THE misuse of public money by the government must stop at all costs.

The political class and the elites clearly have a monopoly on determining how the rakyat’s money is spent.

The instinct of the political class is to spend money on what they perceive to be populist, not on what makes the most sense in economic terms.

Maybe it is time the country considers and puts together a committee comprising eminent entrepreneurs, public figures and credible corporate leaders representing different sectors of the economy and strata of society to advise the government on its expenditure.

These are people with a wealth of experience in managing large sums of money and who are not constrained to vote buying.

Let corporate leaders, eminent entrepreneurs and public figures have a say in how public money is spent.

To address potential conflict of interests with corporate leaders and entrepreneurs and the businesses or sectors they helm, measures can be put in place to address any such situation should it arise.

Corporates pay the most tax and also support the population by providing lots of jobs and thus they should have a say in the governance of the country on how the taxes they pay are spent.

Tax revenue remains the single largest source available to politicians and civil servants to pilfer.

And where does this money go to?

We have no infrastructure worth the monies the government claims to have incurred to built it, no security for the average Malaysian, lack of health coverage for ordinary Malaysians and why even with the change of government in 2018, nothing changed for the rakyat.

It is as if a non stop lavish banquet is available and the elections only change the side from which they eat from.

Does the government have the guts to take this bold move?

Right now, a lot of Malaysians are ashamed of their government. The corporates may be driven by profit motives but most of them realise that a prosperous and well cared for population means better business and more profits for them.

On the other hand, all politicians have a vested interest in keeping the people backward, poor, illiterate and embroiled in frivolous non-issues so they can be exploited as vote banks.

Many politicians use their positions to promote family businesses or the prospects of their family members.

Entrerpreneurs and corporate leaders obviously can’t be any worse than this.

Only a value based political system can ensure proper utilisation of public money as it will create a sense of accountability amongst the people’s representatives and government officials. This is sorely missing in our society and country.

As it stands now, all political parties are the same in their character, involved in various scams and misuse of public monies. Their lifestyles are like the rich and famous. They should learn to live a simple life, like a typical middle class family in Malaysia.

The only people who will doubt this suggestion are the politicians and those benefitting from corruption. – May 24, 2022.

FLK reads The Malaysian Insight.

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.