MAHATHIR: BRIBES WILL DETERMINE WHO GOVERNS

Former PM says this will mean that the government set up following a General Election would be a corrupt government.

(FMT) – Some people say just accept the bribe, but do not give the votes, noted former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad in his latest blog posting. “But whether or not the votes are given, the act of receiving is still corruption and the money remains illegal.”

“When you have promised to give the vote, illicit money and goods received remain illicit. And most likely the money given is also illegitimately obtained.”

Thus, he added, there’s a double sin in accepting bribes.

All of these that happen are no doubt corruption, lamented Mahathir. “But because the (Malaysian) Anti-Corruption Commission is dominated by the corrupt, no action is taken. Corruption in this beloved country is becoming widespread.”

Now corruption has gone up onto the table, charged the former Prime Minister. “It’s becoming a common thing.”

“Whenever power is given, then corruption will occur. In the general election and the by-elections, voters will wait. The magnitude of bribes will determine who governs.”

This will mean that the government set up following a General Election would be a corrupt government, pointed out Mahathir. “Malaysia has been listed among the top ten countries with the highest level of corruption in the world.”

“This is the legacy of a leader of Malaysia.”

The former Prime Minister referred to “someone who considers himself an Islamic scholar (ulama)”. Apparently, the latter said that corruption is not considered a crime under hudud law. “Recompense for this crime will only be received by the perpetrator in the hereafter,” he quoted the Islamic scholar as saying. “The opinion of this scholar will legitimise corruption in the world, even though corruption is forbidden by Islam and hell waits in the afterlife.”

Corruption is considered a heinous crime in human society, continued Mahathir. “Islam condemns those who practise corruption. Their income from bribes is considered income that is illegal. Those who take bribes are actually consuming illicit things.”

He goes through the downside of corruption if it takes root in a society.

Corruption not only raises the cost of everything but also disrupts and delays administration. Countries where corruption is rampant are harder to develop. People will suffer as part of the cost of living is swallowed by bribery. Businesses face uncertain costs which can lead to losses.

Investors from within and from outside are not interested in investing and this reduces employment opportunities and affects economic development.

High unemployment will press down wage rates. Poverty will befall the population because of low income and unemployment.

The national economy will continue to decline.

Indeed, corruption is a misfortune that can befall a nation that is low in moral and shackled by greed, warned Mahathir. “The government established the Anti-Corruption Agency. To some extent this prevented and reduced corruption. Occasionally arrests were carried out by the Agency.”

Focus was on politicians in the government, he recalled. “There were also political bigwigs who were taken action against.”

Their corruption was still under the table, concealed, agreed Mahathir. “Evidence obtained was by way of a luxurious lifestyle that exceeds their income significantly.”

In the ruling party, he stressed, there’s the belief that positions can be an opportunity to enrich themselves. “Thus there are many who use bribery to win posts. The quality of leadership goes down.”

Needless to say, those who couldn’t afford to bribe lost and the leadership was dominated by the greedy and who no longer consider corruption as a contemptuous crime. “It’s under this situation that came leaders who believe money can achieve everything,” said Mahathir.