The latest dragnet investigation into the operations of the Ministry of Human Resources may not surprise many.
The feeling on the ground is that corruption has become such a widespread practice that it has become deeply entrenched in our culture. It is eating us up from within.
It is hard to believe we once aspired to rise meteorically ahead of our neighbours through the government’s “Vision 2020” drive in the 1990s.
But we failed pathetically.
With the 1MDB scandal still hanging over us, we now have to endure the latest thrust by certain powerful political lobbyists who are seeking a royal pardon for a certain convicted ex-prime minister.
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The nation’s future does not look bright.
Ongoing investigations of another ex-PM for alleged money laundering do not seem to have riled up the people enough for them to rise with demands to cleanse the nation of corruption once and for all.
It is a real shame for when sympathisers with legal suits, counter suits and police reports – all in defence of the alleged wrongdoers – keep gaining traction.
Many individuals holding great power, including those from the business sector, who are suspected of having thrived on corruption seem to be brazenly continuing with their treasonous practices.
It is difficult to figure out how the judiciary, the police and the anti-corruption commission are going to cope with the mountains of evidence being unearthed.
The mega-scale of these corruption cases affects the people’s daily lives in so many ways – soaring inflation, shortages of essential items, including government-subsidised goods, and declining standards of education and healthcare.
Many other areas of our public services have also declined, leading to unsatisfactory performance outcomes. Yet, there is no hint of any open revolt or rejection of the corrupt.
While it is easy to pin the blame for this malaise on the government of the day, the root of the problem lies with people’s attitudes.
Our third world mindset will not free us from this systemic corruption, as long as a majority of the people do not decisively reject corruption in all its forms.
AGENDA RAKYAT - Lima perkara utama
- Tegakkan maruah serta kualiti kehidupan rakyat
- Galakkan pembangunan saksama, lestari serta tangani krisis alam sekitar
- Raikan kerencaman dan keterangkuman
- Selamatkan demokrasi dan angkatkan keluhuran undang-undang
- Lawan rasuah dan kronisme
Will peiople comme onto the streets for an anti-corruption démonstration or a vast pétition campaign to root out corruption?