It is difficult not to be cynical about Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's new initiative for a regional anti-corruption academy. Malaysia is a country of where acts of omissions and commissions are often made by a select few with close ties to government agents. From a few duit kopi to millions of ringgits, all of us in business know how extensive and pervasive corruption is. As a result the country suffers.

Malaysia has a long way to go to be a regional consultant in this area, unless it is serious in cleaning up its own backyard and change its work culture. Perhaps the way to start is to look at all the abuses that have occurred over the last five years and to reopen closed and pending cases in the Anti-Corruption Agency.

Let us take a look again at the public figures in office and those who have retired. Abdullah should also look at the claims of "whistleblowers" whom they have chosen to prosecute, ie. Mohd Ezam Mohd Nor, Irene Fernandez, Mohd Ali Tamby Chik, Anwar Ibrahim, etc.

Unless and until, Pak Lah looks at all the abuses that have occurred in the country and the billions of ringgits that have been unaccounted for, I will remain cynical about any call for a regional hub on anti-corruption.