Business of corruption thriving
Is it fair to deduce that a lack of political will is the reason corruption in Malaysia is doing brisk business?
REWIND 2011
One must beware of ministers who can do nothing without money and those who want to do everything with money – Indira Gandhi.
Corruption has become a way of life for politicians in this country.
Under the disguise of defending the rakyat’s well-being, these
unscrupulous politicians are in actual fact looking after the welfare of
their own kith and kin.
This “C” (corruption) factor while a favourite among the politicians
has become a menace and bane for the people, most whom have become
exasperated at the after-effects of a corrupt system.
Earlier this month, the Transparency International Malaysia survey
revealed that for the third consecutive year, Malaysia recorded a
decline in its Corruption Perception Index score, its 4.3 score slightly
lower than the 4.4 recorded in 2010 and much lower than the government
benchmark of 4.9.
Is it fair to deduce that a lack of political will is the reason
corruption in Malaysia is doing “brisk” business? If the recent cases of
palm greasing involving politicians who also hold ministerial
responsibilities are any indication, then yes, there is no commitment
coming from the “powers that be” to weed out corruption from the system.
Nipping the malignant bud of corruption is not something the federal
government is interested in. Instead, the government under the Barisan
Nasional flagship is doing the reverse.
When Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak “unceremoniously” deported French
human rights lawyer William Bourdon five months ago, Suara Rakyat
Malaysia or Suaram was convinced that the premier and his government are
“inextricably linked” with the Scorpene submarines corruption scandal.
Bourdon was representing Suaram in a high-profile case filed against submarines’ vendor DCN at the Parisian courts.
(In 2002, Najib then the defence minister, sanctioned the purchase of
the Scorpene submarines amid accusations of gross over-pricing and
kickbacks).
“It is the biggest mistake yet by the Malaysian government for it is
an affront to diplomacy, to international law and common decency. It was
a totally arbitrary act by the Home Ministry and a gross abuse of
executive power of the Najib administration,” Suaram director Cynthia
Gabriel retorted via a statement on July 27, four days after Bourdon’s
deportation.
‘Leadership by example’
Najib has since denied having had a hand in any financial impropriety
in the submarines deal. Now, following in his wrong steps is the Women,
Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil who is
vehemently denying any involvement in the misappropriation of funds
allotted to the National Feedlot Centre which is headed by her husband
Mohamad Salleh Ismail and the couple’s children.
Details furnished by the opposition party PKR allege that Shahrizat
and her family have misused the RM250 million meant for NFC by
purchasing a luxury condominium in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur and another one
in Singapore, a Mercedez Benz and an all-paid Umrah pilgrimage.
Pressure has been mounting on Shahrizat to quit serving the rakyat
but no thanks to the nation’s top two leaders i.e. Najib and his deputy
Muhyiddin Yassin who are playing “godfathers” to her, the 58-year-old
Shahrizat seems unfazed and is capitalising on her 16 years experience
as a politician to cover up her tracks.
Najib thought deporting Bourdon would be the end of his worry, but
not as far as Suaram is concerned, with this human right group going all
out to pin the premier down.
Shahrizat should learn her lesson and own up before she is rejected by the people, “unceremoniously” that is.
Corruption thriving in Malaysia
The NFC scandal has become Shahrizat’s worst political nightmare. On
Dec 23, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) raided the NFC
office at Mont Kiara. A day earlier, the MACC set up a special team to
investigate allegations of corruption involving NFC.
While the NFC scandal remains the hottest topic at present, also
having caught the people’s attention was news that aides of Najib and
Muhyiddin and a deputy minister were allegedly “bought” by a businessman
to obtain contracts from the government and its agencies, as exposed by
a blogger, “The Whistleblower711”.
Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin, who was implicated, claims
that his “conscience is clear” and the money received was not
corruption but instead for the benefit of the people of Bachok, where he
is the Umno division chief.
Whatever their excuses, Shahrizat, Najib, Awang Adek and Sarawak
Chief Minister Taib Mahmud best take cognisance of the fate that befell
former Selangor menteri besar Dr Khir Toyo who on Dec 23 was jailed to
one year after he was found guilty of obtaining for himself and his wife
a valuable property at a consideration Khir knew was insufficient four
years ago.
The court also ordered that Khir’s land and bungalow be forfeited. So
much for Khir trying to ride on his MBship to amass for himself a
fortune.
Politicians must at all times remember that you are here to serve the
rakyat – “people first and not money” must be your undertaking.
Jeswan Kaur is a freelance writer and a FMT columnist.
Well, obviously, pun intended. The words 'toyol' and 'iblis' are no typo. ;)
Khir Toyo is just a 'ikan bilis' in the sea of corruption infested by political sharks.
Khir Toyo is just a 'ikan bilis' in the sea of corruption infested by political sharks.
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