The Malaysian Insider May 17, 2013
MAY 17 — There is much more that is expected from Transparency International (TI) chief Datuk Paul Low now that he is a minister in the Najib administration.
That Malaysia’s fight to eliminate corruption and be transparent about contracts becomes a reality rather than just a plan or target under its transformation programme.
For too long, there has been criticisms that Putrajaya is not doing enough to fight graft despite setting up corruption courts or beefing up the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
Their record has been spotty at best, prosecuting the so-called small fries rather than the big fish.
Low put it succinctly when he told The Malaysian Insider today, “It’s very easy to be critical…what is the other alternative? Shout from outside? From TI, be an armchair critic? I cannot do it alone…I’m a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department. That gives me stature.”
But Low better up his game, instead of already repeating the Putrajaya mantra that ministers declaring their assets to the Prime Minister and the MACC is sufficient rather than making a public declaration.
“If you tell the public your kid is worth RM20 million, you put your children at security risk, it’s not fair,” said Low.
That example, however, is wrong. Worrying about the minister’s child’s security is laughable because the minister should explain how his offspring earned the RM20 million.
Fact is, no one forces anyone to run for office and their family must be seen to be cleaner than clean if they do any business.
Until today, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s claims against Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and his children’s wealth have not been challenged in court or even taken up by the MACC.
That speaks volumes for the inertia to fight allegations of corruption by political leaders and their families.
Low has his work cut out for him, and that is more than just making policy. He should realise that if he is part of the window dressing, then expect to be dismantled by public scrutiny.
The Cabinet must not carry passengers and the public will want to see action, not hear talk of a better future without ever reaching there.