Ku Li warns of ‘prostitution’ among professionals
The Umno veteran lashes out at professionals for kowtowing to their political masters
Anisah Shukry, FMT
Professionalism is at its lowest point in history, said Umno veteran Tengku Razaleigh Hamzah, citing “prostitution” in the law, police force and education, among others.
“There can be prostitutes in each and every professional practise… people who are motivated by power, lust and greed for which they are willing to sacrifice the sacred trust that society has placed in them,” said Razaleigh.
In a strongly-worded speech at a dinner last night, Razaleigh, popularly refered to as Ku Li, said that unprofessional conduct was “most blatantly evident” in the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“Although established in the midst of much fanfare as part of the government’s reform programme, sad to say, the hopes of the people were dashed soon after it was formed,” declared the Gua Musang MP.
“The people were disappointed when the agency appeared to show interest in petty matters while failing to address more urgent and important cases of corruption.”
The death of two witnesses in the anti-graft agency’s headquarters, he said, had further stirred speculation about the professionalism and integrity of the officials there.
“We are not unjustified in wondering if the agency is really serious about fighting graft, or merely finishing off political ‘enemies’,” said Razaleigh.
He also levelled criticism at civil servants in general for “constantly pandering to political masters”.
He cited their “deafening silence” in cases such as the alleged destruction of the Selangor state government’s records five years ago, after BN lost the state to the opposition coalition.
“Not a whimper was heard from the custodians of public records in this country, despite the fact that they are believed to have their own code of professional ethics,” said Razaleigh.
Judiciary a tool of the executive
He said the trend continues to this day, referring to a case in which a former Directive of the Archives in Sabah made a political statement over the 20-Point point document signed prior to the formation of Malaysia.
“The constant pandering to political masters on their own free will calls into question the extent of their professionalism,” said Razaleigh.
He also slammed the judiciary, maintaining that it had declined in professionalism in“epidemic proportions” since the removal of Tun Salleh Abbas as Lord President in 1988.
Salleh’s dismissal had been sparked by a fallout between Razaleigh and Mahathir Mohamed following a narrow Umno presidential election which the two contested in.
Mahathir grew unhappy with the judiciary when Razaleigh’s supporters filed a suit in the High Court to obtain a court order for new elections, after Mahathir defeated Razaleigh with 761 votes to Razaleigh’s 718.
This eventually lead to a tribunal against Salleh, which found him guilty of, among others, “undermining public confidence in the government’s administration”.
“Since then, the impartiality, independence and basic honesty of the judiciary has been called into question time and time again,” said Razaleigh.
“Since then, the Attorney-General’s Chambers has become the object of public odium, being perceived as a willing tool of the executive.”
Brain drain and racial polarisation
Even the education system was not spared; Razaleigh claimed that it was in “tatters” and placed the blame squarely on the BN-led government’s shoulders for creating the “rot”.
“The drastic drop in educational standards is such that many parents shudder to think of putting their children through the Malaysian school system…
“We may not like to hear it, but the sad truth is that the rot in our education system started with the executive interferences linked to the New Economy Policy,” he said.
