I refer to the letter Just stop doing it, Malaysians .

I commend the writer for appealing to  fellow Malaysians to stop feeding the corrupt system and perhaps it may not be a bad idea for every motorist to display a ‘I Don't Give Bribes'’ sticker on the car windscreen. It didn't work for the public servants but may work for the public if more Malaysians set the example by deciding not to bribe when nabbed. When you consider how the corrupt cops supplement their income, you wonder if they deserve their recent pay rise. But, of course, we know not all cops are corrupt and deserve an honest day’s pay for an honest day’s work.   

But how many cops are honest in a profession that faces constant temptations and how they can operate in an environment where their colleagues are dishonest remains a mystery. Several of my friends who joined the police and later left would in quieter moments tell me how rampant corruption was in the force, in particular in the traffic division.

That was a long time ago but it seems the situation has not changed. It may explain why the police force is not keen on something like the IPCMC or any form of check on its activities. Still the increased revenue from fines may be used to give the officially underpaid police more wage rises.

But in developed countries such as in Australia where the police are dichotomised into the federal and state police, there is some sort of independent office to investigate police integrity. Such an office of police integrity has investigative powers and proper rules of procedures according to the rule of law.

Corruption exists everywhere and there is corruption in Australia so let’s not be mistaken. But the corruption is not as common or brazen as in Malaysia and those who are corrupt usually get caught. The difference between Australia and Malaysia is in the enforcement of the rule of law. It does not matter who breaks the law because there are no double standards. You cannot and you do not bribe a traffic policeman when stopped, period. It is the same in Singapore. And that is why corruption is contained and regarded as a social menace in their societies.

But in Malaysia, as in some other Asian countries, traffic cops are notorious for their corrupt ways so that bribery has become entrenched in the culture. How much money the government has lost from police corruption is anyone’s guess but it must be in the billions of ringgit over the years.

No wonder Malaysians aren’t too worried about breaking traffic rules when they know they can bribe themselves out of trouble. And some have become so arrogant - including foreigners from a nearby country - that they have factored in the cost of a bribe when they drive their powerful cars on the highway at dangerously high speeds. Who do we blame for the malaise?

I say all those involved who can stop it. We need Malaysian motorists to stop giving bribes as the above writer has appealed in earnest. We need the police to stop the practice of expecting bribes from the public. And we need the government to tackle the problem and save the public coffers from the vast amounts of lost revenue from traffic fines. Maybe then we may even save lives on the roads.

Traffic fines remind motorists to be more careful. The next mistake they make while driving could cost someone’s or their own lives. But when they are fined for speeding it will make them be more careful especially when you have a points system for driving licences that could be suspended when all the valid points are lost to traffic offences.

One way to stop the opportunities for corruption is to stop the practice of requiring those involved in an accident to go to a designated police station to make a report. The practice ties up the police who should be out preventing crime instead of doing what is normally done by insurance companies. Motorists could simply note down the other party’s personal and insurance details instead of having to spend time at the police station re-enacting the accident and then be fined.

So the next time you are stopped by a traffic policeman and if you are sure you are guilty of the offence, ask for the summons or a compound fine to be issued. I guess each of us must develop our sense of accountability and do what is right, not expedient. If we are not prepared to be accountable for our actions how then can we expect the country to be free of corruption? We can’t short-sell ourselves and our country by saving a few ringgit and keeping the cops corrupt.

When Malaysians complain about the corruption in their country and share stories of corruption by the politicians and high-fliers, do they consider their little acts of bribery? Little foxes spoil the vines as they say and it is these little acts of honesty that we must do to discourage the corrupt policemen from carrying on their criminal activities. If any demands a bribe, be prepared to report him to the authorities.

Until Malaysians stop doing it like the above writer suggests, don’t expect the war on corruption to be won.