Corruption fatigue

 

From JJ Singam

In what must seem to be becoming an alarmingly regular occurrence, yet another corruption-related scandal has burst onto the arena of both regular and social media.

This time it involves Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Azam Baki. It concerns shares in a public-listed company purchased in his personal trading account in 2015 allegedly by his brother but with his knowledge and permission, and which was subsequently transferred to the brother’s account.

This follows hot on the heels of other allegations that he has shareholding interests in other companies as well. A career anti-corruption officer dating back from 1984, he rose through the ranks and was MACC director of investigation in 2015 when this incident happened, and has since risen to the top as chief commissioner since 2020.

It is noteworthy that another chief commissioner of the MACC was also embroiled in a scandal in 2019 whereby allegations of interference in the infamous 1MDB case involving a former prime minister arose, and where he again allegedly was featured among others in nine audio clips of phone conversations in 2016 which were construed as possible attempts to manipulate information and exonerate the former prime minister.

Uproar and outrage… these would be among the emotions one would expect when the very institution that was created to weed out corruption and bring the corrupt to justice appears to become embroiled in matters that are embarrassing at best and potentially threaten the integrity and trust in the agency.

How such incidents can continue with seeming impunity even with five independent bodies tasked with monitoring the MACC and to ensure they walk the straight and narrow path is a wonder.

Letting off those with serious allegations hanging over them with a gentle pat on the wrist, a kiss on the cheek and “jangan buat lagi” (“don’t do it again”) hollow advice is just not right.

It diminishes the seriousness and intent of this institution which is the bastion against corruption, an ailment that afflicts the heart and soul of any nation and makes its citizens suffer the consequences.

However, it seems that the powers that be would treat this as another incident of little consequence, which will blow over and be forgotten just as many other corruption-related allegations involving big names have withered and disappeared into the annals of time.

Even the usually vociferous and ferocious political opposition parties which would clamour and make a very public outcry over such matters seem to be a pale shadow of themselves, in all probability a victim of political shadow plays.

Have we become so inured by the constant barrage of incidents of alleged improprieties by leaders and persons in high places, to the point of numb resignation and despair that nothing will change and that we have become helpless in the fight against corruption and injustice?

Are all the cards stacked against us the common people in a rigged game? That would be an ideal outcome for all those who do not think twice about dipping their hands into a honey pot that is not theirs, because in a rigged game all the odds are on their side, and they have zero expectation of being caught and punished.

There is a saying, “three things may not be long hidden: the sun, the moon and the truth”. It is my belief that the opposite of being inured and desensitised is happening, and there is a groundswell of dissatisfaction and public anger at these continued shenanigans and imbroglios.

As more and more Malaysians witness for themselves the widespread impact of corruption that affects the ordinary man and increasing education and exposure to all sides of each story through news and social media – especially among the younger members of society – breeds a better understanding of issues, the standard method of sweeping things under the carpet has less and less chance of success.

To all Malaysians, especially the youth of the land, take this quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes to heart – “a mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions”.

The time is ripe for all Malaysians to start taking pride in and to jealously guard the sanctity of our institutions such as the MACC and others which were founded to protect the nation against those people who would subvert these for their own selfish and vested interests.

The faster the current and future leaders of the nation recognise this, the better your chances of remaining or being replaced. Do not misread the pulse of the nation, and do not misjudge what the collective power of anger and disgust at the ever-increasing scale and frequency of misdeeds can do.

Failure to act on or collusion with wrongdoings is complicity and there is only one way to treat the entire lot, kick them all out at the earliest opportunity and replace them with people of real integrity. - FMT

JJ Singam is an FMT reader.

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