I have been asking myself – When will MACC command public confidence to the extent that Malaysians will publicly rally to its support against any obstruction of anti-corruption efforts as is happening in Indonesia?
In Indonesia, we are seeing the phenomenon of the Indonesian people publicly rallying to the support of the Indonesian anti-corruption agency, the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to protest moves to frame KPK investigators and cripple the KPK anti-corruption campaign.
The Indonesian public believe that that the KPK has become the target of the police and the attorney-general’s office because of its reputation of putting corrupt officials behind bars – even those in high places.
Indonesians respect the KPK but have little faith in the police or the judiciary.
Two KPK anti-graft investigators became the cause célèbre in Indonesia, with a million people joining Facebook supporting them, over a conspiracy by Indonesia’s top detective and the country’s chief prosecutor to falsely imprison them over extortion and abuse of power.
Indonesians across the archipelago sat transfixed for hours as wire-tapped recordings were broadcast on national television of discussions between members of the police, the attorney-general’s office and a businessman in a conspiracy to weaken the KPK by framing the anti-corruption agency.
When will such a phenomenon take place in Malaysia with the Malaysian public rallying to the defence of MACC to support its anti-corruption campaign?
In Malaysia, if there is a public demonstration it will be against the MACC and not in support for the anti-corruption agency – as in the case of the mysterious plunge to death of DAP aide Teoh Beng Hock on July 16 after he went to the 14th floor MACC headquarters in Shah Alam to help in MACC investigations over a RM2,400 constituency allocation.
The Indonesian KPK has won the trust and confidence of Indonesians as it had made enemies across the spectrum of Indonesian government and administration for its successful prosecutions and its far-reaching powers to wiretap suspects and probe their bank accounts.
MACC however achieved the exact reverse, forfeiting even more public support and confidence than the Anti-Corruption Agency which it replaced on January 1 this year as it has proved to be even more of a catspaw of Umno/Barisan Nasional masters to further their political agenda against the Pakatan Rakyat.
(Speech by DAP Parliamentary Leader and MP for Ipoh Timor Lim Kit Siang at the Pakatan Rakyat Deepavali reception at Teluk Intan on Sunday, 8th November 2009)
#1 by k1980 on Sunday, 8 November 2009 - 6:27 pm
The macc will never gain any respect if it insists on selective persecution and going after small flies instead of the big rotten sharks such as Chan KC, Tiong Bintulu and Khir Tuyul. The Second World War would never had been brought to an early end in 1945 if the Americans had never dropped the A-bombs on Japan. To put an end to nonsense, it is necessary to chop off the monkey’s head to frighten off the chickens, and not the other way around.
#2 by Winston on Sunday, 8 November 2009 - 7:15 pm
“When will such a phenomenon take place in Malaysia with the Malaysian public rallying to the defence of MACC to support its anti-corruption campaign?”
Uncle Lim, the Indonesians are lucky indeed to have Bambang Yudhoyono as their President.
Although a general he is also an honest and capable administrator.
While in this country, we all know what sort of people the top leaders are, don’t we?
#3 by Godfather on Sunday, 8 November 2009 - 7:29 pm
Kit:
It’s like wishing that the posts of Chief Justice, or AG, or IGP or the Commissioner of the MACC or the Elections Commissioner all must report to Parliament and be subject to confirmation hearings that are televised to the public.
When that day comes, pigs will fly.
#4 by HJ Angus on Sunday, 8 November 2009 - 7:46 pm
The basic reason that Indonesia has taken more steps to combat corruption is that the government leaders know that the Indonesian voters now wield political power since they had the gumption to change/kick out political parties that ruled for many years.
Malaysians have still not taken that bold step that will return power to the people.
It’s not easy but that is something we have to accept – the government will not change unless we decide to change the government.
#5 by yhsiew on Sunday, 8 November 2009 - 8:57 pm
The Indonesian KPK has won the trust and confidence of Indonesians……(Kit)
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If the Indonesian KPK continues to declare wars on corruption and win the trust and confidence of Indonesians and foreign investors, Indonesia will one day overtake Malaysia economically and politically. For a country to develop and achieve success, it is important to have honest and capable leaders. The Indonesians are lucky indeed to have Bambang Yudhoyono as their President.
After the close of the Suharto era, we witnessed a kind of “awakening” in Indonesia. Its leaders began to take a serious look at democracy and corruption. Their effort to put the country back on the right track has not been in vain. Foreign investments are pouring into the country and their economy is rallying.
After the close of the “ugly” Mahathir era, I wonder when “awakening” will come to Malaysia to lift the gloom and doom of Bolehland.
#6 by boh-liao on Sunday, 8 November 2009 - 9:10 pm
At this moment, it seems impossible n unlikely that MACC, CJ, judges, AG, IGP, msm dare 2 bite de hands that feed them
At this moment, we have de seemingly impregnable Umno wall n Stasi
However, we look forward to a November 1989-like event in M’sia
When all ppl in M’sia will be courageous enuf 2 break n bring down de Umno wall n Stasi
Can this happen within our life times?
#7 by undertaker888 on Sunday, 8 November 2009 - 9:35 pm
Maccgots gain respect from the rakyat? That would be when I am able to expunge coco Chanel kind of fragrant on my regular morning f@rt.
Until then they stink. It is pointless for LKS to ask maccgots to do their jobs. They are in cahoot with BN and it stays. What LKS need to do is keep on exposing their evils to the rakyat and we know what to do.
#8 by House Victim on Sunday, 8 November 2009 - 10:17 pm
No way! If PM is the only driver of the MACC Cart and he forgets his duty!
No way! If Parliament does not have Independent Committee to monitor PM or/and MACC!
No way! If most of the MP are sleeping!
———————————-
The Constitution is not there!
The Ethnic of those Government Officers is not there!
The Awareness and Determination of the People to turn a new page is not there!
Or, cannot be there when the Vote of Public Servants are not independent! The EC is not Independent!
The Courts do not Practice Justice!!
——————————
See How Times “People” appears in the Constitution?
See How Many Times, the “Parliament” appears in the Constitution?
See How Many times, “PM” and “Ministers” are in the Laws/Acts?
————————————–
Malaysia Legal/Disciplinary System – Bar/Polce/AG/IBU or PCB/Judges/CJ cannot even deal with a Notorious lawyer who was paid and do no job and assaults client!!
SHAMES NOT ONLY GOES TO MACC!!
ANY SQUARE INCH OF THE SYSTEM STILL SHINNING?
#9 by tenaciousB on Sunday, 8 November 2009 - 10:30 pm
MACC sounds like PKFZ’s ostracized incestful slut cousin sister! Essentially that warrants no credibility, therefore stop fooling the rakyat and yeah yeah we all know what will happen next, it’ll all get swept under the carpet again as usual.
Your days are numbered Mr.UMNO. Sometimes all evil will come to an end just like in the movies. LOL
#10 by yhsiew on Sunday, 8 November 2009 - 10:36 pm
Picture shows a protester carries a toy crocodile eating a toy lizard during a rally in support of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) in Jakarta. A senior Indonesian police officer who was taped soliciting a bribe likened the KPK to a little house lizard taking on a crocodile. — Reuters pic
Click for picture:
http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/components/com_gk2_photoslide/images/thumbm/800857118_indon.jpg
#11 by GreenBug on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 12:30 am
MACC should start its own internal spring cleaning first by investigating without fear or favour how come the son of MACC Chief, Capt. Ahmad Shauky Ahmad Said, is still employed as a pilot with MAS despite being found guilty of child pornography and paedophile charges in an Adelaide (Australian) Court in February 2008. MACC should do this case first to show to Malaysians its not practising selective persecution. Apamacam MACC, ada berani?
#12 by GreenBug on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 12:33 am
One of the most high-profile case is the RM24 million Balinese mansion belonging to ex-MB Khir Toyol and yet despite several reports made, what has MACC done to date? Nothing, so how can Malaysians be confident of MACC if it doesn’t show it is impartial and not a tool of the ruling regime?
#13 by tenaciousB on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 1:03 am
Mr.Toyol was just suspended, i’m sure he’ll be reinstated just like Mr.isa who also was suspended for money politics but was reinstated to represent bagan pinang. even chua soi lek’s reinstatement is UMNO’s decision.
