YOURSAY | Past crimes must be brought to light

YOURSAY | Past crimes must be brought to light

COMMENT | This government should walk the talk

Coward: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's words to civil servants in his first monthly address still set off alarm bells in my head. He practically tells them all that past transgressions (like the one we are discussing now) will be forgotten, implying that from now on they should behave themselves.

I understand that he was trying to create a working relationship. In this aspect, he was consistent with what he said in an interview a long time ago when he was asked to comment about the late Abdul Khalid Ibrahim's working style as Selangor menteri besar. Anwar had said that Khalid's way, which is ensuring past wrongs are corrected, is the right way but noted that he would have done the same as he would let bygones be bygones.

In principle, I disagree with it as I believe what was wrong at the time it was done must not be forgiven or there will be no deterrent effect. However, I also believe that the bad practice has been so rampant that actively pursuing wrongdoers is not an effective use of resources. I will instead deal with them as they come to light. I will do it fairly, likely in a low-key way but people will be held accountable for their actions

However, Anwar is entitled to try his way of governing, but I disliked the idea of a clean slate given to civil servants, and by implication and extension, anyone who did wrong before he took over. I would have used the "Don't ask, don't tell" policy. That is, I would not proactively seek out wrongdoing, but still pursue it if it comes to light.

Now what he said will come back to haunt him. If anything goes wrong with the way this case is handled, what is he going to do? Those involved will tell him you said let bygones be bygones and you should let me off.

Being a seasoned political operator he is going to wheel out the same trick he played with political appointees at government-linked companies. First, bask in the glory of "no political appointee" and then backpedal to say there will be, but they will be competent ones. (This is the way it should be.) In this case, he will tell those involved that he meant he will not proactively pursue any case but if it comes to light, he has to act. But will he?

We will know shortly.

MS: The quiet ‘abang-adik’ arrangement which has come to light, in this case, is not at all unusual but typical of ‘ketuanan’ business practices. It happens all the time because it is an integral part of the much-touted Malay Agenda which features in every Umno general assembly. Anwar knows that as much as anyone with experiences in government and government-linked companies.

If he is set on booking those who profited from these practices, all he needs to do is to issue a clear directive to all ministries and agencies that all contracts without open tenders are deemed illegal while going after every “abang” and “adik” who has made millions and billions over the last three years at least. But since that will spook the you-know-who, he will do no such thing.

magnanimous46: Former prime minister’s department (economy) minister Mustapa Mohamed was one Umno steward that had a clean image but all that fizzled out when he left Umno for Bersatu. However, he was allegedly welcomed back into the fold and rehabilitated and rewarded in the regime formed through the Sheraton Move coup. All those that pulled the plug on the Pakatan Harapan government were anointed in one way or another.

So If the Telekom Malaysia (TM)/KL Tower lease dispute was above board, there is no reason why Mustapa would remain silent. Former multimedia and communications minister Annuar Musa has pointed his finger in the direction of the Public Private Partnership Unit (Ukas) which was in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) when Mustapa was at the helm. Let us hear from the horse's mouth how the lease was handed out on a platter. He is an important witness that ought to be called up by MACC if it wants to get to the bottom, warts and all.

Headhunter: Well said, veteran journalist R Nadeswaran. Corruption is so entrenched that it is not easy to dislodge. Anwar's government still has a lot of known corrupt politicians and civil administrators embedded firmly in it. The country will never be free from corruption until we get rid of these pests. As a first step, project management and tender protocols must be implemented to stop the rot.

Kunta kinte: The one who really should come forward with an explanation is the Perikatan Nasional government. Anwar was never a party of interest and therefore should wait for the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) to complete its investigation. Somehow when Harapan is the government we,. expect a lot more from them but not so with the others. I wonder why.

Robbed!!: This is a very straightforward case. People will be watching how the new government reacts to this. The MACC investigation is one thing but the public needs to know how and why was this decision made, who mooted the idea and what made the owners agree to it.

LimeSinga1592: The government should walk the talk of moving forward. Cleaning rubbish left by the past government is necessary but not a priority - the law must eventually catch up with them to show that crime/ misuse of trust doesn't pay to discourage future such happenings.

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