October 14, 2012
Who is to blame for graft?
By Datin Halimah Mohd Said*@http://http://www.thesundaily.my
VERY few of us can profess to be scrupulously clean in all senses of the word – physical, ethical or moral. In one way or another, we’ve had to compromise our integrity however we choose to define the concept. Yes, few among us are saints who can claim to be whiter than white.
For most, there might have been instances in our lives when we could not walk the straight and narrow; there would have been occasions when we told a white lie or slanted an argument to preserve peace and harmony. They say every man or woman has a price, that is humans are corruptible, if not in their bodies at least in their minds and hearts.
People perceive something as the truth and will swear they have spoken the truth and nothing less, but even in a court of law we know that this is open to interpretation. We may lay out the bare facts and evidence but their validity is interpretable by judges, lawyers and laymen alike. Beyond reasonable doubt may be determined by legal minds but the truth beyond all doubts is the prerogative of the Almighty alone.
As succinctly expounded in one theory of communication and cognition – Relevance (Sperber & Wilson 1986) – the human mind has the greatest capacity for interpreting the information it receives from the immediate context against the huge knowledge repertoire embedded in its recesses.
The more information and knowledge it has, the more the potential for interpretation as it tries to make sense or cognise, often selecting a particular line of logic or reasoning. Even pure sensory input is interpreted, hence “corrupted” by the mind.
An explanation in cognitive terms is that whether the mind processes information in real or delayed time, it is selective and foregrounds the interpretation that is most relevant to it, which will provide it with the most relevant meanings and implications.
On the communicators’ side, they can wilfully select what they think are relevant and articulate it convincingly as the “truth”. Among the professionals, lawyers take this mental versatility seriously, making it their business to interpret the law in pursuit of their client’s interests. Some, as we know, have literally gotten away with murder. Ordinary people are more susceptible to their personal perceptions and will argue for them, however skewed the arguments may seem to others.
Simply put, faced with the vicissitude of life’s demands and the multitude of variables in society, the potential for self-interpretation is tremendous and more often than not overwhelms the search for fairer and more objective “truths”, if not absolute truth. These days everyone seems to have an opinion about what they consider as the truth, and the opinionated among them sometimes succeed in brandishing it as God’s truth.
For instance, interpretations of what constitute societal corruption are as many as there are crimes against society. Many consider accepting bribes as a despicable crime of corruption that has far-reaching implications for society. They demand that the offenders be tried for their crimes and meted out due punishment.
The outcry is for the “big fish” in the public and private sectors to be caught and made examples of, so that their smaller fishy subordinates in the organisation will not commit similar acts. The oft-quoted case is where low-ranking police constables audaciously admit to taking bribes because they say their superiors right up the ranks are accepting bigger “ang pows” from the underworld.
Fair and logical reasoning provides another interpretation of bribery – that there cannot be takers if there are no givers in the first place, so people who offer bribes must be as liable to prosecution as those who accept them, no matter which party initiates the transaction.
The answers to the question of who is to blame and who is responsible in the war against corruption must be prioritised lest it be turned into another vicious circle of finger-pointing. The big fish who takes huge bites of the bribery bait must be as relentlessly pursued as the little ones enjoying the smaller bites. The abuse of power by government officials and those they do business with at the expense of public interest must be seen as societal corruption of the highest order.
Honesty, uprightness, ethics and morality are among the virtues explicated in all religions and they must be prioritised over and above material development. It is the responsibility of every Malaysian to imbue these values in their lives at home, in the organisation and among the community.
Don’t just point fingers at the authorities when things go awry or when corruption becomes rampant in the nation. Ask yourself who really are to blame; who are the real offenders? The anti-corruption war will succeed only if you are prepared to walk the straight and narrow and fight corruption. This is an interpretation of a societal “truth” that must be taken seriously.
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*Datin Halimah Mohd Said serves as Advisor to MACC and is President of Voices of Peace, Conscience and Reason Association.
Datin Halimah must learn to accept that our leaders are corrupt and that corruption at the top is rampant and has reached epidemic proportions. Merely spinning is not good enough. As MACC advisor, she should be ensure that the MACC investigates Taib Mahmud, Musa Aman and other political bigwigs. These types are the real offenders.
We are not pointing fingers, but are merely demanding that the MACC does its job without fear or favour. Right now, it is toothless when it comes to dealing with those in power.Maybe our laws are archaic.I hope she responds to my comment, if she has the time to read this blog.–Din Merican
MACC must be proactive and pursue vehemently all allegations of corruption be it a small amount or billion dollars. Getting a conviction is secondary but investigating and prosecuting is utmost. This is to send a message to all and sundry, If you are involved in corruption, as a giver or taker, we will come after you.
