Probity above politics

Probity above politics

Corruption, if left unchecked, can destroy the foundations of
society. It undermines governments, particularly those that have
to periodically renew their mandates before the people.

It is therefore naive for anyone, even the Opposition, to
doubt the government's seriousness in fighting graft. As Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has emphasized, the
anti-corruption drive is no election gimmick. Integrity in the
public and private sectors is too important to the well-being of
the nation to be used politically during elections, and then
quietly forgotten. This will not happen.

The Prime Minister has asserted that the fight against
corruption will be a continuous and relentless effort and,
elections or not, the current crackdown against offenders will
continue. Although Abdullah's vigorous campaign has won
widespread praise and support, he has described it as a "logical
process" in the government's endeavor to meet the people's needs
and expectations. If palms need to be greased to get things done,
it is the ordinary folk who ultimately pay the price and bear the
consequences of declining moral values.

However, Malaysia is also a country that upholds the rule of
law. The Anti-Corruption Agency has to undertake thorough
investigations and gather enough evidence to secure a conviction
for anyone brought to court on corruption charges. Acting in
haste will not do. There are reportedly 18 more high-profile
cases under investigation. The public will have to wait for the
law to take its course.

Unfortunately, corruption is not confined to civil servants or
politicians. The private sector is just as guilty. The Prime
Minister has rightly condemned corruption in corporations as
being as abominable as that in government. In his speech at the
Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange Corporate Awards 2003, delivered by
Second Finance Minister Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, the Prime
Minister called on the private sector to play its part in
fighting graft and ensuring good corporate governance. Every one
of us, in whatever way we can, must make corruption our enemy. We
cannot afford to lose this fight.

-- New Straits Times, Kuala Lumpur