_______________

Press Statement

by Lim Guan Eng

___________________

(Petaling Jata, Monday): Combating corruption as part of Malaysian culture can only succeed by introducing it as a subject in schools as prevention of corruption is more effective than enforcement.  Education Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein rejection of the Anti-Corruption Agency’s (ACA) suggestion as not practical is wrong and shows his innate fear of anti-corruption education. 

If the government is serious about reducing corruption, then ACA is correct in saying it should be taught as a subject in all schooling levels from primary up to tertiary education. Whilst there may be some time constraints in teaching this subject, this will be more than recouped not only from the benefits of stopping the loss of money from corruption but also strengthen the moral fibre of our nation. For this reason, DAP does not see why the Higher Education Ministry refuses to include this as one of the subjects in the university curriculum. 

Corruption has become such a deep-rooted problem within Malaysian society that all efforts to check it has failed whether by establishing the National Integrity Institute or exhortations by the Prime Minister personally to fight corruption. This is shown by the acquittal of former Perwaja Managijng Director Tan Sri Eric Chia of criminal breach of trust and the slip in the rankings for Malaysia of the Corruption Perception Index of Transparency International from No. 39 in 2005 to No. 44 in 2006. Abdullah’s failure to combat corruption is one of the principal causes of public disillusionment with him. 

Allegations of corruption scandals have instead profilerated involving both   Deputy Internal Security Minister Datuk Johari Baharom and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa. Johari was allegedly involved in receiving RM5.5 million to release several suspected criminals held under the Emergency Ordinance. Whilst Musa is now investigated over Malaysia Today blogger Raja Petra Kemaruddin  allegation for receiving RM2.1 million for releasing a group of gangsters from custody and co-operating with Chinese triads involved in protection rackets, prostitution and gambling. 

The refusal by the government to include corruption as an education subject in schools has only reinforced perception that the government is not serious in battling corruption. The cruelest joke is that the refusal to teach this is school comes from Hishamuddin whose father, the late ex-Prime Minister Tun Hussein Onn, was noted for his integrity in fighting corruption.