Don’t just call the person in for s coffee chat. Launch an intensive investigation. Subpoena bank accounts, get deposition and follow all leads. Don’t be too quick to say no evidence exists while private individuals like Rafiza have been able to track sales records as far as Singapore.
Don’t just try to whitewash corrupt individuals.
You are what I call ” Makan Gaji Buta” as Advisor,what is it that you advice,don’t give me that crap about White Lie n all that Jazz,we are but Humans,if you are so smart,than look at the Bigger Picture,you don’t have to write articles like this,I’m not doing my Masters thesis,perhaps you figure after this article,you’d deserve a Senatorship,more pencen perhaps,if you are reading this comment,Datin Halimah,
I’d suggest,next time before giving “Advice” to MACC,look deeply at yourself in the Mirror and do what I Iately now do, I try to tell a little less lie today and perhaps improve later on,less n less Insha Allah,tak de Pencen pun,I’m doing it for Him up There,perhaps one day you’ll understand.Oouch!!!
Din,totally agree with you.If Najib is serious about fighting corruption,he should place MACC under Parliament. KPK in Indonesia under Parliament.They are doing better than us in fighting corruption.
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Hamid,
The Indonesians are serious about fighting corruption.MACC is just playing wang kulit. That is why I asked Abu Kassim to step down and for a total revamp of MACC.
I met Professor Anwar Nasution who was the former Auditor-General at the Penang Institute Conference on Clean Government last July. I was the moderator of the session where he was one of the speakers.
Professor Anwar told me that as a result of his audit and with the cooperation and support of the Anti-Corruption Agency he was able to put some powerful individuals connected to Suharto in gaol. The only way to fight corruption is to make an example of the powerful who are corrupt, he said. “Jangan takut apa yang benar, Pak Din. Buat apa yang perlu untuk negara sendiri” was his message to me.–Din Merican
Din, whilst I agree with you that MACC is playing wayang kulit, asking for Abu Kassim to step down wouldn’t make any difference. Yes total revamp is what we need and this is where Hamid is right, MACC needs to be answerable to parliament. But alas Mr. Hamid, if you expect Najib to do that, its only wishful thinking. Najib and gang will never free MACC from their influence unless they themselves are prepared to be guests of Sungai Buloh prison.
Like it or not, for now a change of government is the only solution. We’ll take things from there.
There are always two side of the coin. When there is a demand supply must be in abundant. It is all about greed, nothing but plain greed. But Malaysia government has cultured it, justified it and it has became a daily affair of Malaysia.
For every business, “commission = corruption” is taken into the account. If not you will tend to lose out. Period.
Who are the ” government officials and those they do business with”?
They are in the ministries (political leaders included – BN and PR), in the government departments and agencies (Federal, states and local governments), the financial institutions, in the business and private sectors, in the building and construction industries, in the import and export business (registered and unregistered, legal and illegal business). They are some of our rakyat, our citizens and foreigners. They are among our community and society and in our neighbourhood.
So we as the rakyat and citizens must help ourselves, our country, our MACC to get rid of corrupt people among us.
To help is to give the correct information, to be a witness to the Police, MACC and a gtruthful witness and to give eviidence in Court.
Talking and talking and writting and writting and giving advise year in and year out is of no use – useless, wasting time, money, efforts and energy.
No more excuses.
First generation PAP leaders in Singapore managed to clean up graft
very quickly by taking strong action after coming to power.
Former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, who was Singapore’s first Prime Minister, wrote a preface for the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau 60th anniversary commemorative coffee table book. Here is the full text:
“In a region where corruption is endemic, Singapore has remained clean. From 1959 when the PAP first formed the government, we have stamped out corruption. The challenge is to keep corruption free. We have to rid our society of greed, corruption and decadence. When I became Prime Minister in 1959, my mission was to establish a clean and efficient Government against the back drop of a corruption-ridden region. We set up systems and processes to ensure that every dollar in revenue was properly accounted for: we sharpened the instruments that could prevent, detect and deter instances where discretionary powers could be abused. The Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) which was under my care has succeeded in keeping the country clean.
The CPIB was established by the British in 1952 to tackle the increasing corruption. However little was done because the CPIB lacked the necessary resources and legal powers. When I took over in 1959, I strengthened the laws and the organisation of CPIB.
