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