COMMENT | Who will drive an anti-corruption culture in Malaysia?

COMMENT | Last Friday, a friend responded to my article on corruption in the police force with this statement: “Corruption is not only part of the police culture. It is a Malaysian culture.”

Many of us will readily agree. I’m sure Lim Kit Siang will also nod his head in agreement. Only last Thursday, the DAP veteran and Iskandar Puteri MP spoke up against corruption, noting a global survey which gave Malaysian MPs a bad name.

The long-serving MP has valid reasons to be ashamed too. Why? He is in the profession frowned upon by many but we do know one thing – Lim has never been linked to any dubious deals during his many decades as an MP. His record is impeccable on that score.

As Lim roared last week, “Malaysian MPs should be ashamed that 36 percent of Malaysians surveyed in the Global Corruption Barometer for Asia 2020 regard them as corrupt”.

As a Malaysian MP, I expect Parliament to act swiftly and promptly to establish the honour and integrity of Malaysian MPs, the DAP supremo said. Lim also wants a greater commitment to fight corruption and establish Malaysia as one of the top 30 countries in the world in public integrity before 2030.

Sorry, Mr Lim, I doubt that will ever happen.

Corruption has long been a Malaysian culture, that’s why. The culture of corruption in Malaysia, as it is everywhere, is tough to defeat. The majority are in politics to seek a better life for themselves. They are 'careerist politicians'. Even the ‘cleanest’ among them has to concede to that fact.

If not, why are politicians reluctant to let go of their positions voluntarily but would cling on till their final breath, if possible?

(I feel bad to bring this up but let me do it anyway. How ...