There has been much talk on matters related to the the Sedition Act and even proposals of bringing back the Internal Security Act (ISA) recently in order to combat racism and extremism. While I do not deny the significant of such issues, what is more important for us is to tackle the scourge of corruption in the country.

Most Malaysians are moderate-thinking citizens, quite often the root of the problems are politics; on the one hand, politicians wanting to provoke or stir sensitive issues, on the other hand when the authorities took action, it is perceived as ‘selective prosecution’ or some even say ‘persecution’.

After attending or organising forums and talks recently, I am very certain that it is the minority who favor extremism. I am inclined to agree that the public should not be afraid of the laws if they commit no wrong but then again it is a question of potential abuse of power for political purpose.

Corruption stifles the economy, perverts governments and breeds social injustice. The majority of the households in Malaysia recognise that one of the core problems encountered by our country is corruption. They perceive the politicians and enforcement officers to be highly corrupted. Most consider the government’s efforts in the fight against corruption to be ineffective.  

Generally, some consider only the small fishes are charged and convicted.  I urge the relevant authority or ministry to look into it seriously once and for all... and please do not say it is only a few bad apples or black sheeps, it is prevalent!

Ask the rakyats what is the first thing that comes in their mind when they encounter a police road-block? Similarly ask entrepreneurs whether corruption is considered as part and parcel of what they do when they tender projects or even running a car-wash business?

Certain politicians are urged to stop living in denial, after all endemic corruption, abuse of power and the ineffective or weakening of the country’s institutions are some factors that caused Malaysians especially the urbanites to lose faith.

ANDY YONG is deputy Youth chief, Pemuda Nasional Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia.