Vote for a government that is not corrupt

 

From Moaz Nair

Corruption at any level of society is dishonourable and unlawful. It is a symptom of a deep problem in society that can cause many conflicts which indirectly affect the economy, investment, enforcement, the legal process, and even ethnic division. It results in poor civic consciousness among the people that will in due course debase the whole society.

Unfortunately, there are politicians and officials who still consider corruption an acceptable way of life. Insatiability has blinded them when it comes to money and wealth.

Corruption is now perceived to be strappingly rooted in the nation’s culture. A very senior politician was once quoted as saying, “Corruption is a form of lubricant. It helps work get done faster.”

The same politician was quoted as saying, “Never mind if there is a little corruption here and there as long as the people are helped.”

When statements of this nature come from a senior politician, it’s a bad omen for the country. This is tantamount to endorsing the culture of corruption among politicians and those with authority.

Corruption, as every Malaysian is aware, goes against the religious and moral values of any civilised society. There could be a short-term material gain from corruption, but if this blight goes unbridled, it will become a threat to the social fabric of our future generations.

Corruption has caused more damage to society than what meets the eye. It has often been alleged that criminals often collude with prominent businessmen and politicians for material gain. This is detrimental to the nation’s security. Collusion between criminals and some enforcers will blemish the entire process of law enforcement.

Their equals are also corrupt

Studies on corruption have shown that wealthy and poor countries have attracted criminal gangs and corrupt officials. In some countries, criminal organisations have influenced law enforcement and politics.

Some countries are now in major chaos as a result of this collusion and it has become almost impossible to rectify the problems.

In many countries, the conviction of notorious gangs has led to the breakup of mobs and disturbances. Law enforcers and their families have been harassed, some even assassinated.

Studies have also shown that organised crime syndicates are able to protect themselves through many devious means – corruption of officials, physical violence against informants, threats against prosecutors, lawyers and judges, the use of lawyers to circumvent the legal system, and monetary contributions to political candidates.

In some countries, mob activities are so profitable that organised crime can afford to keep in its payroll government officials at various levels, including politicians and law enforcers, to influence the legal system in its favour.

In some situations, criminals are also able to establish ties with supportive officials who pass information to them about investigations and intended raids, and by making intentional mistakes in prosecutions, resulting in court cases being thrown out.

The corruption of officials is made easier by the fact that they are modestly paid and inclined towards temptation and, consequently, crime and bribery remain unchecked.

When officials are corrupt, they will make efforts to ensure that their equals are also corrupt. An honest officer will unfortunately come under harsh pressure from them.

Why is the rise in smuggling, peddling and abuse of drugs and the number of addicts going unabated? Why is there a perpetual increase in illegal immigrants in the country?

Apparently, these pains in the neck are just impossible to be done away with because of alleged corruption involving some with authority in the country.

If this trend continues, it will bring about many other social ills that will impede the country’s economic growth.

“Mr 10%” politicians

The days before the 1980s was a time of a relatively corrupt-free system of management in the country. Officials were quite a dedicated lot who performed their duty with integrity. Many of these political leaders and officials had a fine education, and many were religious too.

Money politics was not heard of then. Not many politicians were hauled to court for corruption. The notorious “Mr 10%” politicians were rarely heard of. Businesses flourished without having to bribe politicians and the authorities.

Profit margins on government projects were set very low as contractors did not have to bribe their way to get those contracts. Contractors did not have to bribe politicians to secure a project or pay for a politician’s wife and children’s overseas trips. Only capable contractors were given projects, of which there was minimum abuse.

If truth be told, the rot started in the early 1980s. Politicians started to become money-minded and seeing their leaders being corrupt emboldened the minions to do the same.

The people’s perception today is that the ruling political parties have done nothing much since the 80s to seriously rein in corruption. Corruption has become endemic, a social disease affecting almost every layer of society. It has become a fast-track mode to enrich oneself.

When politicians and authorities with power have limited accountability and when personal interests are prioritised, this weighs down the country’s progress. The corrupt, however, can never understand this altruistic value.

Our legal system has not reformed much either. Corruption cases take years to reach a verdict, which has further emboldened the corrupt to not take court cases seriously. Their lawyers know the loopholes in the legal system and they push for cases to be dragged on for years with lame excuses.

Within this period, the government will change and those who are involved in cases would have passed on. Cases can even be withdrawn during court hearings due to technicalities. The legal system in the country has not transmuted much to instil fear in wrongdoers.

Earnest politicians and officials

There was a time when those with religious values refrained from corruption, but today, the corrupt in the country include even those with religious backgrounds. There are politicians and officials with religious backgrounds, yet they have been implicated with corrupt practices.

The people need politicians who can show sincere and intense conviction when elected – officials with nobler thoughts and a morally sturdier frame of mind that can help develop a better Malaysia that is free of corruption.

Politicians who have the moral courage to say no to corruption are those who should be given the nod by the voters.

This time around, the people should vote for a government that can instil patriotic fervour in the masses to safeguard the country from being blackmailed by criminals and the corrupt.

Corrupt politicians and their lackeys should never be part of these deals. Voters should look forward to a government that will see to it that corruption is expunged from politics, business and the social fabric of our society. They should hold fast to this belief when they next choose a government. - FMT

Moaz Nair is a FMT reader.

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