It is now time for Pak Lah to get really serious about wiping out corruption instead of merely making beautiful speeches.

The most appopriate place would be a scrutiny of Cabinet ministers who are required to declare their assets to him. Perhaps this exercise should be more transparent with the details made known to a select Parliamentary committee.

As money politics is now apparently an issue, political parties can also adopt a code of practice that requires all aspiring leaders to declare their assets to the leadership. But if top leaders are also in the money politics game, this will be an ineffective measure.

The Auditor-General's annual report would also provide a good starting point to track down and reduce corruption. For example, there is the RM20m swimming pool that was not built to specifications.

The following persons should be investigated:

- the person who awarded the contract;

- the person who approved any project time delays, if any;

- the person who approved project modifications, if any.

This framework can be applied to other failed projects like the hospital in Johor and the MRR2 flyover .

Private citizens who practise corruption should also be brought to book. Both they and civil servants who are charged but cooperate with the Anti-corruption Agency should be given due consideration when their cases are brought to trial.