The political storms over British Home Affairs Minister David Blunkett's nanny affair and the withdrawal of Bernard Kerik from being nominated as American homeland security secretary should be a lesson to other developing countries.

It is important that senior government officials selected for top posts are not only clean in character but more importantly have high moral values as well. Former American president Bill Clinton was nearly impeached not because he had an affair with his intern but because he was found to have lied about it.

But in this blessed country of us, ministers can continue to lie to us without being held accountable for their actions which affect the public. There is no point in formulating new laws to curb graft and abuse of power if there is no political will to fight them from the grass roots level.

We seem to be a nation which has many committees to discuss this and that but when strict measures need to be implemented, they are aborted due to political pressure.

This was not so at one time. During the premiership of the Hussein Onn in the late 70s when the judiciary was independent, a state minister was charged and sentenced to jail for corruption, while a cabinet minister was sent to the gallows for murder (he was later pardoned).

There was not much corruption or abuse of power by the high and mighty elite then as Hussein was known to be a 'no-nonsense' man. His legal background made him acutely aware of the rule of law and the consequences of flouting it. He did not look kindly upon those who did not share his respect for the laws of the land.

The same thing cannot be said of his successors who turned a blind eye towards abuse of power by their underlings and cronies enabling them become rich. The Anti-Corruption Agency is powerless to act against these corrupt officials without getting the green light from the higher ups.

Current premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has inherited a sinking ship whose crew members comprised tainted sailors who served under the former captain. One can only wonder if he has the political will to move out from under his predecessor's shadow and throw the old and tainted sailors overboard to save the sinking ship.

As can be seen from the two examples earlier, in other nations, senior government officials and candidates withdraw from office if their presence jeopardises public trust in their party and government.

Our nation deserves better leaders to lead us to greater heights. The old and tainted sailors must search their conscience and resign immediately if the have the future of the country at heart.

Where are the likes of David Blunkett and Bernard Derik in our local political scene when you need the most? It makes you weep.