Overcoming the country’s corruption and cartel syndrome

By Jason Loh

 

CARTELS are a way of life in Malaysia. They are a “normal(ised)” part of our society and culture in that without corrupt practices and bribery, our economy – both licit and illicit/semi-licit – wouldn’t thrive as they are and pulsate with the vibrancy that we have become accustomed to.

Simply put, without complicity and collusion by rogue enforcement officers and officials aiding and abetting the lawbreakers, there’d be no cartels in the first place.

Rogue or immoral enforcement officers (high-, middle- and low-ranking alike) are on the take from the mobsters, gangsters, and scammers in exchange for protection and cover-up.

Perhaps, the most famous example of the nexus between organised crime and the rogue law enforcers would be the Macau scam involving the infamous Nicky Liow.

The mastermind and ringleader is still on the run and – with the connivance of certain individuals from the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) – has fleeced off hapless victims of their life savings to the combined tune of billions every year.

As it is, cartel-type activities flourish because of their implicit or tacit approval from the higher-ups.

This can only happen because the political elite/masters manipulate and exploit the State security apparatus and government machinery for their own personal interests masquerading as the agenda of the rakyat.

Abuse of power precedes institutionalised corruption which the cartel syndrome embodies.

The political masters, thereby, set the negative or debilitating example to the civil service and administration, including the security and law enforcement services, to follow.

The moral enervation starts from the top, as we all aver, while the cartel culture is grounded in the political culture of the nation.

Cartels could take root when, for example, the political elite make use of the security personnel to detain a politician who’s become a persona non grata (i.e., someone who’s fallen out of favour and become an outsider to the establishment) on trumped up charges.

Another example would be when the political elite allow corruption to thrive as a means of securing support (‘carrot’) and at the same time a tool to ensure subordinates toe the line (‘stick’).

So, instead of nipping the problem in the bud, the files containing the transgressions of allies and subordinates would accumulate – ready to be used someday, if need be.

Therein lies the origins of the cartel culture which can be likened to the cause of a cancerous outbreak resulting in the formation (metastasis) of a malignant tumour which, precisely, can be hidden until it’s too late (reached an advanced stage) or infarction i.e., the reduction or obstruction of blood supply to an affected area because of bacterial infection (sepsis) that finally results in gangrene (death of the tissues).

In both cases, the condition can be terminal (fatal).

The corrupt practices of administrators and enforcement personnel simply mimic the behaviour of the political masters in their own way.

Not to mention too when religion is misused in the most cynical and disgusting way to justify the hypocrisy and double standards of the political masters.

In fact, the mindset has changed to uncritical/mindless acceptance of corruption among some government officials, so that it’s in some sense institutionalised and widespread, as a commendable and laudable way of life.

Values then are inverted and perverted – from the top.

At the end of the day, overcoming the cartel syndrome within our society requires more than just the political will. Even if there’s a move towards a new political order, our government simply can’t do it on their own.

There has to be what the Rasuah Busters movement means by character-building (#NilaiMoralKarakterBangsa). That is, the reformation (reformasi) not only of the system and institutions but of moral character also.

We can no longer rely on our leaders alone to fight the scourge and menace of corruption – even as the cartel syndrome is too intertwined in the political and administrative system itself.

Overcoming the cartel syndrome would require a concerted ground-up approach and reforms that unites all Malaysians across ethnicity, religion and social background in a never-ending struggle.

Practically speaking, moral reformation would have to start from within ourselves first – the personal dimension.

And this applies to all political leaders, irrespective, since they are supposed to be exemplars. And, by extension and inclusion, the administrators and law enforcement officers across the ranks too.

Attitudes have to change from acceptance and normalising of corruption as way of life to total rejection and renunciation. Cognitive dissonance that’s unhealthy or rooted in immoral self-interests have to be de-legitimised.

“Cash is king” must be seen for what it is – not a necessary evil as a fact of life but an evil that must necessarily be resisted and overcome.

Hopefully then, we might gradually but steadily see a shake-up and breakthrough that’s both unprecedented and sustainable. – July 9, 2021

 

Jason Loh Seong Wei is Head of Social, Law & Human Rights at EMIR Research.

The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia

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