We tightened the law on corruption. Wealth disproportionate to a person’s earnings would serve as corroborative evidence when a person is charged for corruption. The CPIB was placed directly under the Prime Minister. And if the Prime Minister were to refuse giving his consent for the CPIB to make any inquiries or to carry out any investigations into any person including the Prime Minister himself, the Director CPIB can seek the concurrence of the President to carry on with the investigations. In other words, nobody is exempt.
Over the years, Singapore has established an effective anti-corruption framework. Leaders must be above suspicion. They must insist on the same high standards of probity of their fellow ministers and of the officials working for them. We do not tolerate corruption. CPIB has since developed a formidable reputation for its thorough and fearless investigations. The bureau has successfully dealt with a number of corrupt senior government officials including Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior civil servants and prominent businessmen. This is testament to CPIB’s independence. The bureau can discharge its duties in a swift and sure, but firm and fair manner”
It is now crystal clear that all our government interests are to spin and justify what corruption is and is not. These PR companies must be laughing all the way to the banks at the expand of tax-paying Malaysians who are struggling to make end needs.
Their moral, ethics have gone to the dogs and have no shame for their actions. You just want to throw out every time they twisted and turned their words to justify all means for their action. Worst still, they have the balls to even trying to educate us using prominent, less “tinted” personal like Datin Halimah Mohd Said.
With due respect the author by doing so she put herself in a position for speculations of her intentions and purpose for such article. Having the article published in the mainstream media when the election is around the corner said the obvious.
Being the advisor she should highlight the mis-giving of MACC which is obvious beyond reasonable doubts and raise recommendations to further strengthen the image of MACC rather than blurring the already milky water. Lastly, the advisor of MACC should pick up some advice from BERSIH Chairlady on the true meaning of fighting a good fight on corruptions and not take pot-shots as and when deem beneficial to the BN government.
“Don’t just point fingers…” Is the writer really serious when she writes such stuff?
Graft, corruption are best tackled with truly independent watchdog mechanisms. With democracy itself in the doldrums and caught with its pants down, I can see no other way than to have watertight regulation.
In our part of the world I believe Hong Kong was the best example of a state that managed to get its house in order with the introduction of strict oversight. Wonder how they are doing now.
Fighting corruption must come from the very top and there is no half-way measures. Closer to home Singapore and Hong Kong, further afield Finland and New Zealand among others provide more than ample evidence of how they do it. The bottom line is there must be the political will and the rest are relatively easy to implement.
If all Malaysians are serious about combating corruption, let us set aside the politics of corruption and then critically look at Penang post-2008 and how the state administration fares. Is it more corruption or less corruption in the state? How transparent is the collection and disbursement of public money?
As widely known and documented, corruption is a complex issue with deep roots in the evolution of society. Where power resides, there rests the corruption of power. It is as old as when human beings started to interact with one another. From hunting and gathering societies to agrarian to post-industrial societies to present day the challenges are enormous. Some societies (and governments) collapse when corruption becomes endemic and civilisational history is littered with these episodes.
So I appeal to all to decide wisely the coming GE 13.
Datin this is suitable for ‘a title’ for aPHD thesis. You are making a mockery of ur ‘experience’ and ur now ‘title’!!! You should be explaining why those big fishes escape the MACCs net? What were the big fishes doing right…so that we canlearn from successful people. Isnt that the mantra now?
Her defence of Corruption still does not beat the one expounded by the leaders of India. It goes like this. Recently A. Hazari went on a fast against corruption. As the movement gained momentum, in the Indian Parliament the buzz was how can we allow, in this mother of all democracies, the will of one man to dictate the legislative agenda of the Supreme Policy Making Body. As an adivisor to MACC surely she should be able to top that.
We need people with a wider pespective to sit on the Boards of Government insttitutions. We still do not get it and are unable to see the elephant in the room. Whatever our attitude may be for or against corruption and how public funds are spent, or should I say wasted, we must be claer that the only way we can achieve some kind of equity in this country is by attacking cronyism and empowering our young citizens.We clearly need to embark on building a system of government in which the Insitutions of Government will be stong enough to resist the temptation to channel money into corruption. For this we have to establish an education system that will ensure a Race To The Top and not a Race To The Bottom. That means we place people with strong commitment and dedication coupled with intergrety in positions of responsibility where they can and must be held accountable by the Rule of Law. In this regard, there is an urgent need to channel funds into a education system based on quality that will produce the best to occupy positions of power in this country rather than spending our resources to fund institutions that are unable to do the job that they have been designed.
after all the mumbo-jumbo, is the writer trying to say that the corruption that are so rampant in our country is caused by the giver ? what a joke, we are not born yesterday la. if this is the type of advisor that MACC has, this country is damned , kaput !!!
