The contrast between strong public reactions to non-conformist culture (such as LGBTQ+ issues or lifestyle deviations or the recent KL Water Festivals) and the relative silence on systemic corruption in Malaysia is stunning and mind boogling.
While public outcry against corruption has occurred, it is often more muted or sporadic compared to social or religious issues.
Why? Why? Why?
Corruption destroys this nation, Malaysia.
It undermined and damage all branches of Malaysia such as the government, military, economy, technology, etc.
Corruption kills.
The money stolen through corruption every year is enough to feed the country’s hungry many times over.
3% of Malaysia is hungry. That’s approximately 900,000 Malaysians!
A study conducted by Unicef on urban child poverty and deprivation in low-cost flats in Kuala Lumpur found out that 1 in 2 households actually do not have enough money to buy food.
Corruption denies them their right to food, and, in some cases, their right to life.
Where are ALL THOSE MALAYSIANS who hollered and reacted strongly, including organising religious activities and even praying for heavy rain to flood out the recent KL Water Festival for the 900,000 hungry Malaysians?
Where? Where? Where are all of you?
This is a humanitarian crisis, existing in Malaysia.
Every Malaysian are affected by the corruption scourge in Malaysia.
36.4 million Malaysians.
Malaysia has the potential to be a developed country in the region on condition that the practice of stealing the nation’s wealth through corruption is stopped altogether.
This was the statement made by PMX in Jan 2023.
PMX added that if there is a strong spirit of unity among the people to say no to unethical practices, he is confident that the country will be able to achieve progress within a short time, like never before.
If corruption in Malaysia were completely halted, the significant amount of money lost—estimated at RM277 billion between 2018 and 2023, or roughly RM55 billion annually—could be redirected to drastically improve,
- national infrastructure,
- public welfare, and
- economic stability.
Based on findings from the MACC and government reports, these funds – RM277 billion - could be utilized for:
1. Public Infrastructure and Development
- Repairing Schools and Hospitals: Substantial funds could be allocated to upgrading aging school facilities and upgrading hospital equipment, which are currently neglected.
- Infrastructure Projects: Completing public infrastructure projects that are currently delayed or stalled due to financial irregularities, such as rural roads, water supply, and electrification.
2. Welfare and Cost of Living Assistance
- Direct Cash Relief: The RM277 billion lost over five years is equivalent to nearly 28 years of Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) payouts.
- Subsidy Optimization: Plugging leaks allows the government to provide targeted subsidies, potentially lowering the cost of living for middle and lower-income groups (B40 and M40) without draining the national budget.
3. Economic and Institutional Strengthening
- Reducing National Debt: The saved money could pay down Malaysia's public debt, which has at times exceeded 65% of GDP, placing the country on a sounder fiscal footing.
- Boosting Investor Confidence: Lower corruption reduces business operating costs, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and encouraging local business expansion, creating high-quality jobs.
- Improving Public Services: Funds could be used to increase the salaries and welfare of civil servants, reducing the temptation for petty corruption and improving service efficiency.
4. Education and Anti-Corruption
- Funding Education Initiatives: Investing in educational programs on integrity in schools and universities to prevent corruption at the grassroots level.
- Empowering Enforcement Agencies: Increased funding for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to modernise its technologies and improve investigations.
By curbing corruption, Malaysia could potentially transition from a developing nation to a high-income nation within a shorter timeframe.
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