‘Bangsa Johor’ has no tolerance against graft

We’re shocked once more with a multi-million ringgit scandal which involves the ruling elites. This time the scandal has shaken the moral landscape down south in Johor. News of alleged abuse of power and graft which engulf the son of one of the exco members of the Johor state government and his officers have circulated nationwide.

Photos of the 21 luxury cars have been widely shared and news of the RM15.5 million allegedly owned by the accused has been widely reported. To make matters worse, the state which prides itself for protecting the ‘bumiputras’ and being a stronghold of Umno is now at centre-stage of a corruption scandal which allegedly involves the sacrificing of reserved bumi-properties for a quick buck. So much about Umno’s notorious war chant, “Hidup Melayu”.

Bangsa Johor has always been vocal against corruption and abuse of power. We saw the former deputy prime minister, Muhyiddin Yassin, put his neck on the line when he spoke up against the 1MDB debacle. In the 1990s, Shahrir Samad, the MP of Johor Baru, openly challenged Dr Mahathir Mohamad for his alleged wrongdoings. He was subsequently punished but was still able to retain his seat despite contesting as an Independent candidate.

The current Tunku Mahkota of Johor, fondly knows as TMJ, has spoken up against corruption and abuse of power on multiple occasions. When interviewed on ‘The Obviously Harith Show’ he said, “I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again. Voicing out for the people, reminding leaders to serve them with integrity, dedication and devotion, if its a crime, they have to put me in jail, because I’m going to continue doing it.”

TMJ also urged other state royalties to challenge the corrupt power structures in defense of the people. In a subtle move to complement the brave action of the former head of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), the current menteri besar of Johor hosted and rewarded Abu Kassim Mohamed for his bravery while serving with MACC.

This is not a new phenomenon. History has shown that Johor has succeeded due to non-corrupt leaders and has also failed due to the corrupt. Sultan Abu Bakar Ibni Al-Marhum Temenggung Raja Daing Ibrahim, also known as the ‘Father of Modern Johor’, was scrupulous and just. His administration was lauded by the Queen of England, Queen Victoria for being run efficiently.

The style of governance was similar to those in the western world, corruption-free and justice-driven. Sultan Abu Bakar was known for providing aid to ethnic Chinese entrepreneurs to stimulate the development of the state’s agricultural economy which was founded by Chinese migrants in the 1840s.

He also revolutionised the development of Johor’s infrastructure, administrative system, military and civil service, all of which were modeled closely along Western lines. That was a time of progress and prosperity driven by a clean and efficient government. This became the founding principle of ‘Bangsa Johor’, forwarded by the late Sultan Ibrahim, the second Sultan of Modern Johor.

Johoreans today should not sit idly while corruption plagues our prosperous land. Corruption should be the number one enemy. It is the enemy to the Malays, Chinese, Indians, Bugis, etc. It is the enemy to the moral fabric of our beloved state. We should actively challenge the power structures which deem to corrupt us before the stench of corruption becomes irremovable by seeping into our identity.

Imagine what the ‘big fishes’ are keeping for themselves

If the son of a state exco member who’s only a ‘small fish’ can have a huge share in the seized assets which involve 21 luxury cars and bank accounts topping RM15.5 million, imagine, just imagine what the other ‘big fishes’ are keeping for themselves. This is definitely a cause for concern.

The Menteri Besar of Johor, YAB Khaled Noordin, said that Johor will collect an annual RM50 million tax revenue from the Forest City developmental projects. That sounds promising.

However in the midst of a multi-million corruption scandal which involves the draining of state collection of taxes, I believe YAB Khaled might be confronted with a more depressing reality. One where the state coffers are filled with holes poked by his subordinates for their personal gains.

To all Johoreans out there, let’s unite against the cancerous tumour which is eating at the heart of Bangsa Johor. The tumour known as corruption. United we stand, divided we fall.

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SYED SADDIQ SYED ABDUL RAHMAN is a part-time lecturer at Universiti Islam Antarabangsa (UIA) Malaysia and is Asia’s best debater, winning the United Asia Debate Championship in May 2015.- Mkini