Money down the drain in Budget 2010 — The Malaysian Insider

ARCHIVES 2009

By adminK On Oct 25, 2009

The MACC’s image is now dirtier than drain water, after Teoh Beng Hock’s death and the probe into suspected abuse of funds in the Selangor government. Even before the MACC came into being, its predecessor the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) never had great success in the courts or its investigations.

THE MALAYSIAN INSIDER

By all accounts, Datuk Seri Najib Razak tabled a solid Budget 2010, one that attempts to cut the deficit while ensuring all sectors get their due.

There were some nice touches — particularly for students and expatriates, their families, farmers, office workers, and a few others. Even heroes have their allowances raised five times. No one was left out.

Even the corrupt will get their due, when the prime minister announced with the formation of 14 Special Corruption Sessions Courts and four special Corruption Appeal High Courts.

Currently, there are only two special courts in Kuala Lumpur and two more in Shah Alam, according to Najib, who said the anti-graft measures are part of the National Key Result Areas (NKRAs).

Najib, who is also finance minister, said efforts to enhance the image of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) would be carried out. These include organising international conferences on combating corruption, awareness campaigns through the mass media, as well as promoting better public relations.

This is really where money is going down the drain, Mr Prime Minister.

Two names come to mind. Tan Sri Eric Chia and Tan Sri Kasitah Gaddam. Both acquitted despite the claims by former prime minister Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of taking on the Herculean task of cleaning up the Stygian stables of corruption.

The MACC has not done much in this regard. And creating more courts or boosting the image of the anti-graft body will not bear any fruit.

All the MACC has to do is seriously investigate cases like the suspect wealth and opulence shown by the likes of former Selangor mentri besar Datuk Seri Khir Toyo, with his travels and mansion. Look into past cases of abuse like the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) or simply pore through Auditor-General’s annual reports.