Holding key to Nation's Future

Sabah, Sarawak and Johor hold key to nation's future 

By: Steve Yaman 

CARETAKER PM Datuk Seri Najib pledged to fight corruption, boost public services and seek a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council if his coalition partners retain power in elections due in a matter of weeks. Former Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Adviser Tan Sri Robert Phang on October 3, 2012 said that the international anti-corruption conference in Kuala Lumpur was a waste of time and an occasion for the Malaysian government to pretend that it is serious about fighting graft.

Lim Kit Siang said, "No reason to celebrate but many grounds to rue over Transparency International (TI) 2012 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) which ranked Malaysia 54th as compared to 60th in 2011 as least corrupt country in the world". Malaysia is below average in international rankings and scores.

In 1995, under Mahathir, we were at No. 23, by 2003 under A. Badawi we were at No. 37, by 2008 we were at No. 47 and today under Najib we are at No. 54 (2012). How can Najib pledge to fight corruption when Malaysia is worse off in ranking than his predecessors.

What is the use of Najib promising more specialist graft courts and greater public disclosure of government contracts if BN has no intention to ensure that laws, rules and regulations are strictly enforced without fear or favour? It seems that there are two standards - one that is only applicable to ordinary citizens and the other to the rich and powerful politicians and cronies. If BN has been in power for the last 55 years and Najib has not done anything about corruption in his last four years as PM, do you think do anything this time around?

There are so many cases and issues involving powerful politicians that have been raised in the past. The PM and relevant authorities have so far chosen to remain quiet and no action has been taken.

Furthermore, the caretaker PM Najib recently expressed, "My sincere apologies to all Malaysians if we have done anything wrong" which had been broadcast live on national television.

In fact, if Najib and BN are sincere in the fight against corruption, they must bring to justice all who are involved.

Najib said, "At the end of the day, we are ordinary humans. I can assure you that we will do better in the next five years" as if to justify their wrongdoings.

Is it human to be corrupt, to overspend and increase national debt from RM258 billion to RM504 billion in four years, to allow capital flight of about RM1 trillion in 10 years when ordinary citizens have to fill up Bank Negara forms and declare every transaction of more than US$10,000 sent out of Malaysia, etc.

Malaysia has in 50 years failed in so many ways compared with Singapore and Brunei. Our Ringgit had fallen to record lows against the Singapore and Brunei dollar.

Prices of goods and services have increased tremendously and are expected to increase further with the GST (Goods and Services Tax) going into the 3rd and final reading in Parliament if BN wins. The people of Malaysia are the "king makers" and Sabah, Sarawak and Johor will decide the future of Malaysia.