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With Malaysia falling from 57th to 62nd place in Transparency International’s (TI) Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Sultan Nazrin said “an honest assessment of corruption should be mandatory”.
He described corruption as a “cancerous outbreak” in society, which would only lead to unsustainable development, environmental pollution, unequal wealth distribution and leakages in national resources.
“We cannot take it lightly, be complacent or choose to be in denial, creating justifications – performing mental acrobatics – in order to deny the existence of the corruption ‘elephant’ that is vividly clear.
“We are obligated to be bold in acknowledging the ongoing reality of corruption that has reached critical and dangerous levels, based on the repeated warnings contained in the Auditor-General’s Report and various findings of the Public Accounts Committee,” he said.
Sultan Nazrin was launching “Corruption and Hypocrisy in Malay Muslim Politics”, a book written by academic M Kamal Hassan.
He said the number of reports lodged with the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), anonymous letters penned by whistleblowers, and other issues publicised through social media were indicators of the “rampant culture of corruption” in the country.
He said even issues like potholes, clogged drains, illegal encroachment and poorly-managed parks were a reflection of today’s standard of governance.
“The attitude and response towards these issues will determine whether or not corruption is to be addressed with real determination or merely empty rhetoric that is devoid of or not accompanied by meaningful action.
“A responsive attitude that urgently acts to correct and rectify will not only address the abuse of power and poor governance but also heighten the rakyat’s confidence and trust in the government,” he said.
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