There is a deeply entrenched web in Malaysia that must be unravelled if the nation is serious about combating corruption.
The “Madani” (civil and compassionate) government must battle against this matrix that has spawned a culture of rampant corruption.
At its heart is the insidious collaboration between politicians, business people and civil servants. They have not only damaged people’s lives but have caused the nation tremendous harm.
At the fulcrum of this matrix are business opportunists who wield the power of the ringgit. They bait opportunist politicians who subscribe to a Machiavellian philosophy. They also lure civil servants with ‘envelopes’ to expedite their requests.
It is a corrupt culture that has become so deeply rooted we have, over time, come to deem this unholy matrimony as ‘biasalah’ (the norm).
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If we are to free the country from this culture, we need to take the following measures.
First, the practice of businesses courting politicians must stop. Inviting ministers and MP to officiate at business functions is of no benefit to businesses. Perhaps such invitations are only extended to showcase influence or entice obligations.
Ban politicians from having business interests of any sort, either directly or through proxies.
Politicians and civil servants must choose: either serve the people or ship out and venture into business. There can be no middle path.
Second, civil servants must not become beneficiaries of the system but remain as servants of the people. They are paid to serve the nation, not to profit from business people.
Civil servants who intentionally cause delays to businesses for no good reason should be fired immediately. The same goes for those who only expedite paperwork and files involving business people when their palms are greased.
Transferring out guilty civil servants is not a mark of compassion. It may actually be perceived as condoning wrongdoing.
Third, businesses must be kept out of ministers’ offices. The systems and culture of good governance built over six decades are surely capable of dealing with business needs. That’s what standard procedures and the rule of law are there for.
Today, we see a growing number of charges and allegations being levelled on politicians and their cronies or proxies.
The deep wounds they have inflicted on the people are due to the authorities’ refusal or inability to disband the unholy matrimony between businesses, politicians and civil servants.
Hopefully, important quarters within the Madani government who realise the damage done will act to dismantle this diabolical alliance.
Trade unions, professional bodies and institutions committed to good governance and best practices must converge to pile on the pressure against this insidious matrix of business people, politicians and civil servants.
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
It starts with our ordinary mata mata, and City Council workers. No tip, no drains cleaned, no roads swept, no rubbish cleared. Chinese New Year coming and plenty of Red-packets to be distributed to the paid workers.