CitizenNades’ response to Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam on MACC’s neutrality

March 16, 2009

www.sun2surf.com.my

No evidence of MACC’s neutrality, says CitizenNades

A DAY before members to the various committees of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Agency were announced, a journalist was asked: “Do you think it is an honour to be appointed to the committee?” “Of course it is an honour. Have you been appointed?”

“Yes. Come tomorrow and I will give you an interview.” Colleague Giam Say Khoon related this telephone conversation to office-mates three weeks ago and was asked: “Did you do the interview?”

“I was covering Parliament and I told him to call the editors.” He never called because if anyone one of us had picked up the phone, this publicity-seeker would have gotten an earful.

A week after the names were announced, someone else called me to compliment me on a comment which I had made in one my columns on the MACC and its efficacy. “Don’t worry,” said the caller. “Since I am there, pass us the information. We will push for it,” to which my retort was: “I have lost faith in the MACC. Having supported its setting up, (and I make no apologies for it) I now discover it has become an arm of the political process.” That was a loaded comment and the response was muted.

Last Saturday, another member of the panel urged Malaysians to allow the MACC to do its work professionally without judging them unfairly. “The public must support rather than criticise and condemn. Judge them by their track record and give them a chance,” the NST quoted Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam as saying.

It did not end at that. Then, he dropped the most over-used statement which requires an honorary mention in that Book of Records: “If there is evidence, bring it but don’t criticise unfairly if there isn’t, because otherwise, the MACC can also be accused of abuse by taking action when there’s not enough evidence. It is a difficult position for them. They are damned if they do, and damned if they don’t. But everyone must always help and not hinder.”

No one will suggest that the president of Transparency International Malaysia has become an apologist for the MACC, but when investigations are carried out at break-neck speed for one section of the population while another section is perceived as protected, no amount of words can put the situation right.

The MACC, or its predecessor the Anti-Corruption Agency, has in files scores of reports of alleged abuse in land alienation by a former mentri besar. One big parcel of land ended up in the hands of a company controlled by teenagers and yet, we have not heard a whimper on the progress of the investigations for the past five years. And the deputy prime minister has reiterated that anyone making false reports or statutory declarations containing false statements would be charged. So, if the charges made in these reports are false, then charge those who made such reports.

Allow me to labour on this point for sake of wanting this issue to be viewed in clarity. If the alienation of land (at a fraction of market prices) meant for low-cost housing to the wife of former Port Klang assemblyman Datuk Zakaria Mat Deros is not abuse of power, what is?

What about a minister travelling the world over with a personal trainer in tow? What about inflated contracts being given out without following procedures? What about the police harassing this writer for exposing the wrongdoings of the wives of VIPs? What about the rombongan who got a state-owned company to pay for their trips to enjoy their second childhood – getting acquainted with Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck?

No, Tan Sri Ramon, the list is endless. What more evidence is needed then the Selangor State Assembly being told of the shenanigans of its state-owned company which doled out money and money’s worth to selected people? Surely, the answers to questions raised did not come from thin air.

The vouchers, the invoices, the receipts, the cheque butts and other relevant documents, fortunately were not shredded in the aftermath of the tsunami of March 8. They survived, thanks to inefficient mopping-up operations. No evidence?

This message is worth repeating. The MACC’s credibility has been undermined by a series of bloopers. Like Navaratnam’s predecessor at TI-M, Tunku Abdul Aziz said, it’s old wine in a new bottle. But all is not lost. The MACC cannot turn the clock back and start afresh. But it can act so as to change public perception. To do that, it must be seen to be independent, acting without fear or favour.

It must project itself as having no links to anyone including the prime minister and his deputy or any other VVIPs. In all fairness to Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said, she is innocent and she is right in saying that, as she has not been asked to give a statement to the MACC.

But her highly-publicised private visit to the PM’s residence accompanied by her father has set tongues wagging. For all we know, she is innocent, but people who saw pictures of her on the doorsteps of Sri Perdana will draw their own conclusions. The PM has repeatedly stated that he will not interfere with MACC’s operations and Azalina’s private visit may have nothing to do with the arrest of her aide who was in possession of RM70,000. But public perception is different. Many say that she went there to seek his help with “her problems”. I don’t believe the PM will stop the MACC from doing its job. “The law must be allowed to take its course,” he was quoted as saying.

People form opinions based on what they digest from various sources. We cannot compel them to change their perceptions. Good perceptions of the MACC will come about only if the people read, see and hear the “good side”. Otherwise, the meaning of the word has to be changed.

R. Nadeswaran will continue campaigning for an efficient and independent machinery to fight corruption. He is editor (special and investigative reporting) at theSun. He can be reached at citizen-nades@thesundaily.com

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