I refer to malaysiakini report Explosive allegations against ACA chief . It is a sign of times really to see the head honcho and vanguard of civil servants under a cloud of corruption allegations.

How do you expect other senior government officers not to abuse their power for personal gain if the person entrusted in nabbing civil servants for corruption is alleged to have abused his power? Leadership by example of the highest order, one might cynically assume.

However, to be fair to him, he should be given a chance to refute the allegations against him in order to redeem his name in the public eye. Failing which, he should resign.

Top mandarins of the civil service should be above suspicion and work without fear or favour. Enforcement officers should not be stained with a whisper of corruption allegations and should make public all assets that they hold while in office.

They should not indulge in any private business either through their own family members or by proxy in order to obtain ill-gotten gains while holding top posts in the government. Like Caesar's wife, top guns in the public and private sectors must be above such suspicion.

Harun Hashim, the first ACA chief who was feared by many corrupt officials due to his relentless efforts to curb corruption in the late 60s and early 70s should be a good role model to follow. During his time, even top politicians feared him as he was relentless in his work. Despite this, no political pressure was imposed on him not to investigate misuse of power by top guns.

We need strong civil servants who are willing to face political storms to reduce wastage of government funds through illegal means. The government of the day should not interfere with civil servants who work within the ambit of the law and its procedures.

Our civil service was one of the best during the 60s and 70s and most of their mandarins had good reputations while they held the fort. We do not see them living pompous lifestyles after retirement with a fleet of luxury cars parked in their porch or having properties which cannot be accounted for with their government salaries.

Nowadays, we see politicians and top guns in the public sector living beyond their means and the public perception - whether rightly or wrongly - is that they are corrupt and that this has allowed them to live grand and exuberant lifestyles while they hold powerful positions.

Maybe it is about time for the chief secretary to issue friendly reminders to those civil servants who hold big positions in the civil service to live within their means and not to abuse their power for personal gain. Corrupt officials should be sacked or charged in court as a lessons to others to not to abuse their power.

For the ACA's sake and its reputation, its top honcho should not be silent on the serious allegations against him and should come out with proof to refute the allegations against him to redeem his honour.