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CORRUPTION
– TI-S REPORT 2007: MEASURES TO COMBAT CORRUPTION IN THE JUDICIARY
AND TO PROMOTE TRANSPARENCY AND INTEGRITY
May
24, 2007 by Tan
Sri (Dr) Ramon V. Navaratnam
We
are still low in our rating and this has continuing adverse
implications on the future prospects for the socio-economic and
political stability and progress of Malaysia.
The
government and all Malaysians must review and reform our society and
governance as soon as possible to prevent the slide in transparency
and integrity that is now taking place in our country, before it is
too late.
If
we do not take purposeful measures now to combat corruption, Malaysia
will head towards the beginnings of an environment of a failing
state!
The
following are some important measures inter alia, that TI-Malaysia
will keep campaigning for, to raise our TI rating:-
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Firstly,
to establish a culture of integrity and transparency. The
constitution and the rule of law must be upheld without fear or
favor. The public perception of the judiciary and the rule of law
must be of the highest order- but there is considerable public doubt
at this time.
-
I
propose that the Bar Council and ASLI-CPPS could have a survey to
find out the level of faith and confidence in the jury/public
-
The
National Integrity Plan (NIP) has to be reflected in the 9th
Malaysia Plan, Industrial Master Plan (IMP) and Annual Budgets etc
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Reduce
the rhetoric and go for reality
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Aim
for zero corruption and you’ll get somewhere- abolish the “close
one eye” approach
-
Government
must be seen to be serious! Malaysia’s image is important to
obtain better perceptions that can impact favorably on the TI
rating
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IIM/ACA
must strengthen connectivity with public – to enhance confidence
and trust.
-
ACA
will have to be independent or closely monitored and supervised –
who does it now and how effectively?
-
Introduce
“Integrity Pacts (IP)” as soon as possible – in public and
private sectors.
-
Declare
assets and liabilities of political leaders and senior officials to
Public Accounts Committee or an independent Parliamentary Commission
of Eminent Persons.
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Public
and Private Procurement have to be subjected to Open Public Tendering
– only exceptions should be made for negotiated contracts for
special considerations like security and for highly specialized goods
and services in any case, full jurisdiction for negotiated contracts
must be made public for the sake of good governance, transparency and
accountability.
- Whistle blowers
should be encouraged and protected by law. Reward whistle blowers
like income tax and custom informers.
- Investigate
officials and private individuals who “Live beyond their means”.
-
Corrupt
suspects should be asked to show cause and be administratively
penalized if evidence is hard to obtain for litigation.
-
“Hadhari”
should be implemented in regards to sound values of integrity and
punishment. The recent rejection of an international interfaith
conference gives the wrong signals that we are not sufficiently
transparent, open and supportive of the principles of “Hadhari”
and that we do not practice what we preach.
- Publicize
successful convictions for corruption.
-
Educate
the public on the evils and dangers of corruption from childhood.
For
the above and other measures to be introduced as a matter of priority
– we need stronger political will which appears lacking at this
time. We cannot afford weak political will to combat corruption and
to have greater integrity instilled in all our institutions and our
national culture.
We will continue to succeed or decline depending on how much political
will all Malaysians will exercise in their day to day conduct and
especially at the ballot box.
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