The government's initiative and drive towards privatisation was to give a quantum boost towards transforming the its service quality and delivery of services. It was, apart from other good intentions, also to help speed up the economic re-engineering of the nation.

Unfortunately, the irresistible monetary opportunities and accompanying temptations arising from such ventures has also attracted politicians and senior civil servants directly or indirectly onto the turf. And this is proving to be counter-productive in promoting the economic excellence of the nation in the wake of globalisation.

Sometimes it is forgivable to wonder how on earth civil servants and politicians on the payroll of the government can afford to amass a fleet of luxury cars, huge mansions for homes, and family getaways to far-off holiday destinations that others can only savour from the pages of glossy travel magazines.

If a politician had amassed wealth from his or her business involvement prior to entering public service, as in the case of some leaders in neighboring countries, it is understandable and even admirable.

But when someone who would have served in government for a mere quarter of a century retires with a grand heritage of accumulated wealth, it raises many eyebrows.

Perhaps, in line with the country's emphasis on transparency and accountability and the promotion of Pak Lah's Islam Hadhari, we should explore the need to ban politicians and civil servants from engaging in business pursuits. After all, every entrepreneur knowsthat businesses can be very indulging often taking up much of your waking hours in order to attain a degree of success. So keeping a government appointment and dabbling in business just cannot mix.

Secondly, every politician must account for his wealth - be it cars, homes, holidays or even local and overseas bank accounts.

Such a transparent move will earn the government of the day further praise and support from the rakyat. This way, we do not have to see wasteful public funds being spent on billboards and various election paraphernalia to garner support from the rakyat.

In simple terms, it translates into 'walk the talk' and 'leadership by example'.

Perhaps, this being our golden jubilee of independence, banning politicians from business ventures could well be a national debate.