'Beyond the Year of Scams', , particularly in the light of 's averred intent to fight corruption.
At the outset, it must be reiterated that corruption is a function of both greed and fear. When the benefits of greed exceed the intensity of fear, corruption is imminent, as is the case in our country. Now the intensity of fear is a product of the probability of being caught and the consequences of being caught. In less corrupt countries, the corrupt have a high probability of being caught and when caught, may have to cough out up to three times the loot and serve stiff sentences, all of which make the intensity of fear very high - typically higher than the benefits of greed. In a country like ours on the other hand, particularly for the big crooks, fruits of greed are plentiful, while the probability of being caught is very low and so are the consequences of being caught. In short, unless we try to create systems which ensure that the intensity of fear exceeds the fruits of greed, we are unlikely to be able to tackle corruption.
The practical need now is not so much of a political confrontation, but to see that if the exchequer lost so much, so much should come back to the people as tariff concession and quality service. The instance may script a different political future, but to upset key elements now does not go well with the economy. That is the truth, convenient or otherwise, but we had better get used to it. These are the well-known symptoms of "morning sickness" after the nation conceived the ambition of becoming a global economic power, and I believe the conception was legitimate! Gains are likely to be delivered, but not before a natural period of gestation. Watch it, understand other possibilities, but violent shakeups now can lead to a serious miscarriage of the economy. When the time comes, you may swap the midwives for wives, but till then study the change in the system!
Now that is the theory of corruption. Also in theory, it is not as if the law of our land is silent on corruption. It does provide for sundry punishment for the corrupt. Also, in the imagined 'majesty of law' all are equal. But in practice, the seriously rich and the powerful are far more equal than the lesser mortals! For instance, with the enforcement directorate and the MACC operating as the handmaidens of the Government or the ruling political party, the actual probability of bringing the big crooks to book is very small. Also, even in theory, unfortunately, our laws don't provide for very stringent punishment for the guilty. Rarely does it call for exemplary financial penalties even if that means bankrupting the guilty (think back on all the financial scamsters whether
At the outset, it must be reiterated that corruption is a function of both greed and fear. When the benefits of greed exceed the intensity of fear, corruption is imminent, as is the case in our country. Now the intensity of fear is a product of the probability of being caught and the consequences of being caught. In less corrupt countries, the corrupt have a high probability of being caught and when caught, may have to cough out up to three times the loot and serve stiff sentences, all of which make the intensity of fear very high - typically higher than the benefits of greed. In a country like ours on the other hand, particularly for the big crooks, fruits of greed are plentiful, while the probability of being caught is very low and so are the consequences of being caught. In short, unless we try to create systems which ensure that the intensity of fear exceeds the fruits of greed, we are unlikely to be able to tackle corruption.
The practical need now is not so much of a political confrontation, but to see that if the exchequer lost so much, so much should come back to the people as tariff concession and quality service. The instance may script a different political future, but to upset key elements now does not go well with the economy. That is the truth, convenient or otherwise, but we had better get used to it. These are the well-known symptoms of "morning sickness" after the nation conceived the ambition of becoming a global economic power, and I believe the conception was legitimate! Gains are likely to be delivered, but not before a natural period of gestation. Watch it, understand other possibilities, but violent shakeups now can lead to a serious miscarriage of the economy. When the time comes, you may swap the midwives for wives, but till then study the change in the system!
Now that is the theory of corruption. Also in theory, it is not as if the law of our land is silent on corruption. It does provide for sundry punishment for the corrupt. Also, in the imagined 'majesty of law' all are equal. But in practice, the seriously rich and the powerful are far more equal than the lesser mortals! For instance, with the enforcement directorate and the MACC operating as the handmaidens of the Government or the ruling political party, the actual probability of bringing the big crooks to book is very small. Also, even in theory, unfortunately, our laws don't provide for very stringent punishment for the guilty. Rarely does it call for exemplary financial penalties even if that means bankrupting the guilty (think back on all the financial scamsters whether
Santa's bag is again full of baddies. The so-called festive season kicks off with news of more kickbacks, and the hopeless wait for the promise of 'tidings of great joy, peace on earth and goodwill towards all men'. Women, as you can see, have never entered the beatific picture. This, despite the fact that it's they who now reign over the Christmas imagery. NAJIB AND ROSMA like the Biblical shepherds, are watching over their respective flocks by blight, and the bright star in the east is MAHATHIR BOYS READMORE An inconvenient truth Alcatel bribed KL officials, says US SIDEK'S BOYS - amass wealth in Swiss Banks
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