The wisdom and intelligence of the rakyat should not be further insulted. The rakyat are the only and absolute masters of all politicians.

On the 31st December 2011, I held a press conference calling for Minister of Women, Family and Community Development Shahrizat Abdul Jalil (currently embroiled in the National Feedlot Corporation controversy) and Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussin (who accepted monetary contributions into his personal accounts ) to resign from all posts.

The reason for my call obvious. To allow a proper audit of any allegation pertaining to malpractice, abuse of powers and corruption against ministers and politicians, the proper thing to do is for them to resign.

By not resigning, there will be a suspicion by the rakyat that they are holding onto power to influence the investigation. Sharizat and Awang Adek must remember, if they are innocent, the authorities will clear them. There is nothing to fear.

In that regard, the rakyat and I welcome the PM's announcement that Shahrizat has taken three weeks leave to facilitate the investigation into the NFC issue.

But that is not good enough and certainly not enough to convince the rakyat that Shahrizat is sincere in facilitating the investigation.

As I have said, the honourable thing to do is for her to resign from her minister's post.

By remaining in the government, they seriously discredit the government's pronouncements made by both the PM and DPM.

Both Shahrizat and Awang Adek who incidentally did not win in the last elections and who entered the cabinet by back door methods, should not be liabilities for the government of Najib Abdul Razak.

To recap what I said in my last press conference, the principal point is that both Shahrizat and Awang Adek have contravened the MACC Act.

In the case of Awang Adek, it is so blatant when he admitted to receiving gratification in his personal account but felt that there was nothing wrong in that.

There is clearly a fundamental flaw in his character and integrity to be able to say that without any feelings of contrition.

I appeal that there be no interference whether political or administrative, from anyone regarding this investigation be it by the MACC or police.

Let the rakyat feel that the least the MACC or police are absolutely independent .

In the case of Shahrizat, she made it so base by openly asking the Press- "Who among the BN leaders have no problems?"

This is a most damaging statement to other BN Leaders, ministers and both the PM and DPM alike - as the saying goes: " Se-sekor lembu membawa lumpur, semua yang lain terpalit " (If there's one muddied cow, the rest of the herd will get dirty).

My advice to Shahrizat and Awang Adek - Do not seek to justify your conduct. The less you both talk, the better it is.

In conclusion I repeat that Shahrizat and Awang Adek have no other alternative but to resign from all posts. Otherwise, they will be one of the many hot topics during GE 13 campaign.

"Humbleness is good virtue, the arrogant shall fall, the meek will rule the world".

Robert Phang Miow Sin is Justice of Peace and Chairman of the Social Care Foundation.