LETTERS: IT is frustrating sometimes to meet people who are apathetic to corruption, but it is worse when some justify corruption as a means of wealth distribution and to improve efficiency and growth.
The hard truth is told in a paper published in the Journal of Economic Perspectives by economist Jakob Svensson, who surveyed the literature on the economic effects of corruption, which can be severe.
Svensson also noted there is a strong negative correlation between the wealth of a nation and its level of corruption, and that corruption often harms the poorest in a society. And if not addressed, the nation’s economy will be “eaten away like termites devouring deadwood from inside”.
For years, Malaysians have grown used to paying bribes to get things done. Accessing basic services like schools, hospitals and even courts often requires a “sweetener”. But large-scale graft has always been a permanent feature in the political sphere.
A 2014 survey by Transparency International indicated that people saw “political parties as the most corrupt bodies in Malaysia, closely followed by the police and the civil servants”.
The new government has and will continue to ensure that corruption will be scrubbed off from our societal cogwheels. However, the war against corruption today has become more extensive and complicated. Globalisation has opened an international dimension for corrupt officials to create a network of deceit across the globe. The work to combat corruption must, therefore, also be global and networked.
The Global Organisation of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) is one partnership of the virtuous. It is an international alliance of legislators, working together to combat corruption, strengthen democracy and uphold the rule of law.
We work closely with a network of allied international institutions, including the United Nations, the United Nations Development Programme, Interpol, the World Bank and the Council of Europe.
While global legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms continue to be strengthened, these alone cannot combat corruption if we do not act at killing the roots.
To start off, we should learn from best practices of nations that have been successful and consistent in curbing corruption in their countries. GOPAC serves as a knowledge and best practices-sharing platform.
For Malaysia, one good example is our symbiotic neighbour that we share much history and culture with — Singapore, a country ranked third in the global corruption index.
My interactions with the republic’s political leaders, senior civil servants and community leaders helped come with up a four-pronged approach that Singapore adopted and which delivered results:
— Moral leadership;
— Sustainable remunerations;
— Strong enforcement; and,
— Clear governance system and processes.
MORAL LEADERSHIP
Leaders at the highest echelon must not only shout slogans against corruption but must walk the talk. As elected representatives of the people, they must be extremely “clean” with a non-corrupt lifestyle.
SUSTAINABLE REMUNERATIONS
Everyone has needs and families to support. We should remunerate our civil service officers and office bearers sufficiently to sustain their subsistence. National income should be fairly and reasonably distributed, hence reducing the need to seek beyond the official pay cheque. Performance should also be incentivised with financial returns. This will lead to a cycle of prosperity for all. Singapore’s civil service officers today are the highest paid in the region.
STRONG ENFORCEMENT
Everyone must know and see that the government is serious in applying the rule of law and enforcing it. The higher the position, the stiffer the penalty. It is not a witch hunt, but those guilty must be dealt with as per the provision of the law.
CLEAR GOVERNANCE SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES
This must be implemented to catch financial aberration or malpractice. There must not be shortcuts. Regular audits must be carried out.
Technology should be used to strengthen transparency in areas like procurement and financial transactions. Systems like online tender bidding and electronic payments allow a strong and clear audit trail to be built in.
I am confident the government has the moral courage and capability to clean up our beloved nation of the corruption culture.
But we need the support of our fellow citizens to sustain the momentum and for Malaysians to reject any form of corruption — neither receive nor give. “Glocalise” our efforts against corruption down to every town, village and street.
DATUK HASANUDDIN
MOHD YUNUS
Public Accounts Committee
member, vice-chairman for South-east Asian Parliamentarians Against Corruption (SEAPAC) and member of board of directors for GOPAC
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times