Corruption, Perception and Myth

From the STAR, page N12 Nation
Tuesday November 7, 2006


Corruption ranking slips

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia fell five ranks to 44th place on Transparency International's 2006 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) from 39th place last year, according to reports announced in Berlin yesterday. Although Malaysia fell five spots, the number of economies in the index has also increased by five from 158 to 163, said Malaysian Society for Transparency and Integrity (Transparency International local chapter) president Tan Sri Ramon Navaratnam yesterday.

Malaysia fell to five points out of 10 compared with 5.1 points last year. Of 25 economies in the 2006 CPI Asia Pacific, Malaysia ranked 10th.

Finland ranked first in the CPI and Haiti the lowest.

“Malaysia’s weakened ranking is disappointing despite initiatives taken by the Government to combat corruption,” said Ramon.

“This could possibly be because the Malaysian Institute of Integrity (MII) and the National Integrity Plan were initiated in 2004 and were not considered in the report.

“There are weaknesses in the study methodology, such as some countries’ results being based on three studies, and others, like Malaysia, on nine.

“Despite weaknesses in the methods used, we have to admit that we have been on the decline in public perceptions.

“We are more convinced that the ACA must be independent.”

Since the index was based on perceptions, MII deputy president Mustafar Ali said it was up to Malaysians to come up with a better index.

Anti-Corruption Agency deputy director-general Datuk Zakaria Jaffar said the agency was independent and could investigate politicians, but people were not willing to come forward with information.

Zakaria said the ACA had prepared the curriculum for schools and hoped that it would become a subject next year.

Staff were trained to do forensic accounting and were now profiling individuals and companies, he said.

“In the past, we used to win only about 50% of court cases but now 70%, and we are now targeting 80%,” Zakaria said.

Before 2001, data available showed that 46 people were prosecuted compared with 71 cases this year alone, he said.
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DESIDERATA:

First off, let me note that Navaratnam was also involved in a decision-making vis-a-vis Dr Lim Teck Ghee's resignation from ASLI's think tank after his official report that the Bumi equity stood at 45% (inferred to have surpassed the target of 30%) was dismissed by ASLI board, including Navaratnam (what position he holds there,II'll report back latere, can?) ONLY AFTER THE GOVERNMENT LEADERS LAMBASTED THE REPORT, not for the several months the report was handed in by Dr Lim in conjunction with the input for formulation opf the 9th Malaysia Plan. This raises in my mind the important issue of INTEGRITY, and hence I wonder if he is in the best position to be a s[pkesman for TI?

Second:

“This could possibly be because the Malaysian Institute of Integrity (MII) and the National Integrity Plan were initiated in 2004 and were not considered in the report. " WHY DOES THE TI SPOKESMAN NEED TO RAISE A DEFENCE FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO EXPLAIN THE LOWER RANKING? Hey, you're sypposed to be an independent body; otherwise, go back to ASLI and become ASLI's spokesperson, not TI!

Third:

“There are weaknesses in the study methodology, such as some countries’ results being based on three studies, and others, like Malaysia, on nine."

Again, the study methodology becomes an issue! Isn't this a familiar refrain? mGf, think m.v. ASsLI, think Dr Lim again, think TITANIC, think scurrying rats ...


PS: I leave thee with these thoughts and will abandon sinking ship called m.v. NegaraKUkc for a week because I am dying trying to keep head above freezing sub-zero water, and like one of my recent nu'de readers, suffer OXYGENdeprivation.


Before I say Adieu, please visit malaysia-today.net and seek out GUEST COLUMNIST Kim Quek's take on
ZAKARIA SCANDAL: FIASCO TO UMNO? dated Nov 4, 2006,
from which I extract the following summing up:

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"Returning now to Abdullah’s press conference, during which he announced UMNO supreme council’s decision on Zakaria, I fail to see his logic in letting off Zakaria lightly.

Abdullah said Zakaria’s political position in the party should not be disturbed because Zakaria’s transgressions of the law is a government matter, not a party concern. If that is the case, why wasn’t his case handled by the cabinet? Why should his fate have been decided by the UMNO supreme council, and not the federal cabinet? (Incidentally, doesn’t this incident confirm the oft expressed opinion that it is UMNO which wields real power in this country, not the coalition?)

Abdullah also said Zakaria was a good party leader. This exertion is strange indeed. Can a scandal ridden leader known as a habitual and atrocious transgressor of the law be a good leader? If a prime minister can answer ‘yes’ to this question, what can we make of him and his leadership?

Abdullah considers the deprivation of municipal councillorship is good enough punishment for Zakaria, then what about the dubious legitimacy of his wealth, his doubtful income tax payment record, the corrupt acquisition of state land to himself and alienation of state land to a third party at a price injurious to the state? Since this scandal has assumed top prominence, creating an air of crisis of confidence, shouldn’t a good prime minister have promptly ordered proper action -- waking the ACA and police from their slumber – and restore confidence to the government?

With the dictatorial power vested in the government, there is no doubt that UMNO will ride roughshod over this incident without hindrance, but it will serve them well to ponder how far they can go in the same direction without bringing calamity to themselves and the nation.

As for Malaysians at large, this is a good opportunity to gain an insight and take stock of the true state of governance that our elected leadership is providing us. Can we afford to let the status quo continue? If not, is there any hope that the same leadership will bring the necessary changes to avert eventual disaster?"

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Desi serves thee a parting refrain before I decide if I want to get back on board the ship, even if you assure me the captain has woken up from deep sleep like Rip van Wink-blink:

When a crooked Wakil Rakyat builds a "small" house
Only four storeys and on land meant for the poor
Without planning approvals, he scurries like a mouse
And Big Brother gives him a tap on the wrist, says:
Semuanya okay, Just don't do it again!
Or at least wait until after the next general election.

And when Joe Public builds a BIG satay stall by the roadside
The PWD says that I'll give ye 24, You blardy hell take It down!
So patriotic JP goes see BN Assemblyman wearing his UMNO crown
I'm sympathetic to your cause, just don't do It again, his aside
Next time around, just build a small house like mine, all'll be fine!

Seeya people,
what I wrote afore
is jest a MYTH,
Don't mind Desi
He must be craxxy.


My perception is that this Goevrnment
Is just perpetuating a Myth, a Sandiwara
So that we'll achieve Developed Nation status
Acording to Selangor's criteria.

God save your soul,
Mr MP and SA.
Shuff your transparency up yours
Where te sun don't shine.

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