I refer to the Malaysiakini report 20 nabbed so far in visa scam sweep.

The move by the ACA to nab both the givers and the receivers of bribes is a step in the right direction!

To see corruption as a reciprocal act that involves people in positions of authority as well the general public that courts them for favours will correct the perception that corruption is endemic only among public servants.

It should be seen as a malady that has gone deeper into the Malaysian psyche and, if unabated, will spell disaster for our society.

Corruption involves two parties – the ‘corruptor’ who initiates and offers the inducements and the corruptible person in a position of privilege or authority.

People who are morally weak and therefore corruptible can be found anywhere but are more visible amongst those holding the reins of power – whether in the public or private sector. Their favoured positions often make them susceptible to these material temptations.

They are corrupted when they succumb to offers of ‘coffee money’, that is a bribe or any other material inducement. In doing so, they are guilty of abusing the power vested in their positions to secure personal gains.

The general perception is that people in authority are corrupt because they receive inducements for approving a permit or expediting a tender which is within their line of duty.

Whether we look at it from a moral or legal angle, it cannot be disputed that accepting inducements from outside for doing work which is within one’s specified line of duty is a travesty in itself.

The obvious corollary to this is that undertaking work which contravenes the rules and regulations and are therefore illegal, is indeed criminal both within the organisation and the society at large.

However, while we are ready to judge the corrupt government officer who has received a bribe, we often disregard the party that offers the bribe. We do not take to task the ordinary person who offers the police constable or the immigration officer RM50 to cancel the summons against him for speeding, or to overlook discrepancies in his application for a foreign worker.

We forget that the man on the street is as guilty of abusing his responsibilities as a law-abiding citizen as the public servant. Both have broken the moral and legal code of conduct, but the givers of bribes often escape notice for lack of evidence.

At the higher levels of transactions between government agencies and the private or corporate sector, we often hear the term ‘greasing the palms’ – an euphemism for monetary inducements to help in the smooth-running of public/ private enterprise.

At the positive level, the practice of ‘I scratch your back/ You scratch my back’ has served our nation well as a manifestation of the cooperative, accommodating spirit that Malaysians are known for.

Historically, the practice of carrying the ‘ bunga mas’ , giving ‘ ang pow ’ and presenting generous gifts and ‘ duit kopi ’ was prevalent since the early days of mercantilism. In today’s modern trade and commerce, it has evolved into more insidious forms which are difficult to trace.

In order to contain or cure the malignancy that gnaws at the heart of the Malaysian society, concerted efforts must be made at all levels of the nation’s activities. While the ACA is to be applauded for arresting the top-level government officers allegedly involved in corruption, similar efforts must be made down the line.

In government departments, ministries and agencies; in the corporate and business sectors; NGOs and charities - in fact wherever illicit money and benefits can exchange hands between people – mechanisms must be in place to make it impossible or difficult for this to take place.

In-house workshops and seminars must be held regularly to keep everyone vigilant about their roles and responsibilities. They must be constantly reminded in office circulars, slogans and campaigns of the immorality of corruption and the prospects of facing punishment and legal investigations should these be breached.

The government’s bid to promote integrity must be reworked into a concerted campaign at all levels of society including schools and institutions of higher learning. The composite - sometimes ill-understood - concept of integrity must be broken down into its basic components i.e. honesty, uprightness, trustworthiness, responsibility and duty which must be seen as integral to both personal and public integrity.

These values inherent in all religions must be given a fresh impetus by our spiritual leaders.

At the personal level, it is incumbent upon every Malaysian to play a positive role in wiping out the scourge of corruption in his or her private and public domain.