As long as UMNO is in power, expect these events to recur and be unaccountable for. This is what they called ‘law of the jungle’. LOL i pity the fools!
#14 by johnnypok on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 2:36 am
How can a person with a “crooked” mouth head the MACC?
#15 by tenaciousB on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 4:42 am
Very good question, another good question how did a man with a crooked mind head this country for so many years?
#16 by Jeffrey on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 4:45 am
Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi, KPK based on 2002 Act has (presently) two advantages over our MACC:-
(1) KPK, has the right to initiate investigations into corruption cases on its own, and is accountable to Indonesian Parliament. Our MACC is accountable to PM. On top of that Clause 58 of our MACC Act states that a prosecution for an offence under the MACC Act “shall not be instituted except by or with the consent of the Public Prosecutor(AG)”. Our AG is government’s lawyer, member of cabinet.
(2) Indonesian graft cases are handled by both the state courts and the current Anti-Corruption Court. Whilst state courts are deemed not independent and even susceptible to corruption themselves, the Anti-Corruption Court is KPK’s own. The Anti Corruption Court there is presided by non-career ad hoc judges (many outside lawyers), who currently hold three of the five positions on the court’s bench and are less subject than career judges to corrupt inducements within the system. In this court, KPK has prosecuted on its own and achieved a 100-percent conviction rate in 86 cases of bribery and graft related to government procurements and budgets including those involving 9 members of parliament, a former national police chief, three ambassadors, a senior prosecutor and three central bank officials including the former governor, Burhanuddin Abdullah, as well as the bank’s deputy governor, and has reclaimed a scorching Rp3 trillion (US$284 billion) in ill-gotten gains! In contrast in the case of ours, nothing happened after report of Royal commission on Lingam video clip, not to mention PR losing case all the way over the Perak Assembly constitutional imbroglio.
Confidence in anti corruption agency is a function of public perception. Public perception of KPK is positive because of its record of successful prosecutions of high-ranking govt. officials and previously untouchable members of Indonesian society in part due to its ability to initiate investigations and prosecution independently and have its cases successfully tried in an independent Anti Corruption.
MACC in contrast suffers negative public perception: previous head Zulkipli Mat Noor stepped down in March 2007 amid allegations of graft. Zulkipli denies the allegations, investigation is ongoing but nothing done so far. Nothing also done so far on the “big sharks” reported against about which none brought to brook. The best show case so far the former Land and Cooperative Development Minister (Kasitah Gaddam) was acquitted in August, 2009. Present MACC chief (besides what Johnny Pok described of his mouth) said (when he opened it in the verbatim report of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) that “I do not know what is Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd (KDSB). Only today that I have heard that they are involved (in PKFZ)!” Like that how?
When corrupt practices are ubiquitous as they are in Indonesia and Malaysia, any efforts to address sure produce ‘Why me? And not the other side’ reactions. So it is here where MACC is perceived going after Opposition PR’s assembly men. Why it has now even formed a special task force ostensibly to check misappropriation of funds by elected representatives. To be sure and to show “balance”, it has arrested Umno MP Abdul Rahman Bakri but at the same time they investigate Nik Aziz’s son in law. Detractors think investigation of UMNO’s own is sandiwara. Its very building – Plaza Masalam- is associated with ignominy. There an opposition aide TBH was widely believed flung out of the window in circumstances that remain and promise to remain a mystery.
#17 by Bigjoe on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 8:03 am
There is no way to clean the MACC except to put PR into power. Sdr. Lim has been going around asking for a RCI and structural changes but the truth is for those suggestions to be truly effective to the demands of the public is to throw BN out of power. We have already seen how an RCI just get botched up and they don’t care. We have also see how they put in a new law that does not change much. There is just too many ways to muck around these so called ‘changes’. Look at PKFZ, someone should be hanged or shot by now but instead they are taking hollidays abroad and not answering questions with impunity..
The bottom line is change corruption = throwing the BN out of power.
#18 by Thor on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 8:56 am
Don’t think it will happen!
We all knew well who is in charge of the whole organisation.
MACC and others are just a bluff to everyone.
