Collectively build a high-trust society
THE message of two rulers recently is indeed eye-catching. Both the
royal messages stress the importance of the need to avoid corruption and
maintain ethics or integrity in our lives.
In his speech at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Foundation’s International Conference 2015, the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah made a strong conclusion that Malaysians needed to work collectively to build a high-trust society.
Among others, Sultan Nazrin said, when trust was low, everyone acts selfishly and believes everyone else will do the same.
If this is the case, this act results in high transaction costs because people feel they need to have protection to cover any eventuality.
“On the other hand, developing norms that are fair and promote trust in society can provide enormous advantages for equitable growth,” he added.
According to the Sultan of Perak, to build trust, “I believe we must strive to address comprehensively the divisions that exist in society, and which seem to be growing wider over time.”
These include not only the familiar ethnic, religious and territorial divisions but also divisions in social class and ideology.
He advised “we cannot build a high-trust society if we continue to be polarised in so many ways.
“It cannot happen if there is unequal or unfair treatment across the many communities and groupings,” he said in his speech, “Putting ethics to work in businesss and government”.
His words were followed by the message of the sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah wherein he reminded the state government not to abuse power and get involved in corruption.
The ruler said rampant corruption would cause dissatisfaction among the people and the economy would decline leading to poverty and political instability.
At an investiture ceremony in conjunction with his 70th birthday anniversary on December 12, Sultan Sharafuddin strongly stated that “this will lead to abuse of state revenue”.
“There will be chaos and the people cannot live in peace.” This is also the cost of corruption we cannot avoid if the people ignore the importance of working together to say “no to corruption”.
We as members of the society have a role to play in building a long-term culture of integrity and good governance.
The building of a sustainable country needs an integral role to be played by each segment of the community, irrespective of whether they are political leaders, non-governmental organisations, or the people.
What is being said by both the sultan of Selangor and the sultan of Perak is also in line with the theme of the 2015 World Anti-Corruption Day – Break the Corruption Chain.
The Office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is among the international agencies actively mobilising the anti-corruption campaign.
UNDP believes corruption is a global problem because the crime exists in both rich and poor countries.
Corruption not only contributes to instability and poverty, but also is a factor contributing to a country to be fragile or to fail as a state.
The similar message was also emphasised at length by the sultan of Perak in his speech delivered at MACC’s 47th Anniversary last year.
He also outlined the roles of various parties which are vital in tackling corruption firmly and effectively, namely:
(i) leaders have to fulfil promises they uttered during the swearing-in that they will go all-out against corruption and do not generate personal wealth;
(ii) agencies established should not act selectively;
(iii) law enforcement agencies are instruments and must be equipped with a comprehensive and holistic programme;
(iv) role of every working group whether public or private employees;
(v) people have to get rid of greed;
(vi) fight against corruption must focus on punitive approach and preventive measures to strengthen integrity;
(vii) judges and judicial institutions must be firm and fair;
(viii) establishment of human integrity that is built with internal resistance, is not affected by the impulse of passion and;
(ix) make the fight against corruption a jihad, which should be embedded in the hearts of people.
High-trust society, ethics, good governance and integrity are the components that need to be emphasised to ensure a corruption-free country.
Corruption must be fought seriously and at all levels. These efforts cannot be left solely to the MACC.
In its report distributed to Parliament in December 2014, the Special Committee on Corruption, one of the five independent bodies that monitors the MACC stressed, “to eradicate corruption is not an easy thing and should not be placed under the sole responsibility of the MACC, rather it should be the responsibility of people from all walks of life.
People need to play a role. Non-governmental organisations have a role. Similarly, industry as well as corporate entities, politicians and lawmakers.
As corruption is a cancer which causes damage, non-stop efforts have to be taken to combat it. Therefore, it should start from within us.
