Weeding out corruption


The RM9 billion littoral ship scandal is not merely about grand corruption. It is the latest in a series of corruption issues that has plagued the nation, such as the BMF affair in the 1980s right up to the 1MDB and Penjana Kerjaya scandals in recent history.

The scandals show a common pattern in flawed decision-making from top to bottom, a lack of a rigorous monitoring mechanism, and an absence of transparency and accountability.

It takes a change of government to bring “untouchable” politicians to justice. 

There are hidden corporate sharks colluding with politicians and bureaucrats within the system who are functioning in the shadows and seldom exposed.

Was it not the change of government in 2018 that made it possible to charge Najib Razak, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and their cohorts with corruption?

Were the DAP officials and members of the Pakatan Harapan cabinet disliked and accused of being socialist by Dr Mahathir Mohamad because they would not entertain cronies who were looking for special privileges?

Could this have been the real reason the Pakatan Harapan government was toppled?

What is obvious is that corrupt politicians and bureaucrats continue to mask their wrongdoing under a mask of ethno-religiosity.

It is hoped that the politicians in the next general election will not talk merely about eradicating corruption, but a radical transformation of institutions of governance where the culture of graft is eradicated through firm leadership.

Getting rid of politicians and civil servants who are incompetent and corrupt at every level should be the goal of the administration.

The Association for Welfare Community and Dialogue urges Malaysians to vote out the career politicians who have been part of the culture of corruption and to demand accountability. – August 17, 2022.

* Ronald Benjamin is secretary for the Association for Welfare Community and Dialogue.

* 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.


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Comments


  • "....Were the DAP officials and members of the Pakatan Harapan cabinet disliked .....because they would not entertain cronies who were looking for special privileges?..."

    Remember how TP was chastised because he saved RM8bil of taxpayers' money?

    Power is too much concentrated in the executive. Did he also abused his power to cover up the "Sandakan Hotel" scandal?

    Posted 1 year ago by Malaysian First · Reply

  • Corruption=Malay-sians! There's only 1 ethinics species can decide this and not fall into the religious bigots self chest thumbbing reasonings to take bribe and be corrupted. Get rid of this bigots and our beloved Msia will tribe again.....or rather roar again. No racist leaders must be born again.....all these are in one ethinics races hands.....

    Posted 1 year ago by Crishan Veera · Reply