Responsible, dedicated officers needed to curb corruption in civil service

 

From Walter Sandosam

The existence of suspected syndicates facilitating the entry of foreign nationals into the country is worrying as it shows that our entry points are manned by individuals who have succumbed to monetary gains through bribery.

What does this say about our civil service?

A logical inference is that both supervisors and respective director-generals either have no clue about what is happening on the ground, or are knowingly or unknowingly turning a blind eye to such reprehensible activities.

This situation would not have occurred if the civil service was led by responsible and dedicated officers who place national pride above all else. Instead, self-interest prevails, with individuals indulging shamelessly in corruption.

Looking at this issue through another point of view, religion is meant to guide our understanding of right and wrong. The consequences of deviant behaviour are clear, but it seems that these individuals either lack faith or have forsaken their morals to live solely for the moment.

Corruption has persisted for too long, becoming endemic in the civil service due to a lack of stringent supervision and the exploitation of the situation by the rank and file. The government must be uncompromising and resolute in tackling this menace.

In an incident about a year ago, a minister was criticised by civil service members for allegedly 

trespassing

 into their domain in an episode involving immigration officers and a foreigner. This episode reflects the arrogance and high-handedness of senior civil service officials in confronting corruption on their turf.

The officers’ unions also offered comments that were completely out of sync with developments of the day involving their members. Where are these parties now when the MACC chief commissioner speaks about arrests and the uncovering of syndicates after months of undercover surveillance, thanks to a whistleblower’s tip-off?

The arrest of nearly 50 officers should set alarm bells ringing at the highest levels. One can only pray that the whistleblower’s intentions are altruistic and not motivated by a desire for a share of the bribes received.

We cannot expect the MACC to be everywhere; respective director-generals must step up. Are they not capable of doing their jobs? Many may have been promoted based on seniority rather than their capacity to perform.

Why does the country face such malaise? If everyone performed their duties diligently, we would not need a grand anti-corruption strategy diverting resources from more productive activities essential for economic development.

It is surprising that the MACC can provide recommendations to thwart the activities of deviant officers — such as staff rotations, restrictions on mobile phone usage and improved work scheduling — when we have heard such recommendations before.

The avenues available for exploiting the system, as noted by the MACC, highlight a dire lack of basic internal controls. Accountability for this issue should emphasise individual responsibility, particularly for the director-generals.

Such misconduct would never be tolerated in the corporate sector. If it were to occur, the penalties for allowing such a state of affairs would be severe. Senior civil service officers, some holding postgraduate qualifications in public administration from prestigious universities abroad at the expense of taxpayers, should practice MBWA – 

management by walking around

.

For example, the land transport department has a history of long wait times, with counters frequently closed when efficient service with fast turnaround times should be the norm. The local officer in charge should be aware of this.

Such an environment is ripe for bribery and corruption, especially given the deplorable service levels that fuel the use of 

runners.

 Does the MACC need to intervene to correct basic shortcomings that can lead to opportunities for bribery?

Immediate action is required. Sitting comfortably in well-appointed offices in Putrajaya will not solve any issues.

Senior officials in high-risk corruption areas within enforcement agencies must take a hard look at themselves. Is the lack of basic internal controls, as cited by the MACC, pervasive or isolated? One might reasonably conclude it is the former.

The enforcement agencies, especially, must awaken from their slumber. There is dignity at stake in addressing the issues facing this sector. The new chief secretary to the government should take steps to address these problems.

If the MACC can provide a list of recommendations while focusing on investigations and arrests, surely the respective director-generals can contribute to the fight against the corruption that is ruining our nation.

This is not rocket science. The senior civil service should not allow themselves to be perceived as incompetent! - FMT

Walter Sandosam is a past member of MACC’s independent operations review and oversight panels.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of MMKtT.