What a load of hot air. The bit that got under my collar was…
“Simply put, faced with the vicissitude of life’s demands and the multitude of variables in society, the potential for self-interpretation is tremendous and more often than not overwhelms the search for fairer and more objective “truths”, if not absolute truth.”
That was supposed to be a sentence, simply put.
She has a right to take her stand.
Oh?! She’s squatting.
Fair, logical, morality, ethics and honesty (i don’t know what she meant by ‘uprightness’, sorry..) is easily turned on it’s head by relativism? There will be takers without givers? That’s like the Chicken and the Egg. As absurd an argument as possible.
Is she trying to confuse by hiding behind big words and complicated sentences? Not admitting the government is the enabler is just funny to me. Doesn’t the buck stop with you?
“We may lay out the bare facts and evidence but their validity is interpretable by judges, lawyers and laymen alike. Beyond reasonable doubt may be determined by legal minds but the truth beyond all doubts is the prerogative of the Almighty alone”
Halimah anak Pak Said, what crap are you talking about?? How the heck did you get to become advisor to the national investigative agency?
In a piece about Singapore it says “… nobody is above the law…” THAT is the secret of stamping out corruption. An anti-corruption body that nobody can touch.
PS. It is now a long time that I have heard such drivel on the subject of corruption. And Oh my God up to now I thought that we only had officers who did not know the market prices of goods and services giving out government contracts. But we now have a person who is unable to see the woods for the trees as far as abuse of public funds and corruption is concerned as advisor to MACC.
What do you expect from someone who runs aorund in the circles with BN wives and leaders? backbone?. She is on their side. This is spin.
Is she going to blame this one on the West as well?
So you are saying the community has to get it right first? Bull. You are the leaders, you need to set the exemplary example. Dont BS. Spin spin and more spin. Then go to mecca for haj right?
This woman has apparently lowered the bar by changing the narrative on corruption. She should be given ten strokes of the rotan on her naked butt witnessed by four male Muslim witnesses as prescribed by syariah law. What say you guys??
Dear Mr Bean,please excuse me for not wanting to be 1 of the 4 witnesses,I just can’t bear looking at her old butt,if only she was much2 younger,prettier or sexier than perhaps I’m ever willing to volunteer, well at least I’m telling the truth,Oouch!!!
I agree with Pok Li, when the leader is corrupt whether in private companies or government, no internal audit or anti corruption agency can be of much help. The only way out is a change of government. Hopefully a new clean leadership can start a clean and efficient government.
I’m honoured that the esteemed blogger Din Merican and his equally honourable commenters have put aside time to read my piece and to contribute their thoughts on corruption. This is great but as usual, there are the cynics and sceptics who hit below the belt and condemn everything that other people try to write or do, even to the point of making personal attacks. I’m sorry you have this bad attitude!
Let me state categorically that I’m not defending corruption and those of you who think I am have misunderstood my intentions in the article. In writing my column (fortnightly in The Sun) I represent my personal analysis of socio-cultural matters and try to understand why certain phenomena exist, and what might be the underlying causes. Except for my own field of academic expertise – language and linguistics – I’m a layman like most of you.
I uphold the principle that if I do not have expert or informed knowledge I will not point fingers or make wild accusations about this and that. If I have information, I will report it to the highest authority for the matter to be investigated. I take my official appointments seriously and make my views known in the relevant quarters without fear or favour. I’m not free to divulge official/ confidential matters on your blog Din Merican, or any other public space.
I’d like to challenge Din Merican and his commenters to declare themselves corruption free in all senses of the word. Are you really morally, scrupulously clean?
I’d like to challenge all of you to declare that you have an unblemished life and that you uphold the highest level of integrity – and prove this please!
I’d like to ask what you yourselves do/ did in your various careers to resist and fight corruption. Corruption has not suddenly emerged; corruption is age-old and you definitely are/ were part of the system.
I’d like to challenge you – if you dare – to form a Citizen Squad to fight the Anti-Corruption War and assist the MACC in this uphill battle.
Don’t point fingers! TAKE CHARGE! This is the point of my article!
Salams and PEACE – Halimah
As a responsible blogger Din Merican should be moderating his commenters and their comments more effectively – that is, by kicking the asses of the rude ones who make wild, unfounded accusations without having a clue what they are talking about.