It’s all in Umno and whoever is the president, is the head of those organisation.
Only an idiot will not admit that!
#19 by ALtPJK on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 8:58 am
If Indonesia can make the right moves to make KPK relatively more effective, there is little apart from will that can stop us to go in the same direction.
So it is down to a question of will – this fight against corruption. Procrastination and selective ‘kid glove’ investigation only lead to a vicious circle. Confidence is a function of public perception, but public perception is a function of efficacy and itself eventually a function of confidence.
#20 by taiking on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 9:10 am
“When will MACC command public confidence to the extent that Malaysians will publicly rally to its support against any obstruction of anti-corruption efforts as is happening in Indonesia?”
No problemo. Umno will immediately orchastrate and choreograph not just one but a series of such movement and even run a year long sloganeering campaign to go with it – something like “I luv Macc” or “Saya cinta pada Macc”. And get angkasawan to pledge his confidence in and support for macc and 1malaysia. And name the next proton model “Sokong macc” (shortened to “Sokmac”). And and direct a certain umnoputra to name his son or cucu Cintamacc bin/bte Someone.
Huh? Ah the costs. Yes the costs. “Just bill it to the people.” “And dont forget to inflate it 1x for me.”
#21 by Dap man on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 9:36 am
But in Malaysia, the MACC, Police, Judiciary and UMNO are one team – united against Law and Order and Justice – to intimidate the people, to jail the innocent, oppress the Opposition and defend the criminals.
#22 by jbozz on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 9:56 am
All the people behind the current PM is like a puppet and circus pet. They are just there to earn free publication and waited patiently to claim their paycheck.
Even though they do good and really mean to do it, people will still doubt about their sincerity therefore, there is no point to play that role.
#23 by k1980 on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 10:15 am
The macc was established soon after umno’s big losses on March 8, 2008. So its hidden agenda is plain for all to see– to regain control of the states lost to PR. So far it has achieved the coup in Perak. Now it is trying its best in Selangor and Kedah.
#24 by SENGLANG on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 11:27 am
MACC has always in denied mode that they are independent and have always take actions on all complaints.
Now, let look at PKFZ. PKFZ is not a new issue. Way back, the Sun reporter Nades has been written and reported with full details but yet MACC( then was ACA) HAS DONE NOTHING as seem this Nades is no a human but ghost and therefore writing ghost story.
We all know along, from the Sun reports, PKFZ has been facing many many irregularities that ACA then can take action, but they chose to either close all their eyes or there was no instruction from the TOP.
This was the perception of the public and it is remain the same perception until and unless some big fish is send to jail( In China they will send straight to Firing Squad).
Next let talk about the annual AG’s reports? Don’t it there plenty to investigate? Yet, all these AG’s report seem to be prepared for fun.
What MACC has to say? They need not to say anything but just do it.
#25 by tenaciousB on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 12:56 pm
Either get rid of the mother of corruption which is BN at the moment, or give the jucidiary system and MACC complete independent jurisdiction.
The above is as impossible as men giving birth. LOL
i pity the fools!
#26 by LG on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 1:06 pm
i would say 80 / 20 % of all Government leaders are corrupted and the PM is no exception.
So what is MACC doing about it? They just close their eyes, their ears and their mouths concerning these big fishes. Why? Because they are employed by these bosses.
They are only good at catching some small fishes just to show that they are doing their jobs. They even spent so much time, energy and resources to investigate a cooked up RM2,400 corruption case.
#27 by helpless on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 3:16 pm
WIth the the recent news of AG is not aware of KD co. involvement in the PKFZ scandal, the corruption with multi-million or even multi-billion Ringgit will get away without charge if not not being fined with nominal fee of one cent. The day of such rally will never happened in Malaysia.
With the ” bribery culture ” get deep into the nerve even the Malaysian young generation,” apa-apa pun boleh” mentality will exist without any radical change.
Only a news of somebody and their close relative family’s asset being confiscated until they are broke as well jailed and at the same time the multi-million or multi-billion ringgit recovered to be distributed back to public as tax deduction, then possibly the confident level toward the MACC will raise overnight.
