When avenues for corruption are created – Walter Sandosam

Corruption continues to persist and torment. To be able to combat any menace successfully, one must be able to first understand the root causes which allow for such negative activity to prevail. Is it only the work of the anti-graft agency to fight corruption?  Do others also have a role to play? There appears a lack of clarity here.

In March 2015, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) arrested six high ranking naval officers for their alleged involvement in shady deals in the purchase of spare parts. This was against the backdrop of widespread corruption and abuse of power by senior officers including living lifestyles beyond their incomes.

Now pursuant to the uncovering of graves of illegals at the border, a report by the Special Branch has indicated that 80% of the country’s border patrols and security personnel are corrupt. Was Bukit Aman’s Integrity and Standards Compliance Department not aware of this?

Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching has recently described this as both “alarming and embarrassing”. So what needs to be done? Do we go on an emotional tirade against the MACC for perceived “ineffectiveness” or should the problem be looked at from a more mature and holistic perspective. Lawmakers should help positively.

An in-depth investigation by the MACC on the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) episode has revealed some disturbing facts. RM26.4 million was spent on spare parts for just one of its vessels as reported in a local daily.

These purchases were apparently made through an outmoded procurement system in defiance of a Finance Ministry directive to use the e-perolehan system. Internal audit reports from the RMN had apparently also failed to detect this practice.

As this outmoded system had been used, it allowed for leeway to manipulate information relating to purchases. Avenues for corruption had been inadvertently created.

On the border patrols and security issue, part of the problem is due to the infrequent rotation and familiarity of the personnel which had led to corruption relating to smuggling and human trafficking. Could this have not been foreseen?

Question: where is the governance and supervision expected of the senior officers who are charged with oversight responsibilities to eliminate such and other instances which could breed corruption?

Are they intellectually challenged or just lackadaisical in discharging their duties?  What an utter disgrace!  Either way both reasons are heinous and deserve to be punished severely. Our country needs to be rid of the inept!

In early 2015, the MACC had produced a comprehensive report on our border weaknesses. Was appropriate action taken swiftly our do we suffer from the malaise of lack of responsibility and urgency. That is why we have corruption!

Action appears to have been slow but there is a sudden surge in adrenalin after the mass graves were found. Is our security intelligence so weak that we do not know what is happening at our borders? Do we need people to die first before we get our act together? We collectively have to account for those who died within our borders.

Is the MACC proactive? Other than investigating and uncovering the corrupt, most recently the illegal logging, reports with recommendations have been produced on the Cameron Highlands disaster, the border situation (even before the unfortunate incident) and now on RMN’s procurement.

With all this information available the lawmakers, relevant state authorities, local governments and those at the various ministries should execute their duties diligently. Fighting corruption is a collective effort and should be preventive.

Who is responsible if 80% of border personnel are perceived corrupt?  What has been implemented at Cameron Highlands? What ails the RMN? These issues should be tackled at source. Those responsible should be held accountable. Lawmakers should demand and get answers. That is how you eliminate corruption.

Let us not exhibit unbridled stupidity in not being able to identify the root causes contributing to corruption and initiating the consequential preventive measures. All parties should play their role. It is not the exclusive purview of the anti-graft agency alone. – June 19, 2015.

* Walter Sandosam reads The Malaysian Insider.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.

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Credit to The Malaysian Insider- 19 Jun 2015