LETTER | When Transparency International and the Customs Department proposed that whipping should be imposed on the convicted corrupted and those selling illegal cigarettes and liquor, all human rights hell broke loose.

Among those who condemned this proposal were the Centre to Combat Corruption and Cronyism (C4), the Bar Council, civil rights lawyers, the International Commission of Jurists, and the Society for the Protection of Human Rights.

All these defenders of human rights had the same message for the government, i.e. that there are more humane ways of dealing with these criminals, that whipping has no place in a modern criminal justice system and that it is degrading and violates international human rights law.

What the opposers of whipping are strongly saying is that they know better how to deal with the criminals concerned.

This is a challenge to the government. The challenge is that there is a body of persons, whether individuals or from various organisations that champion human rights, that has the expertise to fight corruption and educate people to not be corrupted, without imposing “inhuman punishment”.

So why doesn't the government tap this field of experts and give them the responsibility of educating Malaysians on why and how not to become corrupted and to rehabilitate those who are already corrupted?

It is far too easy to sit in comfortable chairs and make statements. Instead, they should say "Let us do it and show you how to do it and make a success of it".

The government, on its part, should be on the lookout for helpful persons like these and give them the responsibility of putting their advice into practical action and prove that it works and is very effective.

Perhaps they can be seconded to the Integrity Institute where programmes to rehabilitate the corrupt and those selling illegal cigarettes and liquor can be conducted by them.

It is not enough for all these defenders of human rights of the criminals to make statements and leave the job that they recommend should be done to be done by somebody else. They must take the lead and show by example how it should be done and prove that it works.

The proof of success should not be through exams akin to Moral Studies exams in schools in which students may score "A" but exhibit or practice "F" behaviour.

I hope all the defenders of human rights of criminals will be willing to put their suggestions into practice and show us that the criminals, or most of them, can be made to turn over a new leaf by actively coming forward to do what they recommend.

They should not just say what ought to be done and expect others (who do not have the expertise) to do it and make a mess of it.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.