The prime minister's new National Integrity Plan - the new administration's anti-graft blueprint - will be difficult to see to fruition unless the rhetoric and ideals of the plan is backed up by practical solutions to immediate corruption problems.

Tunku Abdul Aziz Ibrahim, president of anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International Malaysia told malaysiakini that while the immediate implementation of the integrity plan is commendable, it is nevertheless lacking in practical solutions that would have impact.

"The document is full of platitudes and lofty ideals, which are in themselves good...but how are they going to implement it? In dealing with corruption, one should know where the problems are," he said.

But Abdul Aziz was quick to point out one promising aspect of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's maiden attempt at institutionalising a clean government - which is the intention to keep the integrity plan as a living and evolving document.

"It is good that he does not see the document as authoritative, but still subject to improvement. What needs to be done very quickly now is to put in an implementable framework.

Start with leaders

It is important, said Abdul Aziz, that Abdullah realise what sort of candidates ought to be prioritised in the anti-graft effort.

"As the saying goes, charity begins at home. The government should concentrate more of its energies to members of the government. It should begin with the leaders."

Similar to the code of ethics for BN elected representatives, he said the integrity plan too risks to be 'toothless' unless the government declares how it intends to enforce the new standards.

"As a feel good statement, that is fine, but how do you intend to fix the problem?" he posed.

The national integrity plan was launched by Abdullah in front of cabinet and state leaders, and diplomats in the administrative capital of Putrajaya yesterday morning.

In his speech, Abdullah said the plan is aimed at creating a new society, and to fix the existing value system that has fallen victim to modernisation, and hence open to corruption, lack of civic consciousness, lack of regard for the environment and public amenities.

'Don't get carried away

'

"The occurrence of corruption and abuse does not gel with the people's aspiration to live in an ethical society that is free from corruption. What's the use of having a Malaysia society that is rich materially but devoid of moral values, ethics and integrity," Abdullah was quoted by state news agency Bernama as saying.

He also announced the launching of the Malaysian Integrity Institute, as an agency independent of government, to oversee the implementation of the plan.

Chief Secretary to the Government Samsudin Osman (photo left) was appointed its first chairperson. The rest of the board will be appointed in due course.

Abdullah was also quoted as saying: "For the first time, integrity is being looked at closely, specifically and in an integrated manner.

"However, we must not get carried away by suspicion and emotion or trial by media where a person is considered guilty before the matter is thoroughly investigated," the prime minister added.

Who are his aides?

But the issue of public perception is exactly where much of the government's problem lies, said Abdul Aziz.

"Abdullah should have brought into the new cabinet people who are not implicated. Of course, one understands the political reality, but over time, the issue (of perception) has to be addressed," he said.

"Otherwise, his plea - for the people to work with him - will sound terribly hollow."

And while Abdullah seem determined, the best barometer to gauge the success of the premier's quest, will be on whether he can surround himself with "people who have no agenda and who detest corruption."

"Those who benefit will be happy if he does not succeed. But others, who expect at long last a change from the previous regime led by Dr Mahathir Mohamad, will be observing closely. Rhetoric is no longer enough," he said.

Cart before horse

Lim Kit Siang, national chairperson of the opposition DAP described the plan as "full of beautiful and noble sentiments", but he stressed that it is important that such a plan not end up a dead letter, with a wide divide between promise and practice - as did the 1994 Judges' Code of Ethics.

The opposition leader is also critical that the government has chosen to invite public consultation only after the plan has been implemented.

"This is putting the cart before the horse," Lim said, adding that the latest plan is exactly how a national plan should not be drafted in an era of democracy and transparency.

"The drafting and launching of a national integrity plan does not per se make a country clean and incorruptible, or set it on a path of greater integrity," he said.

Instead, Abdullah and his administration seemed to have gotten it backwards, by holding today's launch at the RM650 million Putrajaya Convention Centre.

"Both Abdullah and Samsuddin in their speeches had referred to the culture of materialism as the root cause (to corruption). When listening to them, I reflected on the utterly inappropriate launching of the national integrity plan at the convention centre, which is the very symbol and apotheosis of such cultural materialism," he added.