Khir Toyo’s sentence must fit the crime

It’s time to make good on claims that Malaysia is actively fighting corruption

COMMENT

By Karamjit Gill

Lawyers of disgraced ex-Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Khir Toyo have come up with some really laughable arguments and pleas with regards to court sentencing.

Instead of a jail sentence, they’ve proposed free dental service for the poor for three days per week over a one or two year period. That is not a bad idea actually ─ a jail sentence that incorporates free dental service for the poor three days per week. For the remaining four days, he could be ordered to perform other jail chores like cleaning toilets and sweeping floors.

Khir’s lawyer claims that the sentencing should take into consideration the fact that Khir Toyo was a person of good character with no prior record. Well then, doesn’t that hold for all first time criminals as well? What a load of rubbish. The only reason Khir Toyo was not convicted before is because he never got caught abusing his powers before.

At the International Anti-Corruption Conference recently our government claimed to be taking active measures to combat corruption. Well it’s time to make good on that claim. Let Khir Toyo’s sentencing set the precedent.

What Khir Toyo did went beyond corruption. It was an abuse of the power bestowed upon him ─ power meant to look after the interest of the people, which he instead used for his personal gain.

Khir Toyo’s lawyers argued that Khir would definitely lose his pension. What a laugh! As if he needs that pension money. Now what will really hurt him is if he is ordered to repay every single cent paid to him during his tenure as Menteri Besar since he betrayed the trust of the people he was supposed to serve in that capacity.

Malaysia is fast becoming a world champion in corruption and if Khir gets away lightly, it will only mock the system. It will send the message that where corruption is concerned, getting caught is inconsequential.

It is time to be equitable in terms of justice. It’s time to focus not just on the small guys but also on big sharks like Khir Toyo.

Karamjit Gill is an FMT reader.