>> MIM Speaks
CORRUPTION REARS ITS UGLY HEAD
MAR 29, 1998 -
THE STAR
ECONOMIC globalisation offers opportunities for unethical and
corrupt practice on a massive scale. In many countries, there
is a growing realisation that corruption hurts everyone.
It deepens poverty, distorts social and economic development,
and erodes the provision of essential public services. It
undermines democracy, favours "competitive bribery" rather
than open competition based on price, quality and delivery.
It denies, in particular, the benefits of free competition,
retards private sector development by creating uncertainties
and discourages new investment.
World Bank president James Wolfensohn remarked recently that
"Corruption, by definition, is exclusive: it promotes the
interests of the few over the many. We must fight it wherever
we find it."
The real concerns of the destructive nature of corruption
include:
* Decisions are not taken for public benefit, but for private
interests.
* High cost, complex and prestigious projects are favoured
over cost-efficient, community-base development projects using
appropriate technology.
* A "levy" ranging from 10 to 20% is added to public-funded
projects. "White elephants" are a bur den on the whole
society and worsen national debt.
* Human rights abuses flourish As corruption levels increase,
a government becomes more secretive becomes less tolerant of
dissent and is quick to resort to draconian laws to force
conformity. Social and economic justice and individual rights
are threatened.
Need and scope for an International agenda
Because corruption is difficult to detect, combating it
effectively is generally beyond the capability of governments
acting an their own without public support. Economic
globalisation makes the job even more difficult.
Privatisation, if not handled transparently, is open to grand
corruption. There is, therefore, a need for all of us to do
all we can to influence the agendas of international
organizations to ensure that they give high priority in their
action programmes to curbing corruption.
Transparency International, for example, has helped shape
public policy discussions in several industrialised countries,
in the OECD the International Chamber of Commerce in Paris as
well as in regional meetings of the OAS and EU by proposing
new legislation against transnational corruption.
For example, on Nov 20 last year, OECD member countries and
five non-member countries - Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile
and the Slovak Republic - adopted a Convention on Combating
Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in International Business
Transactions.
What can ordinary Citizens do to help?
How can a small group of concerned citizens hope to make a
difference? Perhaps the following initiatives taken by TI
national chapters may give some idea of what is possible by
way of creating awareness about the effects of corruption and
in the process, containing it:
* Making representations to Parliament and lobbying for new
laws or codes of conduct, as has been done in Australia and
Germany.
* Reminding government, Parliament and political parties of
election manifestos and promises on strengthening
anti-corruption instruments and mechanisms, as in the case of
India.
* Establishing close professional co-operation with
anti-corruption institutions (Malaysia, Tanzania, Uganda).
* Supporting the development of codes of ethics for MPs and
the business community (US, South Africa, Tanzania).
* Developing a national corruption index (South Africa).
* Translating the TI Source Book into a local language
(Hungary).
* Working on education tools for children (Denmark).
* Writing letters to the newspapers highlighting specific
issues and generating public debate (Malaysia, Tanzania).
* Organising campaigns at election time to commit candidates
to anti-corruption platforms if elected, incorporating an
agreement to make a public declaration of their assets,
including those of their spouses (Papua New Guinea, Tanzania).
There are dozens more examples of practical initiatives that
are being taken with varying degrees of success by ordinary
men and women in many parts of the world, and all with one aim
in mind - to develop-and strengthen national integrity systems
of their countries.
Without public accountability and transparency, without
integrity in national life, sustainable and meaningful human
development has little or no hope of finding genuine
expression. That is why it is so important for all of us to
contribute to the development of a national integrity system
that puts the interests of the many over those of the few,
embodying recognised "best practices" consistent with the
economic social and moral needs of an ethical nation.
The twin pillars that support such a nation must, without
question, be transparency and integrity. A tall order, but
worth striving for if Vision 2020 is going to bring about a
balanced transformation to the lives of our citizens.
The Malaysian reality
Until recently, the 'C' word was taboo and not talked about in
polite society. Such was the effectiveness of self-censorship
our society had inflicted upon itself that it became a
compliant accessory after the fact.
Typically, it bore silent witness to acts of widespread
corruption, and in many ways gave comfort to those who
perpetrated them by turning a blind eye to what was going on,
particularly in the 1970s.
But following the appearance of the TI Corruption Index in
1995, and again in 1996, which put the spotlight on some
countries perceived to be corrupt and ranked accordingly,
questions were raised in Parliament about corruption in
national life.
This was the signal for the flood-gates to open, for the first
time there was informed debate on corruption issues in the
press and else- where. There was genuine concern about our
international image and standing.
Matters were greatly helped by the input of Deputy Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who recognising the problems
existing across the national spectrum prepared to take the
lead in condemning corruption.
Things began to move in a positive way. The long-awaited new
anti-corruption laws giving greater powers to the
Anti-Corruption Agency were soon in place.
The ACA, even with all the powers and resources at its
disposal will continue to remain impotent without the active
support of all sections of the community.
The battle for our national integrity clearly has to be joined
in every kampung and city, barrack room and mansion, local
government office and ministerial suite wherever and whenever
the spectre of unethical or corrupt behaviour manifests
itself.
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