OPEN LETTER To Transparency International President and 1,000 delegates to 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) by DAP Parliamentary Leader and MP for Gelang Patah Lim Kit Siang in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, September 3, 2015:
Transparency International President Jose Ugaz made a powerful speech at the opening of the 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) yesterday when he said Malaysia’s commitment towards fighting corruption cannot be taken seriously as long as it did not provide answers to the RM2.6 billion “donation” to the Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s personal banking accounts – who paid the money, why and what happened to it.
Harkening back to the mottos of Malaysia’s founding father, Tunku Abdul Rahman, on “Independence and freedom” and “honesty and integrity”, Ugaz referred to the “corruption crisis” in Malaysia and said:
“As a global anti-corruption movement it is our role to ask questions, to challenge those who abuse their power, to champion those who cannot speak and to engage with those who sincerely wish to change. “Let us recall those two words – honesty and integrity. “What does that mean for Malaysia? The government has taken measures and initiatives to tackle corruption. We will surely hear that from the minister. “We want to see more progress but that cannot happen while there are unanswered questions about the US$700 million that made its way into the prime minister’s personal bank account. “In recent weeks, we have seen the attorney-general who was critical of the government suddenly replaced, the 1MDB task force suspended, investigators at the anti-corruption commission arrested or transferred, and newspapers suspended for reporting on the matter. “These are not the actions of a government that is fighting corruption. “We may well hear promises of reform. That is not what is needed at this time. And promises alone will not restore confidence and trust. “There are two questions that need to be answered: “Who paid the money and why? “Where did it go? “One man could answer those questions. “If that does not happen then only a fully independent investigation, free from political interference, can uncover the truth. “Until that happens, no claim from the government on anti-corruption will be credible. “I stand here today with you and say this is what the people want from government – honesty and integrity.”
In a country which cherished in independence, freedom and sovereignty, the Prime Minister will not receive a mysterious “donation” in his personal account from foreign sources to influence the country’s general election outcome – making it more imperative that Najib should come clean with Malaysians and the world.
This is why no one ever suspected anyone of the five previous Prime Ministers, Tunku Abdul Rahman, Razak, Hussein Onn, Dr. Mahathir and Abdullah Badawi of having received a single sen from any foreign source for anyone of the country’s general elections.
Can Malaysia’s general election and government be bought with a foreign “donation” of RM2.6 billion?
The 16th IACC must demonstrate that it cannot be trifled with, that it has a powerful voice and does not stand alone but has “a common cause with all who speak up against those that would seek to enrich themselves at the expense of the people”.
More is expected of the IACC meeting in Malaysia on the theme “Ending Impunity: People. Integrity. Action” especially on “Action”.
One action that is still open to the 16th IACC is for the 1,000 delegates from 130 countries to send an instant mass signature petition to Najib to attend the IACC to come clean on the “two elephants in the room” in the corruption crisis in Malaysia – the RM50 billion 1MDB and RM2.6 billion “donation” scandals.
It will not be impossible for the 1,000 IACC delegates to sign a joint petition today itself and send it to the Najib by this evening to urge the Malaysian Prime Minister to attend the IACC, whether at the closing ceremony at 6.15 pm tomorrow or at the Farewell Dinner hosted by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to have a dialogue with the IACC delegates on the state of corruption or the battle against corruption in Malaysia.
The 16th IACC theme of “Ending Impunity: People. Integrity. Action” must not prove to be a failure – especially on “Action”.