The sudden resignation of political economist Dr Edmund Terence Gomez from the consultation and corruption prevention panel of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has raised grave concerns. Many civil society leaders have thrown their support behind Gomez. But not the PM.
The public are not naïve or stupid. People want efforts to clean up this nation, especially from corruption.
Source: https://aliran.com
Many had hoped the MACC would be the ultimate saviour. But this is not to be.
The MACC and the government have a tough job now. Unless the truth is upheld, Malaysia will sink further. A quick, honest admission and convincing, corrective action including suspension or resignation of the MACC Chief are the only means to improve public perception. Unless we face up to the truth, we will never enhance our country’s future.
Accountability has to be at all levels – at home, at school, at work or at play, we need to be accountable to our fellow citizens. When a society continues to shun public accountability, corruption extends and mediocrity rules. Look at our national football team, always pathetic. Why? No one is accountable except the head coach! We focus on form rather than substance. “Gaya mesti ada, isi takda takpe”
We are losing our economic advantage while our neighbours excel by harnessing diversity. We are fast losing our resources whether oil or timber and live off 5-Year Plans. The inequality gap remains yawning with Gini co-efficient at 0.4. With Covid and its effects more people from the middle class have dropped into the lower-income group.
Our national happiness index has plunged. Is happiness not the concern of those in the corridors of power?
We need to stop talking about fighting corruption and start acting decisively. Not two standards – one for the “rich and famous” and another for the “ikan bilis”.
We don’t need Task Forces, Commissions and Committees to tell us what went wrong. We need true leadership on ethics, integrity, accountability and principles. We need solid measures to change institutions not integrity units in the office of the CEO. We need people of the 60s or 70s to put in place the right values in schools, workplaces and institutions. We need a resolve to change course. We need to come together as never before to put the interest of each other and put away fears perpetuated by “narrow” politicians. Otherwise, we all know where we will end up and God forbid that!
Reference:
When custodians fail the people, is there still hope? JD Lovrenciear, Aliran, 8 Jan 2022
(https://aliran.com)
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