid to weed out corruption does not want to do so?
How do we ordinary folk feel when the system is not responsive to the call of the PM to do away with graft? When is enough enough? What more do we have to do in order for light to shine in the labyrinthian darkness of our hearts in respect to corruption? A recent survey showed us that 30% of the youth surveyed said that they would bribe if they had to. Even our young people are affected and so it will become normative for our culture that bribery and corruption is an acceptable way of life for us Malaysians.
Yet we must signal that we want an end to this growing evil in our midst that is gnawing at our inmost being. One such opportunity presents itself at the GCF and OHMSI Ist National Congress on Integrity to be held on July 16. Do come to sign the pledge and do your bit for the next generation. Bess Myerson has said that we are accomplices to the crime of corruption because of our own indifference. Let it not be said of us.
Tan Kong Beng is now in pastoral service with Subang Jaya Gospel Centre while also an Elder of the church.
It really is a serious matter for the government and for us when a VP of the ruling Umno party is not spared and was found guilty of money politics and faced a 6-year suspension from the party for contravening party rules.
But the sad part is a civil servant still acted indifferently to what is a policy matter of the highest order. I am referring to the ACA officer who was said to have tried to get a complainant to drop charges of graft against an RTD tester. The officer was said to have told the complainant that she had a slim chance of winning the case. She was led to believe by the officer that there was no point in investigating and that her statement was not recorded. With this kind of attitude and behaviour how does one fight corruption when the one paid to weed out corruption does not want to do so?
How do we ordinary folk feel when the system is not responsive to the call of the PM to do away with graft? When is enough enough? What more do we have to do in order for light to shine in the labyrinthian darkness of our hearts in respect to corruption? A recent survey showed us that 30% of the youth surveyed said that they would bribe if they had to. Even our young people are affected and so it will become normative for our culture that bribery and corruption is an acceptable way of life for us Malaysians.
Yet we must signal that we want an end to this growing evil in our midst that is gnawing at our inmost being. One such opportunity presents itself at the GCF and OHMSI Ist National Congress on Integrity to be held on July 16. Do come to sign the pledge and do your bit for the next generation. Bess Myerson has said that we are accomplices to the crime of corruption because of our own indifference. Let it not be said of us.
Tan Kong Beng is now in pastoral service with Subang Jaya Gospel Centre while also an Elder of the church.
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