Letter writers here have pointed out that the financial drain due to incompetence and political nepotism seems to be rising, threatening to de-rail our national objective of becoming a developed nation by 2020.

There was also a very interesting letter highlighting the decline of primary school enrollment and that Malaysia is lagging behind some African countries when it comes to primary educational spending.

The underlying grouse that links these issues is accountability, or the lack thereof. In indignation, one writer even lamented the lack of shame that some of our so-called politicians exhibited when news of their wrongdoings came to light.

As we strive for developed world status, it might be wise for our nation's leaders to ponder the consequences should we actually achieve that status. What really differentiates a developed nation is not material development but the quality of human capital. Accountability is key here.

Recently, British police questioned the sitting British prime minister over the 'money for peerage' scandal. In his three terms in power, several of Tony Blair's ministers had to resign when wrongdoing or poor conduct was exposed. Mind you, most of them were good at their jobs but slipped in either their personal lives or had conducted themselves in such fashion as to give rise to a possibility that graver wrongdoings might come about. In short, they lost the trust of the public.

Even the British queen's financial statements were subject to severe public scrutiny and there was much indignation over the fact that the Prince of Wales may have used the royal jet once too often. To keep them on their toes, the press in Britain, as elsewhere in the so-called developed world, has near-total freedom to question political leaders and public officers no matter who they are.

Now, why is the press allowed to question the queen, the PM, ministers and powerful corporate leaders with impunity? I believe the British public have decided that accountability is paramount. Hence, one cannot just speak about running a clean government, allow for the airing of 'dirty laundry' but then follow up with very little action. It erodes credibility and demoralises the people. Once apathy sets in and corruption becomes a way of life, the road to becoming a failed state becomes very real.

Of course, Britain is not free from corruption. Controversy erupted over a lucrative weapons sale with Saudi Arabia but the press immediately put the spotlight on the PM. The latter immediately responded by saying that he assumes full responsibility. The fate of his party now hangs in the balance.

In Malaysia, since the late Tunku Abdul Rahman stepped aside after the May 13 racial riots, no PM has ever taken responsibility for the foibles of state. Similarly, no minister or government official has ever had to be responsible for whatever that went wrong with their ministry or with the execution of public policy. In the realm of industry, very few have been made accountable for business failures and instead, public funds are used to bail them out.

So, the present PM's attempt to infuse this alien concept of accountability is greeted as a joke by his colleagues, left un-enforced by his smiling public servants and greeted with skepticism by the public.

If Malaysia wants to join the ranks of the First World instead of sliding down the ranks of developing ones, it needs to work much harder. This means that its people have to assume responsibility for their actions.

Now, aren't our politicians lucky we do not share the tradition of the Japanese? Otherwise some castle-building feudal lord in Klang might have received the ceremonial keris and invited to commit 'harakiri'. We do not demand such drastic measures but we do hope, as taxpayers, that our leaders leave behind their feudal attitudes of the past.