Lifting the air of sceptism, a wee bit

As a writer dedicated to CivilSociety issues, I had taken a long leave of absence from that field for some time, as, like many fellow Malaysians, I was getting tired and weary. Like a heavy laden traveller, I'd rather adjourn to a sojourn at an oasis of food, poetry and reverie -- no, no wine, women, alright, there's song.And there is light, meaning, and answerability.

Am I stating a truism that Malysians have been enveloped in a shroud of cynicism and despondency the past yera? Our prime minister has one-an-half years ago on taking office, pledged: I'll walk the talk on delivering a clean, accountable, responsive and transparent government. Pak Lah wants to listen to us -- wants us the Rakyat to tell it as it is -- no balls-carrying, (Pardon some lesss than genteel language, but wth! better than 4-letter swearing) in very crass terms, and I'm saying it as it is,as the very honourable Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, has asked for it. No currying or other favouring.

But the events of the past few days restored some optimism in me -- the air of sceptism has been lifted a little -- a wee bit, no doubt, still it gives rise to hope. Read the two page 1 headlines in theSun today:

ACA: We will act

Director and ex-remisier deny fixing share price

Not to bore thee, my most esteemed readers, the gist to the first story is that the Anti-Corruption Agency chief, Zulkifli Mat Noor said the ACA would investigate any UMNO leader found to have been involved in money politics.

This assurance was given in light of the PM's comment on Sunday that UMNO members found guilty of breaching party ethics might be referred to the ACA, if there is strong evidence of involvement in money politics.

Last Friday, UMNO vice-president Isa Samad was found guilty of several charges and suspended for six years by the party disciplinary board for involvement in money politics.

The gist to the second news report is that a company director Chin Chan Leong was charged in a sessions court for manipulating shares on the Bursa Malaysia Securities Bhd (formerly Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange), to which he pleaded not guilty, while a remisier Hiew Yoke Lan, claimed trial to abetting Chin.


Chin, a datuk, aged 52, claimed trial to:
+ creating a misleading appearance of active trading in Fountain View Development Bhd shares by selling and buying the shares that do not involve any change in their beneficial ownership, through the central depository securities accounts; and
++ creating a misleading appearance with respect to the price of Fountain View shares on Bursa Malaysia, by selling and buying the shares that do not involve any change in their beneficial ownership.


I said it's just a slight lifting off the veil of sceptism because there is much, much more that needs to be done, in the areas to transparency and good governance -- both in government and the corporate world. I recall:

* Leaders past and present have lamented that the cancer of corruption has become endemic. Indeed, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad had recently stated corruption had worsened, moving from under-the-table to above-the-table.

His repeated appeals that the government publish the lists of AP permit holders (with his son identified by International trade and Industry Minister Rafidah Aziz as one such holder...)have been rebuffed. I support the good doctor's calls not because it came from a former nation's CEO, but that IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO -- all in line with Pak Lah's professed commitment to good governance.

** Witness also that the Securities Commission had not been dishing out appropraie punishment in sa few cases of breaches of Bursa Malaysia's rules and regulations with respect to listed companies. A company that reported a profit of some RM100million, then amended the result to a loss of RM20million within a few days of its initial profit announcement, merely was fined RM100,000 for the offence.

Also, several developers involved in the Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam land and environment degradation and devastation fiasco got away with just several tens of thousand rinngit fines. A pittance to these corporattions -- so that detrrence is that?

It really begs the question: are the real culprits deterred by such slaps on the wrist? (Hey, the CEO or directors or accountants were not penalised at all, it is the shareholders' monies that were used to pay the fines!)

Desiderata's hopes: that today's headline news are only the top icing of Pak Lah's administration really staring to WALKING THE TALK. The rakyat,at least this humble Desi, I assure him, will stand behind him, rain or shine. Please let me not do another escapade to my Oasis that soon!