Benjamin S. Buckland (2007) in a report titled Global Anti-Corruption Efforts:
The Role of Non-Governmental Organisations listed six key players in the success of efforts to prevent corruption:
(i) non-governmental organisations, (ii) government, (iii) the body business lobby group, (iv) multinational companies, (v) development banks and international financial institutions, and (vi) international organisations.
Both the Sultan of Perak and Sultan of Selangor are rightfully expressing concern.
It should not be taken lightly. These two monarchs who are above politics have taken a keen interest in this subject which invariably affects their subjects at local, state and federal levels.
Corruption is a scourge which has to be overcome or it will consume us.
Nelson Mandela had famously said “eradicate corruption then there will be no more poverty”.
Idealistic but a point no less! Senator Robert F. Kennedy is also famously quoted: That GDP (as a measure of well-being) does not allow for the integrity of our public officials (re: calibration on propensity for corruption).
Without integrity, corruption thrives. It is opined that about two fifth of the budget for development in the Third World nations is “lost” in the pockets of policy makers and those who implement policies.
Corruption is a menace irrespective of global development rankings.
What needs to be done? Graft has to be taken seriously and avenues for abuse of power to indulge in corrupt practices should be eliminated.
Prevention is paramount. Religious values have to be inculcated continuously at all levels.
Open tenders should be the norm to manifest transparency. There should not be a “factored-in” element of 20% (or such) to the cost of the project to grease the palms of decision makers.
The Government is concerned about the cost of living and alleviating the hardship of the lower and middle income group.
It appears now that price hikes is an unavoidable fact due to the execution of long term contracts. Is this not power abuse? What happened to the elements of good governance – are generations of the rakyat going to have to “foot” the bill.
Some quarters, rightfully or wrongfully, opine that someone has benefitted. Is it logical to opine that there may have been possible elements of corruption?
Greed is insatiable. Corruption is a mindset. Good governance and strong religious values related to ethics, morality and integrity are the keys to combat corruption.
There is no room for second guessing. Our political masters should lead the crusade against corruption – not be part of the problem.
Walter Sandosam,
Kuala Lumpur
http://www.therakyatpost.com/letters-from-the-rakyat/2015/12/30/collectively-build-a-high-trust-society/
In his speech at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Foundation’s International Conference 2015, the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah made a strong conclusion that Malaysians needed to work collectively to build a high-trust society.
Among others, Sultan Nazrin said, when trust was low, everyone acts selfishly and believes everyone else will do the same.
If this is the case, this act results in high transaction costs because people feel they need to have protection to cover any eventuality.
“On the other hand, developing norms that are fair and promote trust in society can provide enormous advantages for equitable growth,” he added.
According to the Sultan of Perak, to build trust, “I believe we must strive to address comprehensively the divisions that exist in society, and which seem to be growing wider over time.”
These include not only the familiar ethnic, religious and territorial divisions but also divisions in social class and ideology.
He advised “we cannot build a high-trust society if we continue to be polarised in so many ways.
“It cannot happen if there is unequal or unfair treatment across the many communities and groupings,” he said in his speech, “Putting ethics to work in businesss and government”.
His words were followed by the message of the sultan of Selangor, Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah wherein he reminded the state government not to abuse power and get involved in corruption.
The ruler said rampant corruption would cause dissatisfaction among the people and the economy would decline leading to poverty and political instability.
At an investiture ceremony in conjunction with his 70th birthday anniversary on December 12, Sultan Sharafuddin strongly stated that “this will lead to abuse of state revenue”.
“There will be chaos and the people cannot live in peace.” This is also the cost of corruption we cannot avoid if the people ignore the importance of working together to say “no to corruption”.
We as members of the society have a role to play in building a long-term culture of integrity and good governance.
The building of a sustainable country needs an integral role to be played by each segment of the community, irrespective of whether they are political leaders, non-governmental organisations, or the people.
What is being said by both the sultan of Selangor and the sultan of Perak is also in line with the theme of the 2015 World Anti-Corruption Day – Break the Corruption Chain.
The Office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is among the international agencies actively mobilising the anti-corruption campaign.
