i am out 30

Corruption the chosen system in MalaysiaDr JohnAug 12, 05 1:03pm


I am an overseas national married to a Malaysian for many years. I have been visiting Malaysia regularly for 35 years and it is almost like a second home. In spite of that, however, I read Dr M Musa Bakri's piece about Umno and corruption with a certain amusement. I guess that none of it comes as a surprise. What interests me is the degree of corruption that one country can absorb without seriously undermining its political and economic status. Much depends upon whether the money is spent internally or sequestered into Swiss bank accounts. If the money is mostly spent at home, that has no more effect on the economy than the spending of people who come by their money legitimately. It seems to me that the internal economy in Malaysia is in great part supported by corruption. This goes not just for Umno but the whole of the civil service and the police. And the paying of bribes means that the administration can run cut-price government. So the people have to decide if they would rather pay bribes or pay higher taxes. I think that in Malaysia they would much rather pay bribes. So that will be their chosen ‘system’ of informal taxation for the foreseeable future. What this does politically is interesting. If the people who take bribes are a small oligarchy in government, then there could be a lot of protest and even civil unrest. The government could topple. But if bribes are essential for the income of over 50 percent of the working population then who is going to protest? I think that for better or for worse. Malaysia has woven corruption so deeply into the day-to-day lives of the whole population that it has become the essential ‘lubricant’ for government as well as business. To eradicate it now would bring the country to its knees. As I see it, any radical attempt to end corruption would quickly run into strong resistence from most ordinary people. They may object in principle, but the next time they need a licence or a permit or whatever, they will pay the ‘coffee money’. They have neither the patience nor the inclination to get it the ‘hard’ way.

How true! If you want to get approval fast, go to the office boy or office assistant. This was the advice given to me. Somehow it makes sense. The office assistant can go to see the bosses in the department any time. NOthing to make an appointment. He just pops in his head and says 'Hi Boss! Can you help me?' Or mostly he just hands him the papers need to sign...