By KARIM RASLAN
JUSTICE will be an important theme in the upcoming elections. Many Malaysians feel our society is deeply unjust – with the elite (people like myself) enjoying a disproportionate share of the country’s wealth and power, whilst also shirking our responsibilities.
Needless to say, this has made many people very cynical as they watch a parade of well-connected defendants pass through our courts as if they were beyond the reach of the law.
Like it or not, perceptions matter and the prognosis for Malaysia isn’t good. Interestingly – and I know many people will disagree with me – there’s a lot that we can learn from how our neighbour, Indonesia, has dealt with its elite and their transgressions. Recent events have shown the extent to which Indonesian authorities can be remarkably bold in the face of power. Last month, Anas Urbaningrum, the head of the republic’s ruling Democratic Party was formally declared a suspect in the Hambalang Sports Centre corruption scandal by the all-powerful Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Anas was accused of accepting kickbacks (including a Toyota Harrier SUV) in return for help to secure projects. Hambalang in West Java has become synonymous with administrative mismanagement and corruption. Indeed, construction costs have mushroomed from125 billion rupiah (RM40.18mil) to 2.5 trillion rupiah (RM803mil).Cek berita, artikel, dan konten yang lain di Google News