Posted on 8 March 2016 - 07:20pm
ON reading Sultan Nazrin's address on corruption and how it can destroy a country, the message is direct and pointed.
"Corruption is corruption no matter who commits it," is indeed the take-home message for all in the fight to eliminate corruption.
But it is not just the "who", also the "what" and "how". No longer is it about the magnitude and material involved but goes beyond.
For example, "spiritual" corruption is often the "doorway" to such an activity. Included is knowledge corruption where the term "corruption" has been subtly redefined as new normal allowing it to be carried out under different disguises.
The message reminded me of an audience with the president of the Republic of Indonesia in 2006 in relation to a conference on disaster management following the 2004 tragic tsunami disaster that hit Aceh.
As part of the delegation of the Association of Southeast Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL), we paid a courtesy visit to the then president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (more popularly known as SBY).
It was a memorable event not only because he is the first directly elected president, but he also exhibited frankness as a statesman in expressing his concern about the state of "corruption" in Indonesia.
He could have chosen to talk about how great Indonesia is as a nation of many legacies and traditions, but instead shared his experiences in dealing with the social menace that Indonesia is notoriously known for.
This, he reasoned, is because it has everything to do with education, and ASAIHL being the longest established association in the region has a crucial role to play in combating corruption.
Many sypmpathised with him when he related his embarrassment at global platforms having to meet his counterparts.
He felt that all eyes were focused on him as a leader of a nation crippled by corrupt practices, as though putting the blame on him for allowing the state of affairs to drag on for so long. And that he had condoned it for some selfish political reasons.
He shared how dreaded it was each time he had to face such predicaments and reiterated the importance of education in ensuring that future generations should be spared from such unpleasant events.
He also pledged to do the utmost in the support towards this end.
Hence today, Indonesia has seen some dramatic changes in the fight against corruption.
Only last month SBY, even as former president, continued to show unreserved concern, saying: "The Corruption Eradication Commission's (KPK) efforts to fight corruption must not weaken, slow down or even be restricted by any law or whatever form of interference by those in power."
"I must continue to encourage the efforts aimed at eradicating corruption. Just because I am no longer in power, my determination to this effect does not change, our fight will be fought through the Democratic Party factions in the DPR (the House of Representatives)," he said.
Although admittedly many ministers and party cadres were charged with corruption allegations during his administration, he is categorical that he never interfered in the internal affairs of the KPK, particularly when it came to prosecuting someone involved in corruption.
As president, allegedly he did not (mis)use the power to interfere in the commission's work.
"If I did it, it would tarnish the oath and the mandate given to me as a president who should set an example in eliminating corruption and making the KPK a success," he added.
Not surprising, the Indonesia Corruption Perception Index for 2015 showed an impressive improvement by 19 spots from 2014 to sit at 88th place among 168 countries.
In contrast, Malaysia though is placed higher at the 50th spot, its position has declined by four rungs since 2014 to the 54th place.
Between 2012 and 2013, its position has stagnated in the 49-55 range, so much so Transparency International Malaysia (TI-M) president Datuk Akhbar Satar warned that Indonesia "could soon outperform Malaysia in Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index" given its double-digit leaps up in the past few years.
Among the reasons why this is possible is KPK's independence as compared with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). Contrast the term "elimination" in KPK as compared with "anti" for MACC.
"In the past when KPK did not receive enough from the government's budget, the people raised funds and opened an office for KPK. Now KPK is financed by public donations and does not rely much on the budget," said TI-M.
This has enabled KPK to take on more high-profile cases as it is also vested with prosecutorial powers.
This has contributed to its 100% success rate on convictions.
It is therefore only befitting that in 2013, the KPK was the recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award, which is widely touted as the "Asian Nobel Prize", as the highest acknowledgement of Indonesia's seriousness in battling graft.
It is in this context that the Sultan of Perak's call to fight corruption without fear or favour must be heeded by all Malaysians and institutions.
This is a fight that we must not lose in order to save Malaysia from being destroyed.
With some four decades of experience in education locally and internationally, the writer believes that "another world is possible". Comments: letters@thesundaily.com
With some four decades of experience in education locally and internationally, the writer believes that "another world is possible". Comments: letters@thesundaily.com
