Graft is not peculiar to Malaysia. Like prostitution, it is known as the oldest vice in the world.

So when our dear deputy prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi recently signaled wiping out corruption in our beloved Bolehland, many who have built their professional careers since yesteryears may need to opt for early VSS or risk getting the cuffs if they don't.

Malaysiakini

readers like THE , Dr Cheah Tien Eang , David , K Sadriah , and others who have so many tales to tell should have a heart for these many because any serious attempt to rout graft could create a domino effect that would consequently threaten the livelihood of many and destabilise a culture that has taken years to develop.

Even the dogcatchers who regularly lassoed in my neighbours' roaming pets only to redeem them for cash may have to start moonlighting to replace their loss income since they may have to hunt down the real mangy strays for nothing.

Or the friendly neighbourhood cop who recently offered to let me off a speeding offence for "only RM100".

Or the PLUS patrol team who receives pay outs from tow-truck operators for coming up with ingenious reasons for being unable to tow stranded vehicles along the highway.

Do we really want to deprive so many of an easy way of earning their living? Wouldn't it be better to make come up with a system to enable all Malaysians to benefit from graft? Better still, be the first to franchise this system to the rest of the world.