I suppose different rules apply depending on your status and position. It is this type of behaviour that promotes cynicism amongst many about the seriousness with which corruption is tackled in the nation. The appointment was a further insult to MACC. Mr Chief Commissioner, if you are sincere and halal, than take on MO1 and show your sense of commitment.
As chairperson of the Business Ethics Institute of Malaysia (BEIM) I sat on the board of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Academy. The appointment was from the chief secretary of the government and this was an honour for BEIM. Having however lost confidence in the seriousness with which the issue of corruption was being addressed by the government, I resigned as to continue would be to condone what was going on.
It was only appropriate that someone from within MACC should have been promoted to the position.
Daily we hear news and accounts internationally relating to the 1MDB fiasco. A number of international banks have been closed and evidence given in the on-going case in Singapore just shocks one as to the scale of the fraud and exploitation. Yet in Malaysia neither has any board member, the adviser and others mentioned as MO2, MO3 and other officials been called to account.
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has very clearly enumerated in its 166-page report evidence relating to wide-scale money-laundering of money belonging to the nation.
While people in power and position can use their status to protect themselves as in this case, what disappoints me is that no one in the establishment sees any wrong. So many good people who know and understand the situation just keep quiet. One minister who stepped down had the guts to raise questions, as was the former deputy president and another vice-president of Umno.
A senior journalist resigned from the New Straits Times because he could not continue under the present circumstances.
Why do many more people not make a stand on issues so important and critical to the nation’s well being? To continue in silence is to condone and the time will come when they will themselves realise that they have sold their souls under the guise of loyalty to an individual. Surely there are higher loyalties as to one’s nation, the constitution, one’s conscience and to God. As is often said, “It is enough for good people to remain silent for evil to triumph.”
In today’s individualistic world is it all about ‘I’, ‘Me’, ‘Myself’ first and then everything else thereafter. It is amazing that Umno party members do not even realise that they are now participating in the early demise of their party. What is a party without a conscience and a purpose beyond ethnicity? If this is what they choose to remain then the end is not too far.
You may be a graduate from Oxford or Melbourne University or for that matter from any university, yet what is the value of your degree and qualifications if you continue to condone what is so blatantly wrong. Nearly a million people came out under Bersih 4 and 5 and made a statement. If the authorities continue to close their eyes to reality then they will be in for a shock.
Are our elections ‘halal’?
Further what is the point of winning elections and losing the popular vote? How can such individuals and parties continue with gerrymandering to win power? In a country where there is so much consciousness about things being ‘halal’, are our elections ‘halal’ if such practices are condoned? Just as justice used selectively is justice denied, similarly Islam applied selectively is unfair to what Islam represents. We need to call the bluff of such Muslims.
The same goes for all believers whatever be their faith. Is your belief a mere garment for you to wear and remove as appropriate? Or does your belief embody you with moral standards and values, principles and convictions which help engender an enlightened conscience that gives clarity to the issues that challenge us today? Beliefs if they do not inspire an inner transformation or fresh realisations are mere platitudes to impress others.
Lasting change ultimately comes from within. Neither ‘hudud’ nor an increase in punishment in terms of whipping, lashing or cutting hands will change an individual. There may be an element of fear but lasting change comes from the impact good role models and mentors provide.
It has to be learning from within. Otherwise it projects cruelty and a lack of compassion in today’s context. Punishments cannot replace good role models and PAS must address this singular failure for all their talk and preaching.
As is said, “Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible but man’s capacity of injustice makes democracy necessary.” When this is not even practiced within Umno as a party and office-holders can be dismissed with impunity, it all shows up for the lack of practice and substance. Such are the individuals who speak about moderation and democracy in our country.
So much gain is linked to being associated with the party leader. The cronies who sing songs in his praise are honoured with promotions. Others are just silent and through their silence condone what is being done. In the end whether a Marcos or a Suharto, Estrada or Mobutu, the time will come when such self-enriching leaders meet their end. These kleptocrats survive because many keep them alive blinded by their own self-interest and the ‘I Me Mine’ syndrome.
What say you Paul Low, the Integrity Minister?
When a leader is ready to sacrifice the nation and its ideals, his party and its conscience then the day is nigh when the end is a matter of time. So great is the scandal and so international is its outreach that the 1MDB debacle will swallow many in its last chapter. Then there will be many who will regret not standing up for their faith, convictions, their party and the nation.
Where is Umno’s sense of conscience?
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