UNDP believes corruption is a global problem because the crime exists in both rich and poor countries.
Corruption not only contributes to instability and poverty, but also is a factor contributing to a country to be fragile or to fail as a state.
The similar message was also emphasised at length by the sultan of Perak in his speech delivered at MACC’s 47th Anniversary last year.
He also outlined the roles of various parties which are vital in tackling corruption firmly and effectively, namely:
(i) leaders have to fulfil promises they uttered during the swearing-in that they will go all-out against corruption and do not generate personal wealth;
(ii) agencies established should not act selectively;
(iii) law enforcement agencies are instruments and must be equipped with a comprehensive and holistic programme;
(iv) role of every working group whether public or private employees;
(v) people have to get rid of greed;
(vi) fight against corruption must focus on punitive approach and preventive measures to strengthen integrity;
(vii) judges and judicial institutions must be firm and fair;
(viii) establishment of human integrity that is built with internal resistance, is not affected by the impulse of passion and;
(ix) make the fight against corruption a jihad, which should be embedded in the hearts of people.
High-trust society, ethics, good governance and integrity are the components that need to be emphasised to ensure a corruption-free country.
Corruption must be fought seriously and at all levels. These efforts cannot be left solely to the MACC.
In its report distributed to Parliament in December 2014, the Special Committee on Corruption, one of the five independent bodies that monitors the MACC stressed, “to eradicate corruption is not an easy thing and should not be placed under the sole responsibility of the MACC, rather it should be the responsibility of people from all walks of life.
People need to play a role. Non-governmental organisations have a role. Similarly, industry as well as corporate entities, politicians and lawmakers.
As corruption is a cancer which causes damage, non-stop efforts have to be taken to combat it. Therefore, it should start from within us.
Benjamin S. Buckland (2007) in a report titled Global Anti-Corruption Efforts:
The Role of Non-Governmental Organisations listed six key players in the success of efforts to prevent corruption:
(i) non-governmental organisations, (ii) government, (iii) the body business lobby group, (iv) multinational companies, (v) development banks and international financial institutions, and (vi) international organisations.
Both the Sultan of Perak and Sultan of Selangor are rightfully expressing concern.
It should not be taken lightly. These two monarchs who are above politics have taken a keen interest in this subject which invariably affects their subjects at local, state and federal levels.
Corruption is a scourge which has to be overcome or it will consume us.
Nelson Mandela had famously said “eradicate corruption then there will be no more poverty”.
Idealistic but a point no less! Senator Robert F. Kennedy is also famously quoted: That GDP (as a measure of well-being) does not allow for the integrity of our public officials (re: calibration on propensity for corruption).
Without integrity, corruption thrives. It is opined that about two fifth of the budget for development in the Third World nations is “lost” in the pockets of policy makers and those who implement policies.
Corruption is a menace irrespective of global development rankings.
What needs to be done? Graft has to be taken seriously and avenues for abuse of power to indulge in corrupt practices should be eliminated.
Prevention is paramount. Religious values have to be inculcated continuously at all levels.
Open tenders should be the norm to manifest transparency. There should not be a “factored-in” element of 20% (or such) to the cost of the project to grease the palms of decision makers.
The Government is concerned about the cost of living and alleviating the hardship of the lower and middle income group.
It appears now that price hikes is an unavoidable fact due to the execution of long term contracts. Is this not power abuse? What happened to the elements of good governance – are generations of the rakyat going to have to “foot” the bill.
Some quarters, rightfully or wrongfully, opine that someone has benefitted. Is it logical to opine that there may have been possible elements of corruption?
Greed is insatiable. Corruption is a mindset. Good governance and strong religious values related to ethics, morality and integrity are the keys to combat corruption.
There is no room for second guessing. Our political masters should lead the crusade against corruption – not be part of the problem.
Walter Sandosam,
Kuala Lumpur
http://www.therakyatpost.com/letters-from-the-rakyat/2015/12/30/collectively-build-a-high-trust-society/
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