LETTER | First, the media must be commended for reporting in detail the farewell speech of the outgoing inspector-general of police (IGP) Abdul Hamid Bador.

Second, the IGP deserves our commendation for his courage, conviction, and honour as he has spoken with a conscience the truth long-suspected and shared by ordinary citizens.

Now it is time for all citizens - professional bodies, NGOs, trade guilds, religious heads, and other civil society bodies to demand immediate measures to curb the abuse of power and control practised and secretly shared among politicians.

The interference by politicians and political appointees has been rampant in this country and for far too long. In fact, it has grown into an entrenched, well-oiled, and guarded culture. Period.

What in all likelihood began with the interference in the judiciary decades ago has seeped into all the machinery of government.

Yes, the unsavoury reference, namely, "in Malaysia it is not what you know but who you know" that will get you by is clearly a culture nurtured within the corridors of power.

What the IGP has coughed out cannot be sanitised with reprimands, denials, or empty words. We need parliament to address this. We need civil society leaders and followers to step forward. We need professionals and professional bodies and institutions to pen their perspectives.

We need religious leaders of all faiths to come out from their "political aversion" or tendencies to be politically neutral and demand cleansing as per the dictums they preach and uphold because you cannot lead your congregations to live a sanctified life by being blind to a climate of sinful politics.

We need the corridors of learning to discuss this openly, without fear, favour, prejudices, or even self-interest.

We need the indulgence of our Council of Rulers because all Malaysians still revere the centuries-old wisdom of our Sultanates. It is not about dragging the palace into the whirlpool but reaching out for help.

We need the pillars of governance - the judiciary, executive, and legislature to come to the table with full integrity.

There cannot be another tomorrow because this is the first time in 12 IGPs where the truth has been dished out into the open with courage. Hence, we must not let it go to waste.

The first step in changing for the better is to courageously speak openly about what is wrong in the country.

Malaysians must take responsibility for the future of this nation. Let us together condemn the corrupt values and interfering powers of deceitful politicians with private agendas.

Otherwise, we can kiss goodbye to patriotism.

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.