STRENGTH of connections – more popularly referred to as “cable power” in local slang – encapsulates how much business is typically conducted in Malaysia.
From government tenders to lucrative projects, ‘who you know’ is sometimes deemed more important than ‘what you know’. In other words, political patronage trumps relevant skill sets.
Hence it is extremely refreshing to hear a politician declare that nobody is above the law, including one’s own flesh and blood.
This was the case when Perlis Menteri Besar (MB) Mohd Shukri Ramli made statements in relation to Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) initiating investigations against his son over a case of false claims amounting to RM600,000.
‘Saya dah beri pendidikan, hukumlah anak saya jika dia salah’ https://t.co/6BqosrmhJV
— Malaysiakini (BM) (@mkini_bm) April 25, 2024
The 63-year-old three-term PAS state assemblyman for Sanglang further remarked that if his son is found guilty of any wrongdoings, he should be punished accordingly.
“This is the test I am facing and if my son is (proven) guilty, then punish him because I have given him education and knowledge,” asserted Mohd Shukri.
“This includes my officers whereby I’ve always reminded them over this matter; I’ve truly exhausted my efforts if they still got involved,” he pointed out in his closing speech of the 15th Perlis state assembly meeting yesterday (April 25).
For context, the MACC has arrested five suspects, including Mohd Shukri’s son, last Tuesday (April 23) in Perlis in connection with the forgery of documents.
These forged documents were used in making false claims for work that was never carried out. These involved repair work, maintenance, supply and service starting from 2022 until present day estimated to be worth RM600,000.
Mohd Shukri who was a former teacher further contended that he did not harbour any suspicions towards MACC and was confident that the graft buster would conduct a fair investigation into the matter.
“Once again I emphasise that my office is open 25 hours (at all times) a day for MACC inspections because I don’t want any irregularities to occur and let it be clean from bad elements,” he added.
Mohd Shukri’s stance has nevertheless sparked plenty of debate online given that public opinion of the justice system and enforcement agencies is at an all-time low.
Below is a sample of comments on Malaysiakini’s X (formerly Twitter) platform.
Some highlighted the perceived disparity in enforcement.
However, more than few demanded greater accountability, likening the statement to washing one’s hands of the issue.
Considering that this is a corruption case linked to a prominent politician, it is inevitable for many pro-Pakatan Harapan (PH) netizens to imply that something was rotten in the state of Perlis under PAS stewardship.
Suffice to say that at the very least, the MB had seen fit to offer co-operation with the authorities and openly state that punishment for legal wrongdoings is to be welcomed.
This is in stark contrast with politicians who claim of selective persecution and seemingly find ways to squirm out of their respective predicaments whether by way of house arrests or favourable court rulings of dismissal not amounting to acquittal (DNAA).
It remains to be seen whether justice will be seen to be dispensed without fear or prejudice in this case. But Mohd Shukri’s statement on transparency and equality before the law is to be welcomed. – April 26, 2024
Main image credit: Zunar Facebook
