YOURSAY | “The government appears helpless to make meaningful changes.”
Agong describes corruption in armed forces as ‘tip of the iceberg'
Apanama is Back: It is not only the “tip of the iceberg” in the armed forces.
Across the entire country, corruption is merely the tip of the iceberg, judging by the number of discharge not amounting to acquittal (DNAA) decisions, no further action (NFA) outcomes, discounted pardons, incoming house arrest, and possibly another full pardon.
Your Majesty, your government is fighting corruption “habis‑habisan” (to the death) - to the point I have lost count of the DNAA and NFA cases.
Do not worry, my king. Soon the government will “clean up” the armed forces using some sanitisation and dilution process that will supposedly make them “lebih bersih daripada bersih” (cleaner than clean).
Rest assured, the country is under an administration that claims zero tolerance for corruption. This includes zero tolerance for “parti yeye” - parties allegedly held in military bases involving soldiers and escorts from outside the camp.
And by the way, congratulations on opening the current Parliament session.
Ra1965: Corruption is a well‑known “culture” in the civil service. Look at the “flying passport” incident in Immigration that was referred to the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC).
According to a report in Malaysiakini, the EAIC said an immigration officer has been confirmed to be involved in carrying out “flying passport” activity at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 on June 2 last year.
However, the disciplinary action was so lenient. This is “penderhakaan” (a betrayal) to the country.
Where are we heading as a nation? Worse still, the Attorney‑General’s Chambers issued an NFA for the 47 corruption charges against Deputy Prime Minister and Umno chief Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. What action will be taken against the attorney-general?
Can Your Majesty summon the AG, reprimand him, and review the case so the courts can decide?
HG Angus: The tip of the iceberg on corruption applies to all government departments. Sadly, corruption has become institutionalised, and the government appears helpless to make meaningful changes.
New recruits are often forced or induced to follow their corrupt seniors, and it becomes extremely difficult to report such practices.
After a few months, corruption becomes normalised.
Headhunter: It is encouraging that His Majesty, the Yang di‑Pertuan Agong, is speaking up about corruption. Everyone in Malaysia knows this problem exists, and many have been victims of corrupt officers and politicians.
Even when officials and politicians are caught and charged, they still receive special treatment, defeating the purpose of bringing them to court. That is why corruption appears unstoppable.
We must address this problem before it is too late.
Dr Suresh Kumar: When there is almost zero accountability for corrupt practices, and when offenders know the most they will receive if caught is a mere slap on the wrist, they become complacent or adopt a “tidak apa” (apathetic) attitude.
When the so‑called fake graft‑buster does nothing tangible to fight corruption but merely goes around shouting “lawan rasuah” (fight corruption) while selectively targeting certain “mahakaya” (ultrarich), ignoring those associated with him, the slogan becomes meaningless.
Even in former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak’s case, why were the other actors (persons of interest) not charged or questioned, including one former BN governor? This is why some believe Najib did not receive a fair hearing or that it was political persecution.
The law must be applied fairly and equally, not selectively or it will come back to bite when those in power eventually fall.
Bluemountains: Other than Najib, name one politician who has been sent to prison for corruption.
Even those with several charges were allowed to walk free and were later given positions of power. You cannot blame those down the line for being corrupt. As the saying goes, ‘monkey see, monkey do’.
You cannot expect politicians and civil servants to fear corruption when the government is merely paying lip service to fighting it.
Rupert16: During his opening address in Parliament today (yesterday), Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar said, “I’m certain there are many others out there, whether in the Immigration Department, amongst customs officials, the police, including those in this Dewan, to be hunted down, until they are found”.
When they are found, please ask our prime minister and the attorney-general not to release them on a DNAA even after the judge has decided that there is a prima facie case.
Lastly, please do not give discounts on jail sentence on these convicted corrupt guys or even allow them to jump the queue when seeking pardons from the Pardons Board. Thank you.
GrayParrot9290: Corruption is a scourge that can destroy any nation, and it begins with a leader who has the political will to eradicate it. Unfortunately, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is not that leader.
To make Malaysia corruption‑free, we must make bold decisions and vote out the current weak and incompetent government. Long live our esteemed rulers, not the sitting government.
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