‘SAMETHINK’ paralysis is a common affliction among politicians and civil servants around the world. It is prevalent in the UK, US, India and other countries. Fundamentally, it refers to weaknesses of character when power is involved rather than an issue of race. The issues surrounding MACC chief Azam Baki perhaps illustrates this from a local perspective. 

I recall representing the Business Ethics Institute on the MACC Academy Committee. Meetings were held and attended by people from the establishment who were titled and distinguished. Notably I was of the minority species. Ninety-nine per cent of the others were distinguished Malay civil servants.

Proceedings would start with the minutes followed by presentations. Very rarely were questions posed. The institute objected and I resigned when the then attorney-general appointed someone from his chambers to be the next MACC chief commissioner. 

We thought that it should be someone promoted from within MACC. As it happens, events have proved that the AG’s choice was a bad one. The personal scandals that followed this individual’s appointment further affirmed the poor quality of his choice.

The institute’s protest letter and my resignation was sent to then chief secretary Ali Hamsa. No acknowledgment was received. We did not want to be a mere decoration on the committee. It was amazing to watch the culture of subservience that surrounds individuals with power.

I was thus not surprised by the revelations of Edmund Terrence Gomez. Now you have the MACC advisory board chairman Abu Zahar Ujang’s views being challenged by other members of the board. With their titles and positions, they rarely know how to be inclusive. Questions are perceived as threats.

The chairman was confident that no one would question his assertions for it is not in the nature of the culture that promotes “samethink” paralysis. In essence this is also feudal in nature. Edmund, being a professor, is used to questions and weighing issues. Without the antithesis to the thesis, one will never discover synthesis or clarity. 

While there are many Malaysians of all ethnic backgrounds who will speak out and take a stand, you will rarely see this breed in the ‘ketuanan Melayu” group. Their culture is to listen but not to question. By their silence they continue to condone wrongs.

Perhaps this is one reason Malaysians of other ethnic backgrounds are not represented in government-linked companies or the upper echelons of the civil service and important committees. When they are present, they are perceived as troublemakers because they question and raise issues. You can see this even in Parliament and parliamentary committees.

Imagine the freedom with which Najib Razak and Ahmad Zaid Hamidi did what that they did, believing that they could get away with it as they were confident no one would raise questions. This shows the depth of systemic corruption and the “samethink paralysis” that makes it possible. 

Today these two are facing very serious charges and this is very much due to the silence of many who condoned their actions and are even today still in government as ministers and walk the corridors of power. Many who were members of his cabinet and party also come from all ethnic backgrounds but this bacteria afflicts them all.

Today some have defected but has their character changed? It is said that if you spend more than two decades in government either as a senior civil servant or a ruling politician most will have no vertebras left in their bodies. They evolve into spineless selfish individuals.

The Azam issue in some ways is an illustration of this reality. He is strong because he is perceived to have information that could be held against powerful personalities in all sectors of government, the civil service and politics. Only those with clean hands and guts will stand up and speak up for justice. Where can you find this rare breed?

Why was MP Sivarasa Rasiah’s service centre called to the Sessions Court for an alleged corruption offence relating to events in 2017? Many will perceive this as power play by MACC thus highlighting possible misuse of power and position. Is this because the MP had raised in Parliament the issue of Azam’s substantial shareholdings?

Here is a MACC Commissioner who can even defy Parliament. If he had a moral compass and valued his sense of integrity he would have been open to an independent investigation. But he is clever enough to realise that his power only exists with his position and therefore stepping down to clear his name would perhaps be the first step out of the door. 

Corruption is endemic in Malaysia. Just consider the critical institutions of governance that have been plagued by this affliction. Bank Negara with its two previous governors both now under a cloud; one deputy governor unable to accept the compromises resigned because of his convictions. We do not know about the status of the former CEO of the Companies Commission Malaysia who also had to resign over issues relating to corruption. 

The same can be said of some of the earlier leaders of the Securities Commission, who had to resign citing conflict of interest issues. Let us not talk of the embarrassment to MACC itself when millions went missing and its own officers turned out to be culpable and were charged.

We have been informed of corruption within the police force by none other the former inspector-general of police. We have read of planes and equipment bought for the armed forces which never arrived. Regularly we have the auditor’s report highlighting juicy evidence of poor accountability and misuse of money and facilities.

Many of these are possible because of the endemic nature of “samethink” paralysis. If you speak out you lose getting titles, promotions, perks and other benefits. You have to sacrifice your spine and keep silent. If you speak out than you will be ostracized even within the community.  Alternatively you will find very little support.

Consider the case of retired Justice Hamid Sultan of the Court of Appeal and how the judiciary the cornerstone of our reflection of justice recoiled within itself and silenced him through the Ethics Committee. The sheer lack of commitment shown by judicial colleagues to support the courage of an individual in the interest of justice is alarming.

I have been one of those who believed that ‘reformasi’ was possible by joint action from within the nation. Increasingly I believe we need voices like the Sarawak Report, the international media, the US Department of Justice and Malaysian writers overseas to highlight the predicaments we are facing. 

We are on a slippery downhill slope and by the time we reach the depths we will be like Pakistan and Sri Lanka looking to the IMF or China to bail us out. Vested interests remain so powerful that self-interest and sheer preservation forces them to shut voices and trample on any form of dissent. 

If we are to consider the recent floods and landslides then deforestation is a critical issue. In some states this is a matter that involves royalty. So the problem continues and the people suffer while the rich elites plunder.

If you expose wrongdoings then cases are taken against individuals. Our Whistleblowers Act needs greater support for the whistle blowers. Many see wrong being done be it misuse of power, sexual exploitation, corruption, favouritism, cronyism and nepotism. Perhaps for some, race and “rezaki” justify their silence! 

We need independent voices with the courage to speak out and nail these elites who misuse their powers and this can only be done if we empower whistleblowers. How come groups like Abim and other Islamic groups are not doing more by standing up for Islamic values? Loyalty demands dissent failing which elites with power will sell the soul of this nation masquerading as patriots.

Many within the establishment do not want to do so and prefer “samethink paralysis” which is the breeding ground for so much of our present challenges. We now have groups referred to as “court clusters”. Imagine the power of the executive that over rides the notion of separation of powers. Having done so before on several occasions they believe they can do so again.

Our trust deficiency with institutions of governance, the judiciary, the executive and the legislature is deep because those who condoned the widespread misuse of power and wealth in the case of both Najib and Zahid still walk the hallways of power. Those who are today part of the “court cluster” seem confident that they can affect the scales of justice.

Neither vaccines nor boosters are going to cure “samethink paralysis”. If one were to read about the powerful impact that Islam had on the lives of Muhammad Asad or Malcolm X one wonders how this magic has been lost. Their transformation was inspiring.

Perhaps, as Imam Al Ghazzali said, the Islamic culture has been lost and people are merely going through the motions of worship and not seeking to transform themselves. Perhaps this can also be said of most people steeped in religiosity whatever their religious orientation.

As J.H. Leuba, an early religion psychologist, said “God is not known, not understood, but used”. In the final analysis, religion takes the blame for the weaknesses of people. – January 31, 2022.

* K. Haridas reads The Malaysian Insight.