The default culture is so pervasive and powerful that many are sucked into this from the perspective of self- interest. Why is there a need to change a culture when those in power stand to gain? It is their self- interest that drives this culture. Such a culture then self-perpetuates itself.

What is it that defines this default culture? Power, patronage, money, nepotism and corruption are hallmarks of this default culture. This is so evident today in Malaysia that any talk of integrity is at best window-dressing.

While there are good intentions as marked by the Rukunegara, 1Malaysia, Islam Hadhari and even Vision 2020 the reality is that none of these good intentions see the light of day. These are so quickly undercut because of a lack of leadership commitment to these causes.

The latest is ‘One Heart One Life’ or ‘Satu hati Satu Jiwa’. If I believe in this and hold this to be true then I would be the first to caution the mufti who slandered others by referring to other fellow Malaysians as ‘kafir harbi’. There is no tone from the top leadership that sets the agenda for a culture of integrity.

If there was leadership that believed and aspired for such causes then they would set the tone and challenge those who step out of line. While the mufti of Pahang is under investigation, such statements reveal the polarisation so evident in our society.

Human nature is the same whatever be your class, race or religion and there are good and bad people in all religions and faiths. It is not the imperfections of religion but the inability of individuals to realise their oneness to God and to fellow beings. A culture defined by the Rukunegara would have enriched our diversity.

This is why we need to create a positive culture that all of us can subscribe to in very specific ways, one which spells the cornerstones of our diversity. The elements are there but there is no focus only sloganeering.

At the same time issues relating to religion, ethnicity, colour, language and nationality can all be manipulated. Brexit reveals to us that when facts meet an emotion it is mostly emotion that wins. So many voted because of the fear of the Turks coming in, Islamophobia, others on issues relating to immigration, religion and being foreign. Many did not even understand the complexities relating to the case for staying yet voted out of fear to exit.

We can only change our prevalent culture if enough people stand up and speak out for what is right and best for the nation. We have today a bunch of discredited leaders manipulating to stay on in power.

The failure is in Umno. In any other nation the dismissal of the deputy leader of a party will result in a power struggle, perhaps fresh elections so that the democratic process continues. Not in Umno where self-interest shaped by money, patronage, position and cronyism determines the day.

There is no noise even from within the party supreme council. Everyone nods their heads knowing what would happen to them if they stood up for their convictions, if any. New cronies who support the leadership are immediately elevated to positions as ministers. Umno is loyalty-driven rather than values-driven. Where is the sense of conscience that helps distinguish between right and wrong. Issues of individual conscience and convictions seem totally absent.

We have an Institute of Integrity and even a minister in charge of this portfolio. They are at best silent or when they talk it is an attempt to explain the inexcusable. Integrity requires of them to give the lead and to speak out. Yet they choose to be realistic than act with integrity perhaps protecting their rice bowl or their pensions.

I understand that there are certified integrity officers who have been sidelined or even transferred for taking their positions seriously. Not surprising when the default culture is so strong. How can people of integrity survive in this default culture?

Unable to speak candidly

Even when good honest people resign they are unable to speak candidly. Abu Kassim Mohamed applied on three occasions to leave the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). What does this highlight about his frustrations? While he may have not been pressured it is not absolutely true that his decision was prompted by the offer of a prestigious international job.

This is where integrity matters. Very few will believe what he says because many understand the pressures that have been brought to bear on the MACC. The government finally agreed to release him two years before the end of his tenure.

He understands well the default culture and the pressures under which MACC operates. With two years in his civil service tenure he has to protect his position bow down and depart. There is the perception that he has been frustrated in his position. The MACC interrogated the PM and we have heard nothing since.

However, in the case of Lim Eng Guan, one is amazed at the speed at which MACC worked and the attorney-general (AG) responded. This only enhances the perception of selective persecution!

All this can be explained by the power that is so evident in one person. There are no checks and balances and there are few if any from within the establishment who would stand up to be counted. The nexus between the civil servant and the politician is very evident. It is the politician who decides what he could get in the future. Many retired civil servants sit on the boards of government-linked companies (GLCs).

They sit on several boards and earn to the tune of RM100,000 per year per board. Their incomes may vary from a few hundred thousand annually to nearly a million ringgit depending on the number of boards they sit on. While some of them may be very good they bring into the private sector their bureaucratic experience. For these GLCs the link with these bureaucrats is perhaps helpful when it comes to dealing with top officials in the respective ministries.

They have received their titles and a handsome pension. There are about 727 of them from the Civil Service, Diplomatic Corps, Judiciary, Politicians and Regulators.(Source: Focus Malaysia) It is also true that they earn more than their pensions and nobody begrudges them, However, is this not the price for silence and having completed their service the attitude could be one of retirement and playing safe.

Those who do not fall in line will lose such opportunities. Does this not in a subtle way strangle the independence of our institutions?

In addition to their handsome pensions and annual director’s fee ranging their sitting allowances could vary from RM500 to RM2,000 per board meeting. One can question what they bring to the private or government sector. Yet by this route one thing is certain this cripples them for standing up for what is right. Perhaps apart from a very few the large majority of them trade silence for convictions.

They play an enabling role in a nation known for its deference to titles and honorifics and they act as enablers who can short circuit processes and approvals. Why should any of them stand up and cry foul when the interest of the nation is being compromised? To do so would be to place them in a position where such benefits could be jeopardised.

So the culture of silence marked by self- interest prevails. This is why so many good people just tolerate what is going on. They are not ready to sacrifice and stand up for character, conduct and ethics and for the nation.

Integrity is more than just being honest. While honesty highlights one’s conviction to tell the truth in one’s personal relations integrity is more than just being honest. It is about the reputation for persistent and unwavering honesty and having the courage of convictions to state so. It is about exhibiting a level of honesty in all areas of one’s life be it personal, inter-personal, social, management and in the leadership that one provides.

Integrity has a price

What is lacking in Malaysia are the voices of people who know and understand what is wrong but lack the courage and integrity from within themselves to speak out. Integrity has a price and in the final analysis it is a question of whether each one of us has the capacity to speak out for values and principles. It is more than being compliance-driven.

Look at all our top civil servants who after having served the government now have glamourous positions as chairperson/directors of several companies either at the national level or at the state level. The income and benefits they receive silences them to the prevailing default culture.

The challenge as one said to me was to face what the late Aini Arope, Suffian Hashim or Ahmad Noordin Zakaria had to endure. Once you speak out than the default culture takes over. The Group of 25 must be admired for their courage and convictions. Many more have to step out and speak out in clear terms as this default culture is ruining our country.

Institutions like the police force, the Elections Commission and the AG’s Office are examples of institutions that carry very negative public perceptions.

How can this nation continue to be led by a discredited leader both within and internationally? There have been so many stories about Arab donations, Jho Low’s company and deals gone sour for which in the ultimate analysis the citizen will pay a heavy price. There is no accountability. People like the displaced attorney-general do not have the integrity to speak out the truth. They not only compromise themselves but do great harm to the nation.

‘As I am so is my nation’ and in the final analysis everyone has to take responsibility for where we are presently as a nation. Those who enjoy privileges and positions have to show their spine if Malaysia is to take the right road. Fashions, decorations and slogans are hollow especially when the leading political party is known for its manipulation and led by a discredited leader. A culture of silence only spells doom and gloom!