AMASSING a sizeable fortune in a few short years working as a civil servant is impossible unless, of course, the person is immensely fortunate — like winning a lottery or receiving a huge inheritance. However, when the value of the fortune is said to, maybe, touch RM300 million, even these avenues are hard put to explain the incredible luck. It is surely safe to assume that somewhere, there has been much hanky-panky. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has promised to unearth the depth of the corruption implicating two senior civil servants of the Sabah Water Department and two others arrested recently. And, a veritable can of worms with regard to standard operating procedure (SOP) is surfacing.
That an ex-federal minister and an incumbent at state-level, through whose ministries the allocation should logically come under, are pleading ignorance is a cause for public concern when the value of projects involved RM3.3 billion. How can huge sums of money be transferred to the state Water Department without any accountability? If not the ministers, than at least the ministries’ head honchos must have some idea. For the relevant ex-minister to glibly suggest that the Auditor General’s Report which revealed that 95 per cent of funds allocated to the ministry had been spent, then obviously there can be no graft, is just shocking. That is nothing but confusing. For, how can graft be revealed through the accounts when the modus operandi of corruption necessitates for all tracks to be covered?
There is plenty of hard evidence in this case: cash amounting to millions, sacks of jewellery, exclusive branded handbags, luxury cars, land titles and bank accounts with millions inside. Investigations are still ongoing regarding off-shore assets. Indeed, the biggest corruption case uncovered thus far is too mind-boggling for ordinary heads to wrap themselves around. And, too, there is a sense that these are amateurs playing the big boys’ game. For, who in their right mind will keep RM115 million in cash? People have been killed for much less. So, how is this possible? Is there an explanation for this “carelessness”? The MACC is expecting to charge many more as the investigation wears on, and it is attempting to find out the mode of execution. Presuming the fortune to be kickbacks, then honour among thieves must play a big role. Unless parties involved spill the beans, finding proof is difficult. Naturally then, the MACC is now more looking to prevent. Asking for a law that will oblige those with even the slightest knowledge to report the matter, on pain of two years’ imprisonment, is one of them. Demanding that government SOPs be clear and concise, and to be adhered to steadfastly, should be another. In this respect, politicians heading ministries, agencies and other appointments cannot be delegating to a point where abuse is rampant. They must hold public servants reporting to them accountable. In the Sabah water scandal, for instance, why are not the secretaries-general of the pertinent ministries held answerable? Are they not duty-bound to preserve honesty and integrity?