YOURSAY 'As my former boss, he used to talk to me about good governance and how we must do the right things and be seen doing the right things.'

A cock-and-bull story, Awang Adek

your say ONG: It looks like the Umnoputras are now redefining corruption.

Henceforth, decision on whether an act of procuring and receiving money is corrupt or not corrupt will be based on how the money received is spent and disbursed by the recipient, and no more on how the money was procured.

Lone_star: Deputy finance minister Awang Adek is such a great person. He has gone to great lengths and trouble to collect donations to help the poor folks of Bacok.

For those of you who have been to Bachok lately, don't you see how well-dressed the lekor sellers along the beach front of Pantai Irama are these days. Villagers talk about the six-star hotel which will be coming up soon, courtesy of this magnanimous deputy minister and the donations collected.

He must be forgiven that the donations have to be banked into his personal accounts as having separate accounts would just mess things up and caused more trees to be chopped down.

As can be seen, there is also this greenie and environmentalist in him. Open one's eyes to see clearly the many things he represents. Don't just see things that worth the MACC's oversight.

Sarawakian_3ff9: Can the MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) state categorically whether this is corruption as all Malaysians would assume it to be? And what if an opposition member is caught doing the same thing?

It seems that corruption as defined by normal people is no longer considered so by corrupt politicians. It has become their rights.

Awang Adek, what a poor and silly way to vindicate yourself from this mess. As a deputy finance minister, I have expected a more creditable story from you.

Teh Thian Hwa: Awang Adek used to be a senior Bank Negara officer - an assistant governor, no less. For him to spout nonsense like this just confirms the dire straits Malaysia is in.

Sincere Citizen: If the MACC is serious and not busy viewing porn videos, they might be able to get the culprit who transferred funds into Awang Adek's bank account.

Malaysiasakit: I am disappointed in Awang Adek. As my former boss, he used to talk to me about good governance and how we must do the right thing and be seen doing the right thing.

I had heaps of respect for him, until now. As a former Bank Negara assistant governor, this really hurts.

Donations to politicians' accounts 'unacceptable'

Changeagent: It is only in Malaysia where it can still be difficult for the authorities to prove a corruption case despite direct money trails into a politician's personal bank account.

In most other countries, it would be considered a clear-cut breach of authority and corruption. Either MACC immediately draws up new regulations to ban politicians from accepting any form of personal donations, or they might as well close up shop.

As a deputy minister, there is no excuse for Awang Adek. I am quite sure he is aware of the code of conduct, written or unwritten.

The trouble with this government is that his peers are all the same - bending the rules to satisfy their own greed and material gains. The obvious answer is to vote for a change.

Foo: I still remember even as a lowly school class teacher, I was time and again warned/reminded by my head to surrender to the school's finance clerk immediately any money (fees) collected from students. Anything else will be considered to have breached the general orders.

Putting the money in personal account? You must be joking - that's a clear case of misconduct. Maybe these rules apply only to normal civil servants, while political secretaries and ministers are excluded.

Multi Racial: Transparency International Malaysia's Paul Low, what do you mean by saying, "You are not saying that Awang is guilty of corruption"?

It is obvious what he did was wrong and it is a clear-cut corruption. If what he did is acceptable, then corruption should be declared legal.

I don't agree with Transparency International's view that a good practice would have been to channel the donations to the party division. How can this be good practice?

What if the money came from vested interest, like those who have dealing with his ministry and government agencies. Isn't that is consider bribery too?

As a senior officer of Transparency International, you should define clearer guidelines of what is acceptable and what is not.

Pakman: When an Umno minister received cash donation, it is okay, but when Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim donated cows for Korban Hari Raya Aidiladha, these goons said it was corruption.

Do these goons think that we are like cows?

 

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