I refer to Malaysiakini report Britain's Parliament speaker quits over expenses.

Britain, though at one time seen to be a very ruthless colonist, has set a good system of governance and parliamentary democracy that many countries try to emulate - or use as a camouflage to gain wealth, power and impose dictatorial rule.

The British prime minister has put it very strongly: - 'Westminister cannot operate like some gentlemen's club whose members make up the rules and operate among themselves'. It goes to show that even Britain is not spared from abuse of power and authority.

However, what makes the difference between countries like Britain and others is that Britain takes immediate action when such acts of abuse are highlighted and brought to the public's attention.

No dragging of the feet or cover-ups or trying to find a way out for these wrongdoings committed by people in power and influence.

The amounts that were claimed by the British members of Parliament may look minuscule but nonetheless it is a serious act of cheating the public - the very people who entrusted the MPs with their faith and future well-being.

These are leaders held in high esteem and are expected to be of impeccable character while in and out of office. They are highly respected and are expected to lead by good example - not by shameful and avaricious deeds.

Even though the British speaker was not directly involved, he took full responsibility and quit for his lack of proper supervision on this matter.

In Malaysia, a number of reports have been made against the politicians in the ruling party over alleged abuses of power but there seems a lack of urgency to really get to the bottom of these reports.

However, swift investigations are carried out over trivial matters if involving a report against the opposition. Thus, this creates a lot of room for speculation and mistrust.

What is seriously lacking in our system is total transparency and accountability. A wrongdoing can be seen to be easily compromised and the wrongdoer is seen to be let off without even a fine or retribution.

A country that condones commercial crimes and the siphoning of the people's money by those in high places of authority will never be seen to progress beyond a certain level and will only go downhill from that point onwards.

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. What stands beyond any temptation
to deceive and amass personal wealth is one's dignity, pride and self-respect. These qualities are absolute and gives a person the greatest joy above any ill-gotten wealth or power.

Once the main administration of a government starts to practise and propagate compromising or hiding the truth, then the whole system becomes corrupt and will come to a point of no return unless serious and concerted efforts are made at the top to eradicate this disease and keep it under control.

A leadership cannot work with bad examples and is bound to fail or face rejection eventually.

If complaints and reports of mismanagement and misappropriation are taken lightly and the culprits are not punished, then it seems that the people holding high and responsible positions are given the license to commit crimes while a person who shoplifts a loaf of bread to feed a hungry child's mouth is given a stiff and harsh punishment.

Justice not only must be served but must be seen to be served justly.

Countries like Britain have a strong, well-managed and well-administered form of government.
And there are also countries who model their democratic and constitutional processes after the British system but practise something that is contrary to it.

This in order to gain or maintain power and in the process deprive or suppress any opposition to their rule. In such cases, rules are quite often interpreted to one's own advantage and completely ignore the real truth.

For democracy to prevail, the people must be given the choice to elect whomever they prefer and they must not be denied this right by creating confusion, fear or terror.