THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) chief commissioner Datuk Seri Azam Baki recently declared that the corruption level in the country was alarming but it is “not yet a pandemic”.
“This is like the doctor telling you that your cholesterol level is high but don’t worry, it’s not fatal yet,” my companion explained to me sagely.
The over-the-top comparison drew laughter, but the absurdity of both statements stayed with me for the rest of the night.
Corruption has been a thorn on our sides for years, if not decades, but things undoubtedly took a turn for the worse in the recent years when an increasing number of corruption cases were brought to the fore.
What made the entire thing worse was the fact that several prominent figures, including businessmen and political figures, were arrested and charged with corruption, among many other things.
More recently, the MACC said it has crippled a ‘project cartel’ believed to have monopolised 354 tenders from several ministries and government agencies since 2014, involving projects worth a whopping RM3.8 bil.
That was an astounding achievement that could only be achieved with the help of insiders within the government ministries, departments and agencies.
In this case, logical assumption has it that large amount of monies were paid to the insiders who had links much higher up, including political leaders.
Still not convinced how serious of a ‘pandemic’ the situation truly is? Let me give you another example: Malaysia, in the Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2020, dropped six spots to 57th position among 180 countries.
Within ASEAN, Singapore is in top position (3rd) followed by Brunei (35th) and Malaysia (57th). The only country from Asia to be in the top 10 list is Singapore. Above us in terms of ranking are Uruguay (21st), Botswana (35th), and Rwanda (49th).
Has the dread – and the gravity of the situation – finally sunk in yet?
The idea of corruption existing so high up in the food chain – and involving billions of ringgit – should have been a cause for serious concern from the start. Why must we only sit up and take action only when the corruption levels become a ‘pandemic’?
And so, rather than telling people that the corruption level is not yet at a critical level, MACC should be doubling down on their efforts to root out corruption from all levels of the society.
In fact, they should be taking action right now, before the country reaches a point of no return. – April 21, 2021