#28 by ablastine on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 4:07 pm
In the mind of the people of Malaysia, the Malaysian Government which no doubt means UMNO together with the police, the attorney general, the judiciary, the MACC and the royalties all work hand in hand to rob the country, people and future for their own selfish gain. Very soon we will be the sickest of the sick amongst the Asean nation. How much left is there for them to plunder and rape? If the people continues to vote these rotten idiots in they only have themselves to blame.
#29 by boh-liao on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 5:55 pm
Ling, ling, ling, saya tak ingat
Pomp, pomp, pomp, Eusoff n I not guilty
Up, up, up, M’sia’s gross national income up fr US$7,000 to at least US$17,000 by 2020
Can ah?
#30 by Ramesh Laxman on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 6:02 pm
Please do not follow what Indonesia is doing. They have had this problem since the 1980s and are having difficulty getting a hold of it. There are many more countries that have in out life-time overcome this problem and are being rule under the principle of the 3Cs. Consistency, Contunity and Clarity. South Korea and Japan come to my mind because of the Look East Policy adopted by us in 1982. Restitutions keeps coming to mind everytime this subject comes up. We have to look into measures that will hurt them most. Again restitution comes to my mind.
#31 by gofortruth on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 6:36 pm
Its clear as bright day that TBH was murdered by cold blooded animals and they are lurking in MACC. They have no conscience. The very word MACC sends chills to the spine. Its public perception that it only serves the purposes of UMNO. It has zero confidence from the public. It should be shut down IMMEDIATELY. Period!
Start one that is truly serving the public interest please!!!!!!
#32 by k1980 on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 9:32 pm
According to Tony Pua, Koh Tsu Koon replied in parliament that the IGP got high marks for his performance despite drastic increase in crime rates, because increased police efficiency enabled more crime to be reported, and not because crime actually increased!
#33 by carver on Monday, 9 November 2009 - 11:50 pm
Public rally to support MACC? How much would they have to bribe for people to turn up? MACC is not set up like KPK or ICAC to fight corruption. It’s sole purpose is to clear the corrupted of wrong doing. I have yet to see any major busts on multi billion ringgit scandals. They couldn’t even crack a small case involving RM2400 not to mention the witness ending up dead!!! MACC is a joke, a waste of public funds and a disgrace to the country.
#34 by tenaciousB on Tuesday, 10 November 2009 - 3:26 am
Yes IGP got distinction because first time a candidate attempted and succeeded in blowing up a human being in a secondary forest! LOL
Even FBI,CIA,KGB never thought of that daring and ingenious idea. LOL morons!
#35 by taiking on Tuesday, 10 November 2009 - 8:58 am
k1980,
It is like saying that we have more road accidents and that is evidence of the fact our roads have improved and motorist can therefore go faster.
Or that we have more robbery cases and that is evidence of the fact that the country is now richer than before and so more people are in need of more money.
That we failed left right and centre and that is evidence of the fact that we are at the frontline, at the cutting edge of things, a place where failure is to be expected.
That extreme corruption in country is evidence that umno is effective.
That sinful wastage and over-billing of the umno gobermen by umnoputras and umnocronies are evidence that the country is successful and therefore rich.
Wot a load of umno rubbish!
#36 by johnnypok on Wednesday, 11 November 2009 - 5:35 am
MACC = Murder And Cover-up Corruption
#37 by tenaciousB on Wednesday, 11 November 2009 - 1:35 pm
MACC= Mindless Asslickers Condoning Corruption!!
#38 by monsterball on Thursday, 12 November 2009 - 2:54 am
Yes Indonesia is much less corrupted and with greater sense of freedom to their people….by their government.
UMNO simply wants to dictate and rule forever.
One by one…all past cooked countries in South East Asia…are much much more cleaner than UMNO.
We will be governed by the most corrupted….most undemocratic….most racists government…surpassing Vietnam and Cambodia very soon.
#39 by Ramesh Laxman on Saturday, 14 November 2009 - 2:56 pm
Dear YB Lim,
It is your incumbent duty to to request the government to provide a cost/ benfit analysis fpr R&D funds in Parliament. Just giving space for this aricle to be published in your blog does not absolve you of your duties as a Member of Parliament.