Din Merican should be a leader in encouraging informed discourse and greater wisdom among Malaysians whose only battle cry in the anti-corruption war is “Get the big fish!”.
What about you yourselves honourable commenters – the little fishes and the ikan bilis who are swimming in the sewerage of corruption?
What did you do Din when you were in Bank Negara, Sime Darby and when you were married to or had liaisons with all those women? Allow me to hit below the belt too! I am after all a puny Malaysian!
COME ON!
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Datin Halimah,
Liking women is not a crime. Instead of having one wife and a planeload of girlfriends, I marry all (4) the women one at a time within a span of 46 years, without any private liason or any illicit affairs. Can you vouch the same ? I was unfortunate in my last 3 marriages. Life is complicated and many people I know, respect, admire and look up to who have had extramarital affairs.
My life is an open book. Let me tell you that I have not taken anything that I am not entitled to since I was taught early in my career at Bank Negara by the late Tun Ismail Mohamed Ali that integrity and honesty matter.
I have always stood my ground on issues of principle and was often penalised for being forthright in my dealings. When I served with Sime Darby, I took positions that had caused me a lot of heartaches and frustrations. But I did what I had to do even when that affected me financially, even to the extend of denying my rights to their shares option scheme. Who nabbed Abdullah Ang for cheating Sime Darby and risked the country relationship with China? What did I get for standing up for the majority and minority share holders? Today, we have of a young executive in Sime Darby given her share option for “outstanding work”.
Anyway, Datin Halimah, compare me to some of your wealthy friends and you know I lead a modest life. I own nothing except books and the clothes I wear.
My commenters are free to speak their minds.That is why I have not moderated your comments or deleted them. But I have deleted comments that were beyond the bounds of decency. If you think, you are doing your job, that is fine and good luck.
I am entitled to my opinion that the MACC is a dysfunctional organisation. Maybe it is due to their “archaic laws” that they can’t find grounds, for example, to charge the Chief Minister of Sarawak for his ill gotten wealth. Conduct an independent survey to know what the members of the Malaysian public think of the MACC.–Din Merican.
And distinguished commenters – if you solicit money from your friends and family, and then disappear without paying your debts that’s corruption too in my book!
Official corruption may be BIG in Malaysia but private, unofficial corruption is HUGE! The TAKERS may be people in authority but the GIVERS are all of you!
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Most of my distinguished commenters and readers here are anti- corruption.It is not merely a slogan or a name tag like some of our public servants who are wearing on their sleeves. We are here to show support, and are trying to put an end to corruption. Corruption is a serious societal disease and should be eradicated everywhere we see them. In China, those who found guilty of corruption are shot by a firing squad.
What you mentioned here are basic. We should start within ourselves first. I agree with you that soliciting money from your friends and family, and then disappear without paying your debts that’s corruption too in yours and their book as well.
As an Advisor to MACC and President of Voices of Peace, Conscience and Reason Association, you confessed that Official corruption as BIG in Malaysia but private, unofficial corruption is HUGE! The TAKERS may be people in authority but the GIVERS are some of us who cannot do business they bribe those who make the decisions to award contract. Do you know the archaic MACC law can only nab one , either a taker or a giver. Who is a bigger sinner: the taker or the giver? I hope you could use the power entrusted to you to fight and remove this malignancy from the society.
International law reforms should apply here. As you can see of late our BNM, MACC and A-G have refused to collaborate with corruption agencies of other countries when it involves Malaysian politicians and their cronies, e.g the Musa Aman case in Hongkong. We can no longer turn a blind eye to what makes the wheels turn on our shores.– Din Merican
AND I bet the commenters who hide behind fancy pseudonyms to attack people are much uglier than me, that’s why you don’t want to reveal yourselves.
I have a better suggestion Din Merican – why don’t you register yourselves with the ROS as a veritable Association of People Against Corruption so your voices will be heard at an official level.
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Datin Halimah,
I learn early in life that we cannot please everyone.People will say a lot of things about us, not even knowing our background and exposure. Just do what is right always and time is a great equaliser. Salams.–Din Merican
A key point:
“The answers to the question of who is to blame and who is responsible in the war against corruption must be prioritised lest it be turned into another vicious circle of finger-pointing. The big fish who takes huge bites of the bribery bait must be as relentlessly pursued as the little ones enjoying the smaller bites. The abuse of power by government officials and those they do business with at the expense of public interest must be seen as societal corruption of the highest order”