We have since learned from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that the National Registration Department (JPN) and Immigration Department are being investigated for corruption and power abuse. The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has also confirmed that they will act on the allegations by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
And thus, the never-ending game of catching the corrupted begins; all over again. A battle cry that we have heard every establishment shout out when it seems convenient to get public opinion behind you. And as mentioned by the Prime Minister, "However, I must stress that stern and immediate action must be taken against the small group of people who remain complacent with the old ways and practices."
The old ways and practices - let that statement sink in for a moment.
This means corruption was and has always been part of the Malaysian government's operations. And the Prime Minister and every politician who has ever held public service in Malaysia would have witnessed these "old ways and practices" because, to a certain degree, the political elites set these practices in place.
The very nature of politics corrupts because every element conceivable to corrupt is present within the sphere of politics. An influx of power, wealth and authority will corrupt the feeble and greedy. And no one is spared, from the immoral to the claimed-religious will can be corrupted. The past five years have shown all Malaysians the level of corruption achievable by Malaysian politicians. Regardless of party affiliation or how much religious piety one projects to the world, the fact is that corruption will corrupt in one way or another. We need help finding in-corruptible politicians in Malaysia.
And if the head (political masters) are corrupt, what more can we say about the practice of the underlings that ensure the gears of government keeps spinning?
Catch the mouse but empower the cat to have the claws to do so. MACC is entrusted to seek the corrupt and weed them out, and this should be done without fear. This is why, as the corrupt are rounded up, the corruptor(s) should also face the music. Follow the trail straight to the root and cut it at its source.
Let's not forget the whole issue that blew this into the public spotlight. The "revelation" by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing seems to have drawn attention to this problem at the country's entry point. We may have opinions on the said minister's antics and super-hero syndrome, but this question lingers - would action only happen when dramatic incidences such as these occur?
We may scream brimstone and flames now, yet would this issue be destined to die off; once the public's attention moves on to other matters?
For this very reason, all findings by MACC should be made public. All action must be out in the open and not hidden behind a veil of "nak jaga air muka". This is the least that MACC and the government of the day can do to bring back confidence in eradicating "the old ways and practices" that have so long caused harm to Malaysia as a country and Malaysia as a people group.
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